SCHOOL AND MADARIS FEEDING PROGRAMS TERM 2 2024

In communities where food insecurity is a persistent challenge, access to nutritious meals is essential for the well-being and educational success of children. At Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya, we have sustained our commitment to providing vital nutritional support to students in Madaris and pre-primary schools with generous backing from our long-standing partners. The programs ensured that children received the nourishment needed to concentrate on their studies and thrive both academically and physically during the second academic term of 2024.  

Fill My Cup 

For many children, the cup of porridge provided by the Fill My Cup program was their first meal of the day. This initiative played a vital role in enhancing the health and well-being of students across 15 Bilal centers. Nutritious millet porridge was served, packed with essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. This meal supported the children’s growth, boosted their concentration, and provided lasting energy, addressing immediate hunger and contributing to their overall physical and cognitive development. Total number of beneficiaries was 3,614. 

Porridge served at Al- Mahdi Centre in Burani 

Fill My Cup at Madaris

• Dates: 29th April to 2nd August (during the school term) and 3rd August to 17th August (during the school holidays).

• Frequency: twice a week on weekends during the school term; daily during the school holidays.

• Beneficiaries: 2,831 students.

 Children enjoying their cup of porridge at Ar-Ridha Madrassa in Mtongwe 

Fill My Cup at pre-primary schools 

• Dates: 29th April to 2nd August.

• Frequency: Five days a week.

• Beneficiaries: 783 pre-primary students

A filled cup brings happiness to a young learner at Al-Baqir pre-primary in Mwasafu 

Porridge being cooked at  Ahlulbayt centre in Moyeni 

School Children sit down for their break at Ahlulbayt centre in Moyeni 

Lunch Program for Madaris

Balanced meals of rice, green grams, and beans were cooked at the centres and provided to children attending madaris once a week. At Bilal centres, these meals were offered throughout the term, while at independent centres, they were provided over a span of three weeks. Altogether, the program reached 3,723 students.Lunch at Bilal centres During the second term of 2024, lunches were provided once a week at all Bilal centres Madaris.  This initiative, which ran from the 4th of May to the 4th of August, benefited 2,831 students. Lunch at Independent centres The program also extended to 7 independent centres, where it ran for three weeks. At these centres, lunch was provided once a week, with schedules varying by location. A total of 892 students benefited from these meals. 

Madrassa children in Mtongwe are grateful for their lunch 

Lunch platters ready at Ahlulbayt madrassa in Shimoni 

Impact and Appreciation 

The feeding programs were successfully implemented, providing balanced meals to thousands of students at both Bilal and independent centres. Each cup filled and each lunch plate served helped sustain the students, giving them the strength and nourishment needed to fully engage with their educational journey. We remain committed to fostering a supportive educational environment for children in rural Kenya with invaluable support from our donors and well-wishers. 

Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya Secretariat

Bilal Bulletin - BMM Tanzania Participation - Mafunzo Ya Imam Hussein (A) Exhibition - Dar-es-Salaam

BMMT PARTICIPATION IN MAFUNZO YA IMAM HUSSEIN (A) EXHIBITION 1446 A.H. (2024) - DAR-ES-SALAAM

Introduction 

The Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania (BMMT) participated in the Mafunzo ya Imam Hussein (a) Exhibition held at Mnazi Mmoja Grounds, Dar es Salaam, from August 8 to 10, 2024. This annual event, organized by the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat of Dar es Salaam and partners is dedicated in honoring the legacy of Imam Hussein (a), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (s), who was martyred in Karbala on 10 Muharram 61 A.H. 

Event Overview 

The exhibition served as a platform for various Shia Ithna-Asheri affiliated organizations to collectively raise awareness about the tragedy of Karbala and to highlight their respective contributions in areas of Tabligh, Education, and Social-Economic development. The event also featured a free health and eye camp, which was a valuable service to the community

BMMT Booth Activities and Additional Contributions

At the exhibition, BMMT focused on showcasing and distributing a range of educational and religious publications. The materials presented included:

• Religious Books: Covering topics related to Aqidah (Islamic creed), Fiqh (jurisprudence), Sira (biography of the Prophet), and Dua (supplications).

• Hijra Calendars: To assist the community in tracking important Islamic dates.

• These resources were provided, aiming to enhance the attendees' understanding of Islamic teachings and support their religious practices.

• BMMT booth was graced by the visit of AFED Vice Chairman Alhaj Aunali Khalfan, AFED Trustee and Past Chairman Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi and Dar-es-Salaam Resident Alim Sayyed Adeel Raza.

