The Beauty of Giving

Peace be Upon You. Charity, preached by every religion of the world, is a way of bringing justice to society, and justice is the essence of religion. Also, in most religions, it can be obligatory and binding upon all those who embrace the faith; it has been made into an institution in order to give it permanence and regularity.

 All human beings have been created by one and the same God, and for this reason they belong to one great brotherhood. All being descendants of the same progenitor, Adam and Eve, they should naturally be each other’s well-wishers. They must willingly come to one another’s assistance, like members of the same large family.  Religion has, therefore, laid the greatest of emphasis on the support of destitute and disabled members of society. It is a sacred duty of the wealthy to give part of their possessions to fulfill the needs of the deprived sections of the community.

 A society can flourish only when its members do not spend all their wealth on the satisfaction of their own desires but reserve a portion of it for parents, relatives neighbors, the poor and the incapacitated.  As the saying goes: Charity begins at home. A true believer is thus always prepared, after meeting the needs of his family, to assist other people in need of his help.

And please remember that every good act is charity even smiling to your brother is charity. A man’s true wealth is not how much money he has or the property he has left behind,  but it is how people will remember him and what good deeds has he done.

Help yourself, others, and us at Human Concern International to make the world a better place for all of mankind... Please Give Generously

To Donate, Please Click Here.

HCI - Extending the arm to Help Gazans

For more information about the Gaza situation, stories from the field, and to see how HCI is helping, please click here.

To Donate aid to gaza, please click here.

HCI BOARD MEMBER NAMED TO THE ORDER OF CANADA

HCI is proud to announce that Mr. Azhar Ali Khan, a prominent member of our community who serves on HCI’s Board of Directors, has been named to the Order of Canada. In the past, he also received the Order of Ontario and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Award, as well as several other awards.

Our heartiest congratulations to Mr. Khan on receiving this truly most prestigious and well-deserved honour. He indeed deserves this award for rendering great service to Canada, the Muslim community, and humanity.

For more information, please click on the Events & News Section.

Conclusion of the 2008 Annual Dinner and Annual Body Meeting -
HCI is in a great position to continue serving humanity for the 2009 year and beyond

Human Concern International has just concluded its 2007/2008 year with its annual dinner and the general body meeting. It announced its results with great pride. HCI is in a great position to serve humanity for years to come.

For the 2008 Annual Dinner, close to 300 guests joined HCI’s staff, representatives and volunteers to raise awareness about global humanitarian and development issues at HCI’s 28th Annual Charity Dinner Program.  The event was held on Friday, October 17th, 2008, at Saint Elias Banquet Centre in Ottawa. The theme this year was "Partnering for Peace and Prosperity".  

Our speakers were Dr. Abdul Majid Haddad, Chairperson HCI Middle East Division who travelled all the way from Lebanon to talk about HC I’s relief and development initiatives in the Middle East and Sudan which have helped thousands.  Aminah Kandar, HCI board member, who just returned from a personal trip to the Middle East, including Lebanon, covered her visit to HCI projects in Lebanon through a presentation.

The keynote speaker was Mr. William Porter, Founder-President of the International Communications Forum (ICF UK), an organization devoted to media ethics and freedom of information.  

All proceeds from the event will go directly to HCI relief programs and development projects around the globe. HCI would like to thank its generous donors, volunteers, board members, partners, and the Canadian community for putting their trust in HCI and for their continuance support.

For more information about the 2007/2008 year, please check the 2007/2008 annual report in the Annual Report tab above.

From the bottom of our hearts ...
Thank you for supporting HCI to work for your cause … since 1980 ...

To view the annual dinner photos, please click here.

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Message from the Chairman on the 2007/2008 year,

Today’s citizens of the world are facing frightening scenarios. The global increase in food shortage and skyrocketing inflation has worsened the state of millions across the globe. Imminent threats of global warming have increased the stakes for habitats and populations, demanding greater attention from responsible agents worldwide. Wars and their damaging effects continue to loom over many distraught regions of the world. For us living in this great  country, the reality of these scenarios may not extend beyond a 30 second sound bite on the world news; whereas those who directly suffer from famine,   disease, war, and ultimate loss of their livelihoods continue their cries for help.

Over the years, HCI has been there to answer their calls. Through appeals, fundraisers, and support from our donors, volunteers, and humanitarian organizations across different sectors, HCI continues to make a difference. We have set clear priorities based on the needs of millions of people across the globe and on the upcoming challenges.

I appreciate and acknowledge the contributions of my colleagues on the board, the staff, partners, hundreds of volunteers and thousands of donors who are  the building blocks of HCI’s worldwide humanitarian efforts.

Your heartfelt support gives hope to the lives of millions.

Farooqui Baksh, Chairman - HCI

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Message from the Executive Director on the 2007/2008 year,

The concept of life varies in definition depending on the human condition. Whereas some people would acknowledge life in the founding of personal luxuries, others understand life as mere survival, fixated on the founding of basic necessities such as food, water, shelter and medicine. Millions around the world are of the latter, dedicating their thoughts and energy upon survival amid everyday famine. This is the tragedy of the impoverished. Despite the intervention of humanitarian organizations, images of long line-ups for rations, of people walking long distances for buckets of water, wherever water may be found, and of women suffering the indignity of having to use a field, roadside, or a plastic bag for a toilet - these images remain the norm.  HCI’s focus on sustainable development has gone a long way.  HCI, with the help of its donors and partners, has been making significant progress to eliminate such indignities, one appeal at a time.

