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28 March 2024 / 18. Ramadhan 1445

ZCSS Muharram Appeal: Education & Empower

Updated 27 November 2012

“Educate & Empower”.  The powerful words of the Vice President of The World Federation Of KSIMC, Munawer Bhai Rattansey, in a speech delivered to the community of Hyderi Islamic Centre in south London, where he launched the Ghaza and Muharram appeal.  He inspired the audience to “Be the reason for Success” and to work together in helping providing assistance to those in Gaza.

The full speech can be read below:

Bismillhir Rahmani Rahim

Maulana Sahib, Liaketbhai, my elders, brothers and sisters

Salamun Alaikum

Our sincere condolences to the Imam of our Time and to the lovers of the Ahlul Bayt(as)on the martyrdom of the Master of Martyers, Imam Hussein(as)

“Halmin Nasarin Yun Surna!”…..These words echoed throughout the universe when spoken on the day of Ashura.  No one can forget these words spoken by Aba Abdillah, on that tragic day, when Imam Husayn (AS) and his family were slaughtered.

“Is there any helper who will help us!”

I’m sure that if we were there on that day, at that time, none of us would have hesitated to answer that call.

We would have done whatever we could….whatever was within our power… our reach, to protect the master of paradise and his beloved family and fight against the oppressors. 

I’d like to share a saying of Imam Husayn (AS) with you:
“Beware that the need of people to you, is among the blessings of God to you. So do not scare away the needy people, when they come to you, as the God’s blessings will return and go elsewhere.”
(Bihar al- Anwar, Vol. 78, P. 121)

We can still answer The Call of Imam Husayn (AS) even today … Helping the needy and working to eradicate poverty from our communities….. Through education. 

For over 30 years The Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme, or ZCSS as it’s known, has provided education to tens of thousands of needy Shias worldwide in a bid to raise literacy levels and opportunities for our Shias, allowing us to do away with poverty in our communities.

To date & with the grace of Allah (SWT), over 11,000 students have successfully gone on to complete their education and make their dreams come true.  Currently we sponsor over 5000 student in 7 countries and urgently need donors for them.

We cover students from primary school through to Higher Education and have seen a number of success stories.  For example Ghulam-Abbas YusafAli from Gujarat, was a ZCSS Student from primary school until university.  After graduating Ghulam-Abbas went back to his village and now teaches in the local school there sharing his knowledge to better the prospects of the new generation.

£10 per month… £120 per year, will allow you to sponsor a primary school student for one month or if you wish to sponsor a higher education student you can do so from as little as £55 per month, £660 per year for four years. 

The Prophet of Islam said: I and the one who looks after the needs of an orphan and brings him or her in the best possible manner, will be together in heaven like two fingers of one hand.

All of our Higher Education Students who have been sponsored for four years, also sponsor another student once they have been working for a year, after graduation.  Your initial sponsorship allows you Sawaab – e- Jaria and helps build our community organically. 

The World Federation works in various countries starting from India, sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Haiti, Pakistan and many more.

In Pakistan, we are giving education to girls from primary all the way thru to colleges- in rural parts where girls are deprived and education  is not looked upon favourably, we have managed to overcome the stigma. These are future mothers and just imagine the multiplier effect it will have on the future generation.

Become the reason for the success of the child and sponsor them today.

The Holy Prophet( PBUH) has said: He who strives to grant the needs of his brother in faith is like he has worshipped Allah(swt) for nine thousand years, fasting his days and praying his nights.

If you would like more information then please contact The World Federation Of KSIMC, Council of European Jamaats or Hyderi.

If you would like to sponsor a child then we have application forms here.  Once you have filled it in, please hand them at either of the desk, or to Liaketbhai or to myself …… who will post them for you.

ZCSS is also looking for one volunteer from ladies and one from gents to continue the work at the local level. It is a rewarding task and your efforts could bring about a life changing experience for a needy student in the developing world.

Brothers and Sisters, Imam Husayn (AS) sacrificed his life and the lives of his family for us Muslims…us Shias.  Every year we come together to mourn this great man. This year we ask you to also sponsor a ZCSS Student and uphold what Imam Husayn (AS) stood for and died for.  Let us look to the needy students and help them to lead a better life, Inshallah.

A saying from  the commander of the faithful, Imam Ali (AS), to ponder over:
“Knowledge is the lost property of the believer”
(Uyun Akhbar al-Rida (AS) v.2, p.66, no. 295)
Lets educate and empower the new generation…..together.

Now, I'd like to spend couple of minutes more of your time and speak about Gaza.

The World Federation has opened up an appeal in light of the destruction and carnage brought about by the so called surgical bombing carried out by Israel.

Systematically almost the entire infrastructure of the state of Gaza has been destroyed - like hospitals, schools, government buildings, media, bridges and roads. Over and above that hundreds have been made  homeless and casualties too have been high.

They will need all kinds of assistance- financial, medical, humanitarian, logistics and much more. We would like to appeal to you donate generously for this worthwhile cause.

Donations can be made at either of the desk or directly to CoeJ thru their website

I thank you for listening to me and also  to Liaketbhai for giving time to launch these appeals.

If you need further information on anything I have said then either come and see me, or visit the CoEJ or the WF website. Our partner in Europe is CoEJ and their website will answer all your queries lnshaAllah.

W’Salaam Alaykum warahmatullahir wabarakat

Donate Today

To donate to either appeal visit:
Donate in Europe
Donate in Canada/USA
Donate in the rest of the World

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The Zainabiyya Child Sponsorship Scheme was launched in 1981 by Marhum Mulla Asghar. Read the scheme's 2015 report.


ZCSS Student Wins 1st Prize in Academic Excellence In Andhra Pradesh


Updated 6 November 2013

It is a common known fact that education plays a major role in the success of an individual.  However in many countries the gap between male and female literacy levels exists because women have been discouraged from receiving the same educational benefits as men.  Women also have less of an opportunity to pursue an education due to financial constraints, and often the males of the family are educated and the females are not.