In addition to our booth activities, BMMT directly assisted KSIJ Dar-es-Salaam by delivering presentations and discussions focused on educating attendees about the life and legacy of Imam Hussein (a) and the historical events of the Karbala tragedy. This direct involvement was crucial in furthering the understanding of these significant Islamic events.

Bilal Comprehensive School Booth

Bilal Comprehensive School also participated in the exhibition with its own booth. This provided an opportunity to promote the school, located at Tandika, near Bandari College, Dar es Salaam. The school offers education from early childhood to primary levels and integrates religious education into its curriculum. The exhibition allowed the School to showcase its programs and engage with the community.

Impact and Outreach 

Our participation in the exhibition was well-received by the attendees. The distribution of our publications allowed us to engage with the community directly and address their inquiries about our activities and services. The feedback from visitors was positive, and many expressed appreciations for the availability of educational resources.

Conclusion 

The Mafunzo ya Imam Hussein (a) Exhibition provided an excellent opportunity for BMMT to promote our mission and engage with the broader community. We are grateful to KSIJ Dar es Salaam for organizing this significant event and look forward to participating in future exhibitions to continue our efforts in Tabligh and community service. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to make our participation successful. Their commitment was crucial in effectively showcasing our work and interacting with the community. 

Glimpses of the Event in Pictures

Prepared by:

Rajab Ngwame

Public Relations Manager

Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania (BMMT)

Dar es Salaam

ASHARA SAJJADIYYAH August 2024 / Muharram 1446 AH

Tribute to Imam Sajjad (A)

Peace be upon you, O Imam Ali Zainul Abidin As-Sajjad. The adornment of the worshippers, the epitome of patience, and the guide of those who seek righteousness. You carried the message of Karbala and preserved the teachings of your forefathers with unwavering devotion. May our gatherings be a testament to your enduring legacy and a source of inspiration for generations to come.

Overview of the Sajjadiyyah Majalis held at Bilal Hall in Mombasa

Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya commemorated the legacy of Imam Sajjad (A) and his contribution to the preservation and revival of Islam during the Ashara Sajjadiyyah majalis for gents held at the Bilal Hall in Mombasa from the 27th of July to the 6th of August 2024 at 5 pm daily.

Program Structure

Each majlis commenced with a recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by poetry in Arabic and Swahili that beautifully captured the spirit of the occasion.

This was followed by the lecture, after which Sheikh Juma Shughuli narrated the tragedies of Kerbala and beyond. The session concluded with Latmiyat, Ziyarat, and the distribution of tabarrukat.

Click the link below to listen to a touching Latmiyat by Sheikh Hussein Mwaravino of madrassa Zainul Abeidin titled ‘Hussain has been killed’

Central theme

This year’s sessions were themed around the critical role that Imam Sajjad (A) played in rebuilding society through the spread of knowledge and ethics, with a focus on how we can emulate his life and teachings in the modern world.

The Speakers and their topics

Sheikh Suleiman Ali delivered a series of lectures revolving around the Role of Imam Sajjad (A) in Reviving Islam, emphasizing the Imam’s efforts to sustain the values and teachings of Islam in the aftermath of Karbala. In one of his lectures titled ‘The strategies of struggle employed by Imam Sajjad’ the sheikh shared incidents from the life of our beloved Imam through which he dealt with issues including racism, classism and tribalism. He also touched on the support provided by Imam to the poor and destitute as well as the divine support he received in undertaking his mission. This session may be participated in by clicking the link below:

Sheikh Ali Njoloi explored how believers can emulate Imam Sajjad (A), offering practical guidance on incorporating the Imam's principles and ethics into daily life. In one of his majalis, he delved into the oppressive environment shaped by the politics of Bani Umayyah and illustrated how Imam Sajjad navigated these challenges. He highlighted the Imam's efforts to improve the social and ideological aspects of society and the moral and spiritual behaviour of individuals, fostering a community rooted in justice, compassion, and faith. Click the link below to view this discourse.

Appreciation

Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya sincerely thanks all those who contributed to this year’s Ashara Sajjadiyyah majalis. Your generous donations, active participation, and volunteer efforts were crucial in facilitating the programs and offered invaluable support to the mission. We were able to invite various speakers and reciters, livestream all the majalis and serve tabarruk as we honored the legacy of Imam Sajjad (A) together as a community. Jazakumallah Khair. 

Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya Secretariat

22nd August 2024