Dear Friends,  Family and Well-wishers,
"And when We made a covenant with the children of Israel: You shall not serve any but Allah and (you shall do) good to (your) parents, and to the near of kin and to the orphans and the needy, and you shall speak to men good words and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate. Then you turned back except a few of you and (now too) you turn aside". [Qur'an 2:83, Shakir]

Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said: "There is no Angel in the Heavens or earth who does not beg Allah for permission to go to the Ziyarat of the grave of Imam Hussain a.s. There is always a multitude descending (at Karbala) and a crowd ascending (back to heavens)".

The war and acts of terrorism in Iraq have destroyed lives, created orphans, and left appalling poverty in their wake. This is the same land where Imam Hussain (a.s.) and his companions were mercilessly martyred and children orphaned. Inevitably children suffer the most.

This Arbaeen I’m humbled to be walking from Najaf to Karbala, insh'Allah for Noor Trust’s Urgent Relief Fund and I'm dedicating my walk in the remembrance of the Holy Household (a.s.) who were shackled and paraded in chains through the streets of Kufa (Iraq) and Damascus (Syria) – where they were abused by crowds until eventually presented to Yazid and placed in prison.

I humbly ask you to please help me reach my target of $5000. Through your generosity you can help make the lives of many of these children easier. Every donation counts – Every donation, no matter how large or small, helps Noor Trust continue to make a real difference in the lives of these orphans.

It’s heartbreaking to see young children desperately trying to act as parents to their young brothers and sisters. Many may end up scavenging for food just to feed themselves.

Please consider supporting Noor Trust financially. I recommend a gift of $50, $100 or $150, but of course, any amount is more than welcome. Imam Ali (a.s.) said: "Do not feel ashamed if the amount of charity is small because to refuse the needy is an act of greater shame".