Investment For Hereafter – Dates Distribution Project In Ramadan 2010

Dear Brother and Sister in Islam, Assalamu Alaikum,

“Fear the Fire, even if by giving half a date in charity” (Hadith)
“Charity extinguishes Allah’s wrath as water extinguishes fire” (Hadith)

If you read any hadith that talks about Sadaqah, Dates takes a unique status. Dates are not only part of our unique Islamic identity, it serves as the primary source for Ifthar for millions of Muslim Ummah.

Our Masjid and Religious Institutions overflow with dates during Ramadan for distribution. But the question is “Are all these dates distributed in deserving quantities, to the deserving parties”. Some of us get loads of dates while some in particular the reverts, our new brothers and sisters in Islam and the our fellow Muslims living in non Muslim areas never get or never get enough.

During this Ramadan, DA’WAH CORNER TRUST launches its Date Distribution program with the special focus on addressing this issue. It specially targets areas where Muslims live as pockets surrounded by non Muslims as well as reverts (remain low profile fearing discrimination).

Our target quantity of distribution is 2000 packs each weighing 2kg. We hope this Insha Allah would suffice the ifthaar need of a single family.

If you are an individual or a person representing an organization who would like to take a part in this noble effort:

1. You can supply dates for us in whatever quantities. You can handover to the dates to our storing facility at 108 (152/2), 1st Stage, Badaowita, Mt. Lavinia or tell us where to pick them from OR
2. You can even help us through financial means to buy dates through depositing to our bank account at Commercial Bank or through a bank draft/check payable to DA’WAH CORNER TRUST.

Our account details:

Account name: DAWAH CORNER TRUST
Account number: 1930017102
Bank name: Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC.
Bank Address: “Commercial House” No. 21, Bristol Street, P.O. Box 856, Colombo 1, Sri Lanka.
Swift code: CCEYLKLX

If you are a donor from the Middle East region, you may encounter some problems in which case you can always send them to DA’WAH CORNER TRUST’s secretary’s (Sister: Khadheeja Sudarshani) account given below:

Account name: M.K.N SUDARSHANI
Account number: 8480027907
Bank name: Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC.
Bank Address: “Commercial House” No. 21, Bristol Street, P.O. Box 856, Colombo 1, Sri Lanka.
Swift code: CCEYLKLX

After deposit to the contribution to the bank, please be kind enough to send us the scanned copy of the deposit slip of post it or else give a phone call. We seek your attention in this as to issue the acknowledgement receipt.

Please feel free to call us if you need any further information.
May Allah accept intentions and our deeds.

Wassalam,

Anver Manatunga

DA’WAH CORNER Is 1 Year Old

A year ago, you may recall an email about the opening of DA’WAH CORNER. I am sure that you must have never heard of any such institution until that email.

When looking back at the journey so far, we see we are a stronger and more matured institution with lot of lessons learned.

Many questions were raised about our inception. Some asked why another organization, what is our ideology and who support us and many more. While some didn’t questioned (though they had every right to so) but supported wholeheartedly with the total trust upon us.

We didn’t know what Allah’s plan for us was when we started. We put the total trust on Him and worked on His path. But now, after a year, when we look back we have taken, we clearly see the path through which Allah has helped us. Indeed All Praise is due to Allaah without whose help we can never ever come to this level.

Today, DA’WAH CORNER is a spring to those who are in thirst to seek the truth of Islam. And it’s a tree that gives shade to those who have embraced the true path and strived in Allah’s cause with lot of difficulties and hardships. DA’WAH CORNER showed the clear direction for those who are die for opportunities to strive in Allah’s cause, in spreading His word among mankind. In fact, some admitted that our website (www.dawahcorner.org) serve as a Da’wah Academy for them. This is by no means a ordinary feet. Success comes from Allah alone.

Let me take this as an opportunity to thank each and every one of you who supported us and helped us for every request and plea we made for Allah’s sake. We pray that Allah reward you in abundance for your intention and effort no matter how small was.

