Awdal Charity Services of Dallas, Texas, holds first fund raiser event
Awdalnews Network=
DALLAS, Texas, 01 Dec. 2007--Awdal Charity Services Inc., recently held its first annual fundraiser event at the Hilton Garden Inn. The Fundraiser was to benefit and aid Somaliland, Somalia, and Djibouti immigrants in the USA as well as the people of those countries back home.
The event, which was originally planned to take place during the Holy month of Ramadan, was organized by community members, students and other volunteers. It went well and organizers were very pleased with the turnout.
The event was open to all the public, but specifically targeted members of its own community. It lasted from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Many prominent community members and students spoke at the function and organizers were happy and grateful to all those who took part.
“It was an exciting night and we certainly appreciate the sacrifices the participants had to undertake to insure making that evening one to remember”, said Safia Ismael, President of Awdal Charity Services Inc.
The following community members spoke at the event:
Dr. Mohammed Daud is a well known community leader in Dallas, and always works hard to help his people in the DFW Metroplex. He is always there to sacrifice for his community both here and back home. By profession, he is Chemist in the medical technology field. He had worked in that same field in Yemen. His remarks were as follows:
“I am honored, pleased and in fact elated and proud to participate in this event which Awdal Charity Services Inc. is holding this night. I know that there are hundreds of great Somali families in this city and I know that there are other events like this that are organized by our great community here. But, I am calling all our people here to work together so that we can help our people. We should avail more time for great gatherings like this. In fact, I would encourage that we hold functions like these on a monthly basis. Thus, only by doing that, can we help our people community here and those back home. If we come together we can exchange thoughts and ideas on how to improve the lives of our children and their education. We should have time to teach them our culture and religion otherwise; they will be lost in this culture and climate to both of which they are alien. We should generate ideas that can bring our community here together and we should help each other. It is important that we mimic the successes of other ambitious communities in this great city and country.”
Another prominent activist of the Somali community who was present was Dr. Hodan Rabile. She owns a family dental clinic in Irving, Texas and she is in fact a great role model of the Somali women in this community. She made the following remarks:
“…First, I am pleased to be here tonight. But one of the problems that our Somali community faces that we should address is that we do not support each other and we are not even aware of each other. But all other immigrant communities in the Metroplex; the Latinos, the Arabs and other Africans have their own community organizations as well as their active members and leaders who make their voice heard. On the contrary, the Somali community, here has not voice and if so, who will fight for our rights and who will address our issues? "In fact, we can no longer continue to be indifferent and we must act, and act now to get our rights."
In addition, to raising the morale and awareness of the Somali community, Dr. Hodan read a moving famous poem by Mother Teresa.
Among other prominent speakers was also was Sheikh Abdinasar Sheikh Hassan. He is a community religious leader and a trusted businessman who always puts people of the community first. He also runs an after-school program for the Muslim students. He teaches Quran, English, and other after school programs and was the Chair of the event and following were his remarks:
“….Fundraising is not something our Somali community is familiar with, but it is something very important that each community should do in order to help its community both here and elsewhere. I believe, that each community member should make it a responsibility to become a part of events like this one.
“It is a form of zakat (alms) which I personally believe cleans the individual’s soul, that of his family and wealth. So, each person should donate sincerely, and from the heart. Our faith, the Islamic religion states that “God gives those who give and in fact, your gift is doubled according to Islam.”
Omar Bashir, another great community member who is very active within the community as well as within Awdal Charity Services Inc., also spoke at the event. His remarks were as follows:
“I would like to express my greetings and appreciation of the Somali community in this great city. Also, to express my warm thanks to those who came here to night to participate in this great event “We are very encouraged by your tremendous response to our call to this fundraiser event. And certainly we look forward to seeing a bigger one in the future.”
Finally, Safia Ismael, President of Awdal Charity Services Inc. concluded the evening by giving her sincere and warm thanks to all those who donated their time and extended moral and material support to the event.
She briefed all on the goals of ACSI and what the organization intended to achieve in the near future. She specifically mentioned two projects and highlighted the objectives of the mission statement that the organization is working on:
Dilla Resource and Development Center, which would help women and orphaned children in Dilla, Awdal Region, Somaliland.
Harageel Schools (Zone 5, Ethiopia) which would provide educational services to the youth and community in that area.
Mission: Our mision is to realize the dream of advancing the well being of Somalis Somaliland and Djiboutian immigrant community at both the local and international levels.
For further information and/or assistance from Awdal Charity Services Inc., please contact:
Awdal Charity Services Inc
Omar Bashir Tel: (972) 821-8972
Safia Ismael Tel: (972) 896-4570
Or write to ACSI
P.O. Box 293204
Lewisville, Texas 75067
