Successful Gala Dinner Raises Over £30,000

On Saturday, 19th October, Almanaar hosted a successful Gala Dinner to raise funds for its Endowment Project. The event, attended by members of the local community from diverse backgrounds, raised over £30,000, which will contribute directly to the ongoing project aimed at ensuring sustainable income for the organization’s services and activities.

The program featured Quranic recitations, a nasheed performance by local youth, and speeches from religious scholars. Almanaar’s CEO, Br. Abdurahman Sayed, delivered a detailed presentation outlining the organisation’s mission, the significance of the endowment project, and the importance of sustainable income for maintaining community services.

Speakers also included Almanaar’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Kasim Ali, and local MP, Mr. Joe Powell. Both emphasized the strategic role Almanaar plays in serving the community and stressed the importance of continuing these efforts. Mr. Ali highlighted additional projects that he and the Trustees are eager to implement, including a funeral service and other schemes, which will provide vital support to the community.

Sh. Dr. Faid gave a talk on the legacy of ‘Waqf’ (Islamic endowment) and the spiritual rewards of contributing to such projects. He led by example with the first donation of £1,000.

Handcrafted items, traditional dresses, paintings, and calligraphy by local artists were also auctioned in support of the project.

The Endowment Project aims to fund the purchase of a ground-floor space in a newly built building for £580,000. The space will be used for community services, including a nursery, to generate sustainable income for Almanaar’s programs.

With the £30,000 raised at the Gala Dinner, the total amount secured now stands at approximately £430,000, leaving £150,000 needed to reach the target. Almanaar plans to dedicate the next few Fridays in the coming weeks to further fundraising efforts.

See highlight video here: Almanaar WAQF Gala 2024

For anyone who wishes to donate towards the endowment project, you may do so either through a one-off bank transfer or in instalments. Please use the bank account details below and include the reference ‘waqf’.

Bank Details:
Account Name: The Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre Trust
Account Number: 51001136
Sort Code: 60-15-33
IBAN: GB04NWBK60153351001136
Swift Code: NWBK GB2L