We hope we have acted justly in performing our duties through your support. We sincerely hope and pray that you will continuously support in our efforts in Allah’s path.

It is indeed a pleasure to inform you that we have a formed DA’WAH CORNER TRUST, a charity organization to better serve reverts and needy Muslims. This institution has the following objectives:

OBJECTS OF THE TRUST

a)                 To relieve financial hardship, sickness and poor health amongst needy and poor reverts, empower poor and needy people and uplifting people’s lives throughout the Sri Lanka.

b)                To engage in social development works such as providing houses and food for needy reverts.

May Allah Reward you for intention and effort.

Anver Manatunga

DA’WAH CORNER

Financial Support Guidelines

This document is intended to serve following objectives:

• Will assist Da’wah Corner in offering financial help for new Muslims.
• Will serve as a knowledge snippet to the rest of Da’wah community. As an organization which introduces innovative solutions, we are obliged to share our learning experiences with other Da’wah organizations and help them grow. In turn serve as a guideline for other organizations when offering financial support for new Muslims.

Introduction

Many who embrace Islam do not have sound financial backgrounds. Except for fortunate few, new Muslims usually face various problems after embracing Islam. Some are driven from home, hated by relatives and/or distanced by friends. Some others lose their jobs thus find no means of living and face severe economic hardship.

Da’wah is not only inviting people to Islam. In times like these where there is no proper Islamic social framework to support new Muslims, the responsibility of looking after reverts is on us, the Da’ees. We have to be sensitive of these issues and strive our best to help revert brothers and sisters. It is our obligation to uplift them both in terms of spiritual, social and economic aspects.  This was a unique feature of Prophet’s society in Madeenah. The society we all are trying to achieve.

When a person embraces Islam, he or she should been as an example to rest of the community in particular his/her pre Islamic society. The person should be seen as financially capable and competent not as loser because of embracing Islam.

What we do when a person needs financial support

Many visit DC seeking help of financial nature. Some are genuine while some are not. Being a Da’wah organization which is concerned about how the funds are utilized effectively, we have the responsibility of verifying every case for its genuineness before committing on any financial help.

DA’WAH CORNER adopts the following strategy to analyze every case to ensure its authenticity:

• Speak to the person who is need by questioning why they need, have they made any other effort to raise that amount before, have they reached any organization for support, if so, what are the places and people contacted and what their responses.
• Keeping records of the person (Name, contacts etc.), in order to cross check with other organizations.
• Checking the Islamic knowledge of the person in relation to the history of that person being a Muslim (ex: A person being a Muslim for the last four months but do not know the Suraah Fathihah, we probe further).
• When a person comes with the problem and the solution, we dig the history of the efforts the person has made to come out the problem, how practical the solution have been. In the case of the solution is impractical, we advice the person with our alternative. (ex: If a person comes for financial support to start a new business and the history of his business ability proves unhealthy, we support him in every way to find him a job and further ask him to make Du’a to Allah to make things easy for him because every thing lies with Allah and we cannot do anything without will)
• When a person comes with debt and interest (riba), we make the best of efforts to talk to the financial institutions to reduce the interest rates. If the person taken loans from relatives, we request the lenders to ease the person concerned from debt and interest. We never encourage anyone with debt to invest more in business. We advice them to settle the loans first.
• After the person presented case we make the visit to his/her place without prior notice and also we make visit to the local masjid and get further details on his relationship with the Masjid, any history of financial help provided my the Masjid or by the people of jaamaah in that area.
• If the case is proved authentic (based on the verified information), we do the best we can and if further support needed we request from donors for further support.
• If a situation arises where we cannot offer help because the case is not genuine, we explain them the reason to decline, making every effort not to hurt the person’s feelings.
• As a policy we don’t offer loans. But whenever we offer financial support, we offer that as a “loan” to give them a sense of accountability. But if the person succeeds in the effort, we write off the “loan”.
• After the financial help is given (ex: Investment made to buy equipments for a new Muslim), we make the visit to see how effective the solution has been.

