Youth Corner’s Fall Project 2009
Winners of Youth Contest
We have good news! The winners of the Youth Corner contest have been selected. Narjis Tahir won the contest in the kindergarten - 3rd grade age group. Sana Kadir won the contest for the 4th grade – 6th grade age group. And finally, Fatima Saeed was the contest winner for the 7th grade - 9th grade age group. There were some very well-written responses, and we want to thank everyone that participated in helping us create awareness for the HDF Youth Corner. Good work everyone. You are developing your skills as writers as well as becoming more aware citizens of America and the world.
The winners of the Youth Corner contest will receive a certificate from HDF, which will be mailed to their home address. Along with that, they will also have their written work published in the October HDF newsletter. This is a great opportunity for young writers to get their work published in a quarterly publication. Our goal for the Youth Corner is to instill in the youth the value of creative expression through writing. But at the same time, they are educating themselves about the value of community giving and community service.
To ensure the success of HDF’s Youth Corner, please contact your family and friends, and tell them about this exciting new venture. It is the youth of today that will be the future of tomorrow. As many of you youngsters know, Human Development Foundation helps children all over Pakistan. They go into remote villages and help provide children with an environment of learning and give them a brighter future. Come visit the online newsletter, and learn about the weekly stories that occur in Pakistan about the families HDF is helping.
Come visit the Youth Corner for our upcoming quarterly contests. The new contests will be announced the week of Oct. 12th.
Warm Regards,
Asad and Aon Hasnain.
Youth Associates
Ramadan
Narjis Tahir
Age 6
Ramadan Ramadan its Ramadan
We fast until the last day of Ramadan.
We eat after sunset
We eat at night
We do not forget dua before first bite.
We go to the masjid
We pray in the masjid.
We help other people
We eat with people.
We celebrate Ramadan
We read Quran.
Then is Eid, the end of Ramadan
See you next year Holy ramadhan.
Ramadan
Sana Kadir
Age 10
Ar Rahman Ar Raheem
Islam is our true deen
Welcome Welcome O Ramadan
You are the month of the Holy Quran
Revealed to our Prophet in a cave
A book which teaches us how to behave
In the month of Ramadan we love to fast
And pray so Allah can forgive our sins from the past
In Ramadan we give charity to people in need
And try very hard to do increase our good deed
Al Baseer Al Jabbaar
We eat Sahoor and Iftar
Al Gafoor and Al Gaffaar
Inshallah Allah will save us from naar
In this month is a special night
Better than a thousand months might
Ramadan O Ramadan see you next year
Tomorrow I will celebrate Eid with my family dear
Significance of Ramadan and Giving
Fatima Saeed
Age 14
Prophet Muhammed PBUH said, "Allah, The Almighty, has said: Every act of man is for him except fasting, it is done for my (Allah's) sake, and I will give reward for it." Other forms of worships are visible forms of ibadat. For instance, when someone prays, people can see the person praying. Zakat is given by people and received by people. Hajj is also a communal ibadat. Whereas, fasting is an ibadat which is not manifest. Only Allah knows whether a person is fulfilling the requirement of fasting. That is why Allah said, "Fasting is for me and I will give reward for it." Fasting is a cause of happiness in this life and in the hereafter.
Fasting doesn't just mean to stay away from food - between sunrise to sunset. It is an act of deeply personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of God-consciousness. Ramadan is in time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds. People should also spend time with family and friends while remembering and taking care of those who are less fortunate. In the Quran, Allah says, "Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become pious." (Al-Baqara 183)
Fasting isn't merely a ritual, it is beyond that. When we fast, it's not Allah who needs it, it's for our benefit. When we feel the pangs of hunger and thirst, it makes us open our eyes to the world and what's going on in it. We can go by everyday seeing poor people, beggars, and people who barely have enough food to eat, but we don't really notice them until we ourselves feel that pain. While we fast, we are able to realize how many other poor people are. They take up more than half the world's population. We are then able to realize how carelessly we are going about on our lives. We should take time and think about what other people are going through, and Ramadan gives us just that opportunity. Not only do we get a chance to shine by helping other people and feeling good about it, but we also get many rewards.
Giving doesn't just mean handing over cash to other people, but it also involves other forms of actions. Helping is a great form of giving. Helping refugees and talking care of them is an act of kindness as well as giving. Being kind to one another is a way of giving and showing respect.
If someone is aware of the fact that anyone in their immediate or extended family is in need of help in any form, then that person has a greater right to help them rather than outside people. It is our duty - as a Muslim - to take care of the people around us. We should never make anyone feel worthless and put them down. In Ramadan, we should take extra precautions and make sure we don't act high and mighty because Allah highly dislikes it. If we give charity in an attempt to be kind, its not worth it if people feel lowly about themselves.
Ramadan is a time for people to think deeply about what they were put here on this Earth for. All the devils and rebellious jinns are put in chains and the doors of Hell are closed while all the doors of Heaven open up. We don't have any excuse for bad behavior whatsoever because all the actions will be of our own will and we can't blame jinns or demons for that. This way, during Ramadan, we can think about right and wrong peacefully. Fasting also brings the whole Islamic Ummah together.
In conclusion, Ramadan is a great way for human beings to go on the right path. Fasting helps people spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. We'll be able to stay away from evil if we make an effort on our part.