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Diary of Events: ZCSS team visits North America

Updated 23 February 2010

Every year, the ten days of Ashre Zainabiyah triggers inspiration, sourced from the Lady of Light, and the opportunity is taken to create further awareness about the Zainabiyya Child Sponsorship Scheme (ZCSS). Traditionally, presentations are undertaken locally in various centres across the UK, however this year the ZCSS team visited North America from 29 January to 2 February 2010.

About ZCSS
The ZCSS has been running for over 25 years and has helped support over 13,000 students earn an education and go on to be able to support themselves and their families.

Out of the 2,700 sponsor parents currently supporting the scheme, more than fifty percent are based in the UK, whilst the North American Jamaats combined are contributing approximately 800 sponsorships.

The three members of the team made up of Shafique Govani, Brother Mohamed Shams Somji, and Brother Murtaza Jaffer visited Toronto, New York and Orlando to increase the awareness of the scheme and also gain a better understanding of the community’s thoughts and feedback on ZCSS.

Diary of Events

Friday 29 January 2010
The team first visited Toronto, where a presentation was scheduled the same evening at the Bathurst Centre. Following lectures by Sheikh Hasnain Rajabali and Maulana Kalbe Sadiq, the crowd from the two lectures gathered in one venue to listen to the ZCSS presentation. The presentation was followed by interaction with the community members and a meeting with the president of the Jamaat, Br Razak Damani.

Saturday 30 January 2010
A meeting with the NASIMCO Office Bearers was scheduled, where the team and the ZCSS agent Br Mohamedali Rashid had a constructive dialogue with the NASIMCO president, Br Gulamabbasbhai Najafi, accompanied by Br. Iqbalbhai Rattansey (Hon Treasurer), Sis. Shyrose Jaffer Dhalla (Councillor), and Sis. Sajida Rehmtullah (Adminstrator). The main item on the agenda was to establish how the various parties would be working in a synchronized and systematic manner. This would include revitalizing the ZCSS agents in the various member jamaats.

The team also managed to meet with various members of the community during the day prior to heading to the centre in Brampton for another presentation.

The ZCSS team received a truly warm welcome by the long standing ZCSS agent, Br. Mohamedali Rashid, who also was awarded a Certificate of Recognition at the Bathurst presentation for his ongoing service and support.

Sunday 31 January 2010
The team proceeded to New York, where ZCSS was allocated a slot at the Hussein Awareness Day. The event attracted more than 300 people, and the agenda contained an array of deliveries, including lectures, AV clips, and poems by the Madressa children.

Alhamdulillah the ZCSS team was once again warmly welcomed, and following the programme, a constructive interaction took place with the attendees. The ZCSS team also took the opportunity to meet the SIJNY Managing Committee, led by the President Br. Arif Jacksi. The meeting was also attended by the Chair Lady Sis. Riffat Khalfan and Sis. Fatim Ladak, the ZCSS agent who also was awarded a Certificate of Recognition during the programme.

Monday 1 February 2010
The ZCSS team departed for a 2-day visit to Orlando, the third and last destination of the journey. With a welcome reflecting the climate, the first mission for the team was to meet with the Managing Committee led by the President Br. Riyaz Jivraj. Following a fruitful meeting, a presentation was given prior to the lecture by Sheikh Abbas Virjee. Once again, the team took the opportunity to share information with and receive feedback and suggestions from the grassroots.

Conclusion
Alhamdulillah, although a brief and intensive trip, and from cold to sunshine, the goals of the visits were successfully completed, where the team managed to gather a fair amount of feedback from both the leadership as well as the grassroots, which will be taken into consideration in the ZCSS operational plan going forward.

ZCSS would like to extend its appreciation to NASIMCO and the Jamaats visited, for the cooperation and support throughout. During the course of the meetings, principles and parameters have been laid out to enable growth for ZCSS in the region. Inshallah, visiting other North American jamaats is on the agenda and will be implemented at the appropriate opportunity.

Click here to learn more about the Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme (ZCSS).