If you are a person willing to contribute or support us:

• As a potential donor (individual or organization), you have every right to get as much information as needed prior to making any donation or extending any other support.
• Once the donation is done, the donor can request any report from DA’WAH CORNER to know how the funds are being utilized.
• If any needy case was initiated and handled through DA’WAH CORNER, the related contribution or donation should be done through DA’WAH CORNER only.

On the other hand DA’WAH CORNER will maintain total transparency of handling all donations and funding with its donors.

How can you contribute?

You can contribute to this noble cause by:

• Sadaqa

Helping a new Muslim leads to continues Sadaqa even after the death of a person (Sadaqathu Jaariyah). You can contribute your Sadaqa through Da’wah Corner.

• Zakaath

Muallafathul Quloob (New Muslims) is a category that deserves Zakaah. If you are a person who would like to contribute this portion to this category, you can always do through Da’wah Corner.

• Donations

These are the donations in Allah’s cause.

You can direct all your contributions to Da’wah Corner bank account

Account name:           DAWAH CORNER

Account number:      8930016456

Bank name:                   Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC.

Bank Address:              “Commercial House”

No. 21, Bristol Street,

P.O. Box 856, Colombo 1,

Sri Lanka.

Swift code:                     CCEYLKLX

My early days as a new Muslim was filled with sheer guilt and sadness when I think of what I can do or done for my new found faith. We were passionate to take Islam to others, tell others how happy and content we are. But we lacked means, freedom and support to carry out this noble duty. But things have changed now. Alhamdulillaah, Allah has helped us to make this difference. We have grown stronger, more skilled and capable. The question now is what we CAN’T do for the sake of Islam. This indeed is a blessed accomplishment.

We, together with you would like to build upon these strengths and take this Da’wah work to a whole new level. You can join us at DA’WAH CORNER and help us in many ways listed below:

Da’wah through mails

What is Da’wah through mails means?

During the life of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), he has sent over 300 letters to various rulers, kings, emperors and leaders inviting them to Islam. This proved one of the most effective ways of taking the noble message to others.

At these present times it is vital to understand the importance of this approach and put it into practice for best results. At DA’WAH CORNER, we send a leaflet having a biographical sketch of Our Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to potential Muslims. We wish to expand this and you can also join us in the following ways:

1.  You can share with us the mailing addresses of your non Muslims relatives and friends. By doing so we can share with them the true message of Islam

2.  You can assist us financially to buy the needed stationary for this mailing effort (stamps, envelopes etc.)

3.  If you are a sister, you can visit us at our office and help us in preparing these mails (folding leaflets, writing addresses, pasting stamps etc.)

4.  You can also respond to many mails we get from various individuals who are interested in Islam

5.  You can provide the business directories to reach wider recipients.

Da’wah through the Internet

DA’WAR CORNER, as an institution which realized the need of propagating Islam through electronic means, has launched two websites.

www.sihalamuslims.org, serves as a portal for anyone who like to know about Islam and its basics.

www.dawahcorner.net is a one stop research website where all the research artifacts are maintained. This is the first Sinhala Unicode Islamic website where anyone (Muslims and non Muslims alike) can share their views, opinions and ideas freely.

