Assalamu Alaikum All,<br><br>Firstly, I pray that everyone has had a prosperous first month of the semester. InshAllah, we are almost half way done.<br><br>I'm writing to announce that Islamic Relief is teaming up with MSA-United to hold a fundraising concert for impoverished children around the world (Officially billed as <u>Islamic Relief USA & MSA-United Presents the 5th annual Evening
of Inspiration - A benefit concert for children around the world</u>). MashAllah, IR holds an event like this annually but this is the first year MSAs are involved. Consequently, this produces an excellent opportunity for Stevens MSA to get involved and help make a difference. Fortunately, there are a number of ways we can help:<br>
<br><ul><li>MSA United wants to create a video montage of the MSAs involved in this event doing on-campus fundraising. The prime idea suggested was to do a simple 1-dollar-drive, where people go around campus with a box and and ask people to donate a single dollar to help children around the world. This sounds like a pretty fresh idea that could raise a lot of money. Of course, there'd be a video camera following the fundraising. I'd be very interested in doing this, but I need a handful of volunteers to help out. <b>If you're interested in doing this, please email me ASAP.</b></li>
<li>If anyone is interested in actually attending the concert (it's gonna be good, Sweden's MAHER ZAIN and the Washington DC based NATIVE DEEN will be there), please let me know. I need a solid number of attendees before ordering tickets. Just shoot me an email, and I'll tell you the ticket price, etc. Apropos, the event will take place on Saturday October 30th, in Raway, NJ.</li>
<li>If you would like to volunteer your help AT the event itself (lots of logistics need to be taken care of: handling the doors, dealing with guests, etc), please let me know as well. I'll most likely be there, but I need a few more people with me to represent Stevens.</li>
</ul>InshAllah, this is a great opportunity to strengthen your Iman by contributing to your Ummah. The following Hadith comes to mind:<br><br><br><blockquote style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;" class="gmail_quote">
<b><i>The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Every
Muslim has to give in charity." The people then asked:
"(But what) if someone has nothing to give, what
should he do?" The Prophet replied: "He should work
with his hands and benefit himself and also give in
charity (from what he earns)." The people further
asked: "If he cannot find even that?" He replied: "He
should help the needy who appeal for help." Then the
people asked: "If he cannot do (even) that?" The
Prophet said finally: "Then he should perform good
deeds and keep away from evil deeds, and that will be
regarded as charitable deeds."</i> - Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 524</b>
</blockquote><div><br>It's ultimately up to you how much you want to make of this opportunity. If you have any questions about anything outlined above, feel free to let me know.<br><br>Jazakullah,<br>Waqar Khokhar <br>
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