Islamic milestone to help children’s charity program

by Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
   Like other students in her class at the Noor-ul-iman school, when 8-year-old Hana Iqbal finished reading the Quran for the first time, her parents had a party for her.
   Unlike many of her classmates though, Hana decided that she wanted all the presents to go to other children who need them.
   Through their efforts, Hana, and her parents, Sofia and Naveed Iqbal, raised approximately $3,000 in donations from those who attended Hana’s party, in lieu of presents. Ms. Iqbal said that the first complete reading of the Quran is a milestone typically marked by a celebration, much like how Christians would celebrate a child’s confirmation or Jews a child’s bar or bat mitzvah.
   The money raised at the party has been donated to the Children in Need program of Islamic Relief USA. The charity aids needy children around the world by helping to provide education, health care, sanitation and other support.
   Ms. Iqbal said she and her husband have made it a point to instill a sense of community service in Hana and her 6-year-old brother, Humza.
   ”Islamic tradition says to give a portion of your wealth away as a charitable donation,” Ms. Iqbal said. “Our children are a little too young to completely understand, but we wanted to instill it in them. We wanted them to get used to the idea of supporting their community.”
   Hana said she was excited to be able to help other children around the world.
   ”It was really good. I feel happy about it,” Hana said.
   Ms. Iqbal said Hana specifically told her that she wanted to help children when they decided ask for donations instead of presents.
   ”She knows that there are children out there that are less fortunate,” Ms. Iqbal said. “She wanted to help support their education, their nutritional needs, their medical care.”
   Hana said that she hopes the money will help those in need.
   ”I thought it would be nice to give to poor children so they won’t be poor anymore,” she said.
   For more information on the Children in Need program or Islamic Relief USA, visit the organization’s Web site at www.irw.org.