6.  You can introduce these websites to your friends and relatives.

7.  You can share with us the email addresses of your friends.

8.  You can also respond to the comments made in these emails (provided you have the sound knowledge of Islam and know the etiquettes of Da’wah)

9.  You can also post your comments and emails to these websites

1. You can assist us with your Sinhala type setting skills in translating and writing Islamic articles.

Da’wah through Yahamaga Monthly

Yahamaga Islamic Monthly is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka which serves as primary means of taking our voice to the non Muslims. Diverse in its contents, Yahamaga contains news, social, economic, sports and current affairs analysis and many more features. You can contribute for this effort in the following ways:

1. You can contribute through writing Sinhalese articles
2. You can help us being a distributor among the non Muslims
3. You can purchase copies and distribute freely among the non Muslims
4. You can do a large scale mass distribution to libraries and organizations
5. If you are skilled in Sinhala typing, you can type articles for us
6. Also you can introduce people who can volunteer in writing articles
7. You can assist us with your multilingual and translating skills by translating articles from English/Tamil to Sinhalese.
8. You can help us by designing page layouts through using your graphic designing skills
9. If you are a frequent traveler, you can be a distributor to those around you. Even you can help sending Yahamaga to the people living or working abroad.
10. If you have a vehicle, you can use them to distribute this newspaper to various parts of the Island.

Da’wah through Dharmagaveshana Book Project

Dharmagaveshana Book Project was launched in year 2009 to serve two objectives in mind. Firstly to equip Muslims with the essentials of comparative religion. We believe this will enable the Muslims with the necessary know how when dealing with the non Muslims.

Secondly, to give non Muslims who are in constant thirst about Islam, a comparative view related to their own religions and beliefs.

You can assist us in this effort in the following ways:

1. You can purchase books and distribute among non Muslims on read-and-return basis
2. You can purchase them and give as a gift to the non Muslims
3. You can sell these books among various people, libraries and other institutions
4. You can read and send your research comments to its author
5. You can also send your comments and constructive criticisms to the author. This will help him revise and update as necessary and also accommodate any changes in future editions
6. You can help typing the books (new titles in the series and future editions) in Sinhalese.
7. You can help by translating these books to other languages such as English and Tamil
8. You can find us project donors for this project
9. You can be the area distributor for these publications
10. You can provide us with books of other religions and beliefs
11. You can design the cover page of these publications using your designing skills

Da’wah through Sticker Campaign

There are many people who are eager to know Islam but find no place where they can feel comfortable and free knowing Islam. These stickers with its attractive admonitions and contact details serve as a landmark on where to find more about Islam.

You can help this sticker campaign in various ways:

1. You can help us pasting the stickers in buses, trains, three-wheelers and other means of public transport.
2. If you are not in a position to do the above, find us people to carry out this effort
3. Since these stickers are pasted in many places and in many ways, you can act as a coordinator for a whole sticker campaign effort
4. If you have means and finance to sponsor the printing of stickers, you are most welcome to do so.
5. If you have a vehicle, you can paste the sticker promote our Da’wah work

Da’wah through Pennants Campaign

Many hotels and eating places in Sri Lanka belong to the Muslims. Turning this strength into an opportunity, DA’WAH CORNER has launched the Pennant campaign to give people an instant invitation to Islam.

You can help us in this pennants campaign through the following ways:

1. You can help us by volunteering to installing the pennants in the hotels and other eating places
2. You can also hang these pennants in your organizations and other private institutions
3. You can also help us both financially and physical means in making these pennants

Da’wah through Newspaper Advertisement

Using the newspaper media is another effective way of propagating Islam. DA’WAH CORNER’s monthly advertisements in various newspapers help non Muslims to find a place where they can learn more about on Islam.

You can assist this Da’wah effort in the following ways:

1. You can sponsor for an advertisement on behalf of DA’WAH CORNER
2. You can help us designing the advertisement with your flair for creativity
3. Many people respond/contact us as a result of these adverts. You can

help us replying these responses

Da’wah through Mobile Islamic Bookstall

Mobile Islamic bookstall is a means of giving the message of Islam to both urban and rural areas. Through the bookstall, DA’WAH CORNER uses every opportunity to give Islamic books for an affordable price and this creates a climate for the people to discuss and know more about Islam. We use places like vicinity of libraries, exhibitions, markets and other places where people gather for their various purposes.

