Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, August 2009, page 63
Muslim American Activism
Anti-Apartheid Hero Praises Zakat Foundation’s Work
ZAKAT FOUNDATION, an international charity organization, held its first “Solidarity Through Generosity Banquet” on May 23, in Bridgeview, IL to present its most recent charitable work to donors and local community leaders. More than 300 guests were in attendance to hear South African anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Kathrada, a close friend of Nelson Mandela, speak of his fight against the oppression and injustice of forced racial segregation. Kathrada called for support in areas around the world where similar struggles are taking place.
In his speech, Kathrada said that racism works to destroy not only freedom, but also the dignity and humanity of its victims and abusers alike. No wealth in the world, he stated, can replace the dignity of a human being. Despite the hardship of his imprisonment for 26 years, Kathrada said that he had found solace and brotherhood living with prisoners of different races and backgrounds. “Bitterness, anger, hatred, revenge are all negative emotions,” he noted, “and the ones who harbor those emotions are the ones that suffer the most, not those whom the emotions are aimed against.” He went on to praise Zakat Foundation for its work in severing the roots of poverty in some of the poorest communities around the world.
Zakat Foundation raised more than $70,000 to go toward its relief and development programs around the world. Executive director Khalil Demir thanked guests for coming out on Memorial Day weekend to enjoy the family gathering and show their support for Zakat Foundation.
“Without your help and prayers for these last eight years,” he said, “Zakat Foundation would not be able to reach poor and needy men, women and children in the United States and abroad.” Zakat Foundation fosters charitable giving to offer relief, education, and development to those in need. Demir concluded by describing Zakat Foundation plans for the near future, including running a free vocational school set to open at the end of the year in Bridgeview, IL
—Amira Murphy