1. You can find a place in your area to install the bookstall
2. You can help us by volunteering at the event where the bookstall is installed (ex: Exhibition, Carnival, Trade fair etc.)
3. If you have a vehicle, you can assist by transporting books and other stuff needed to setup the bookstall
4. You can help us giving discount for the books
5. You can provide us with information on the venues/events that the bookstall can be setup (ex: Carnival, exhibitions, trade shows venues and dates)

Door-to-Door Da’wah

Door-to-Door Da’wah is an open method of Da’wah where we visit every  house and make the invitation to Islam.

You can assist us in this activity in the following ways:

1. You can be a team member for the Door-to-Door Da’wah activity
2. You can assist by giving transport for the Door-to-Door Da’wah team
3. You can be a sponsor for the books distributed as part of this effort
4. You may be a person who sincerely wants to give Da’wah to your neighbors but never had the opportunity to do so. By organizing a Door-to-Door event in your area, the team will do it for you.

One-to-one Da’wah

One-to-one Da’wah is a more focused and interactive form of Da’wah where we speak to the individual and invite him/her to Islam. You can help us in the following ways in this:

1. You can fix appointments between your friends with Brother Anver to introduce them to Islam
2. You can do the needful for those who like to know Islam from us
3. You can find us a house of a Muslim to conduct this One-to-One Da’wah activity

Da’wah through Pamphlets

Pamphlets are an effective means of giving a glimpse of Islam in a short and snappy way.

You can assist in this effort in the following ways:

1. You can distribute these pamphlets in the bus, trains and among the non Muslims.
2. You can also give the pamphlets to your Muslim brothers/sisters (as a gentle reminder of obligation) to distribute among the non Muslims
3. Pamphlets are the most widely used in mass Da’wah. You can help us financially and through physical means to print them.

Free Books Distribution

Reading triggers curiosity. A curious mind is receptive to the truth and that’s what we are trying to achieve through free books distribution program.

You can contribute to the free books distribution in the following ways.

1. You can find good Islamic books for free distribution
2. You can help transporting the books to the designated location
3. You can give us the contacts of those interested in Islam so that we can do the needful to give them the materials
4. One of the major costs of this Da’wah activity is the cost incurred when distributing books by post. Our Da’wah reaches every part of the country and the cost incurred is also huge. You can help us by being a sponsor for these distributions by bearing these costs.

Sinhala Da’wah Academy

Sinhala Da’wah Academy is established to equip the Muslim Da’wah workers with the necessary language expertise needed to effectively do Da’wah among the non Muslims in particular to the Sinhala speaking masses.

1. If anyone in your area interested in Da’wah activities, you can invite them for the capacity building workshops organized by DA’WAH CORNER
2. You can also benefit from participating in such workshops and develop your Da’wah skills
3. You can introduce Muslims who have the passion for Da’wah
4. If you have Da’wah materials (you think will be useful), you can share with us

Audio/Video Unit

Audio/Video Unit at DA’WAH CORNER provides the technical infrastructure for recording and disseminating Islamic knowledge using audio visual means. You can assist us in the following ways:

1. You can use your technical expertise to record Brother Anver talks and lectures. You will have all the needed equipments
2. You can use your video editing skills and upload these talks and lectures to the internet

Da’wah through Audio/Visual Media

Audio/Visual Media unit at DA’WAH CORNER is established to promote Islam using media technology both in city and outskirts. You can help us in the following ways:

1. You can organize wide-screen lecture events/Islamic documentaries for the non Muslims in your area
2. You can assist us by providing transport of equipments for such events
3. You can volunteer to be a team member in organizing and running these events
4. If you are creative, you can assist us providing your creative insights for making Islamic documentaries and other presentations

Da’wah through Religious Research Library

Da’wah through DC’s Religious Research Library is formed to give its readers a wide range and depth knowledge on Islam and other religions. Da’ees and those are interested in doing Da’wah will find this facility full of information.

This also will provide a research facility to those who are interested in conducting their research.

1. You can introduce the non Muslim friends to the Religious Research library.
2. You can contribute with books that you find useful
3. You can be a part of the library volunteer group

Da’wah through Awareness program

The main objective of Da’wah through Awareness program is to wipe off the misunderstanding about Islam and Muslims in non Muslim mind. This in turn will create a climate where the non Muslims will be supporting friends rather than ignorant foes.

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1. You can assist us by organizing Islamic Awareness programs in your area
2. You can also provide refreshments for these awareness programs
3. You can act as a volunteer for the event
4. You can provide transport for organizing and conducting these events

Dawah through Branding

1. You can lend us your business places (restaurant counter, kiosk in a public place, etc.) to do a complete branding with DA’WAH CORNER

Da’wah through Interfaith Dialogue

Da’wah through Interfaith Dialogue is a means of creating a common ground between faiths. Also this helps to create mutual understanding between faiths and nurture inter-religious harmony. Interfaith Dialogue effort of DA’WAH CORNER is initiated with these objectives in mind. You can help us in the following ways:

1. You can invite Brother Anver to represent Islam/Muslims (in give a talk or a presentation) in your area’s or organization’s multi-religious events.
2. You can help us by providing transport for these events.
3. You can help us being a volunteer in organizing and running the event.

Apart from the above, you can help us in the following

1. You can emphasize the importance of Da’wah to the Muslims, and tell them about the activities of DA’WAH CORNER and invite them for a lasting bond as a supporting member for DC’s Da’wah work.
2. You can invite Brother Anver for your get together and special events to share his insights on Da’wah situation in Sri Lanka, what our role and obligations as a Da’ee
3. You can install Sadaqa tills to raise money for DA’WAH CORNER’s Da’wah activities
4. Those who are proficient in various skills such as video editing, hardware engineering etc. can volunteer to be part of DA’WAH CORNER technical team
5. If you are a lawyer, accountant, you can share with us your knowledge and skills and help us in the respective areas (ex: legal aspects of publishing, financial accounting & auditing)
6. If you are a retired person, you can dedicate a portion of your time for DA’WAH CORNER’s activities
7. Nothing can be as powerful as making Du’a to Allaah. You can make Du’a for DA’WAH CORNER for its success.

None of us can claim that we are immune of making Da’wah. It was an obligation upon the messengers, Our Noble Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) and it remains an obligation to all of us until the Day of Judgment.

We Muslims cannot say that we are not well versed of D’awah and the non Muslims cannot say that they didn’t know and no one came to them with the message of Islam (after doing Da’wah activities at DA’WAH CORNER).

With the list given above, we have made the humble attempt to make Da’wah easy for you. We hope Insha Allah, this list will serve as a guideline in your Da’wah effort and earn the reward from Allah.

Khadheeja Sudarshani

Secretary

DA’WAH CORNER – SRI LANKA

Department of distribution of free books

There was a big demand and responds from the non Muslims to know about Islam. To take responsible for this matter is Da’wah through mails (http://www.dawahcorner.org/da’wah-through-mails/), Three wheeler Vehicle (http://www.dawahcorner.org/three-wheeler-vehicle-speaks/), Yahamaga Mothly Islamic paper (http://www.dawahcorner.org/here-comes-the-yahamaga-monthly-islamic-sinhala-news-paper/), Mobile Islamic bookstalls (http://www.dawahcorner.org/page/2/), Sticker campaign (http://www.dawahcorner.org/sticker-campaign-dc/) and news paper advertisements.

Whenever they contact us we request them to write to us. Then we obliged with the book of “Introduction of Islam” and the people who are advance knowledge, we visit them. As a result of this we were able to visit wide and for remote areas. The certain people use to say we were searching Islam for last twenty years. They were very much happy to receive a copy of Sinhala translation of Al-Qur’an.