During the year, HCI made great strides in improving the lives of those who need help. We built schools, and renovated and equipped kindergartens. Support was provided to several health clinics to assist the sick and malnourished.  Women empowerment and livelihood programs were given special attention.  New skills training programs such as biosand filter technology were undertaken.  Child sponsorship continues to be one of our important focuses with over 1,000 children being helped worldwide. Input in Education Programs has increased substantially over the past years. Emergency help was provided in response to disasters in countries such as Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Pakistan,  Palestine, Somalia and Sudan.

These are only a few examples. We have dealt with other tragedies involving thousands and thousands of people to whom HCI is lending a helping hand.  One measurement of our success is the improved quality of our programs and the   increasing number of people being reached every year.  This year, over 100,000 families have been directly effected by our efforts.

Our deep appreciation to all our donors, partner organizations and volunteers, whose help has made a tremendous impact on the lives of millions.  Thanks to all of you for making this world a better place for all of us!

Kaleem Akhtar, Executive Director - HCI

Charitable Giving and You

We know that you are thinking of others less fortunate than yourself who need help and support - and of how you might best give back to your community, a favourite charity or cause. If so, you're far from alone. As Canadians, we have a long and proud tradition of taking positive action for the common good. Each day of each year, hundreds of thousands of us provide vital volunteer support for the many charitable and other non-profit organizations that would otherwise be unable to carry out their good works. And for many Canadians, that support goes beyond volunteerism to charitable giving, either while we live or as a legacy provision in our Wills.

If charitable giving is on your mind, here are some strategies for leaving the legacy you wish to the charity of your choice and to your heirs with minimum taxation, fees or other delays:

Name the charity as beneficiary: Leave a bequest in your Will to a recognized charity and your estate will receive a charitable donation tax receipt that could eliminate all of the income tax on your final tax return and possibly on the return for the immediately preceding year, as well.

Establish a Donor Advised Fund: As the donor, you receive an immediate tax receipt for all contributions made to the donor-advised fund and you also retain the right to advise on how the fund's income (usually called grants) is to be allocated to charity each year - all without the administrative responsibilities or costs associated with establishing a private foundation.

Establish a Charitable Remainder Trust: You donate your capital while you live on the income. The charity has no access to trust capital during your lifetime and all interest and dividends are paid to you as taxable income. Upon your death, the trust assets - known as the remainder - go immediately to the charity. You receive an immediate tax receipt for the "remainder interest" given to the charity by creating the trust.

Donate a life insurance policy now: When you donate a life insurance policy to your favourite charity, it will receive the total death benefit under the policy and you will enjoy certain tax credits.

Establish a Charitable Life Annuity: By making a charitable gift now you will continue to receive a lifetime income from the assets you've donated, for yourself, or for you and your spouse and receive certain tax credits.
Donate publicly traded stocks or securities: Recent tax law revisions have reduced the capital gains tax on gifts of appreciated stocks and securities from 25% to zero - when they are donated to a recognized charity. You or your estate will pay no capital gains tax on donated shares and will receive a tax receipt for their full value.

Establish a Private Foundation: Your foundation will ensure your generosity lives on and can permanently associate your name or your family's name with the causes you've chosen.

If charitable giving is in your future, talk to Ismail Mukri about the charitable giving strategy that makes the most sense for you, your charity and your estate.

Ismail Mukri
MBA, B.Eng, P.Eng, P.M.P.

CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF ISLAM AT CARLETON UNIVERSITY

HCI is supporting the Centre for the Study of Islam which is being established at Carleton University in Ottawa. Donations are sought to support this Centre.

As a first step, Carleton already started offering a minor in Islamic studies for students. The Centre will expand the selection of courses to offer young Canadians, Muslims and non-Muslims, a chance to learn about Islam in a mainstream academic environment. Almost all students in any program in university have "electives" or courses that they are completely free to choose. Such a program will allow our young people to learn about Islam and earn university credits doing it. It will also allow non-Muslims to find out the real richness of our religion and the contributions of Islam to humanity without the media hype.

The Centre for the Study of Islam has two components:

1. a new position for a professor at Carleton in the field of Study of Islam, and
2. an endowment fund to allow for public activities (short courses about Islam for the community at large, public lectures, and other outreach initiatives).

Thus, The benefit will not be limited to the students enrolled in the program. The Centre’s mission includes offering not-for-credit mini courses to the public as well as organized lecture series, seminars and symposia. The project aspires to further organize exchange programs with educational institutes in the Middle East, Asia and Europe that specialize in the subject.

For Carleton to establish a permanent position for Study of Islam the community has to raise $ 35,000/year for 4 years which is less than 50% of the cost. Following the 4 years, Carleton will carry the full cost. This is a total of $140,000 for the position. In addition, $60,000 are needed for the initiation of the endowment fund. The endowment will be matched by Carleton dollar for dollar. As the endowment fund increases, there will be more public activities and community outreach provided by the centre. Having as many contributors as possible will also demonstrate our interest in and support of such program .

Let us help provide the opportunities for our future generations of Canadians, Muslims and non- Muslims to learn about Islam from reliable sources.

Charity Does not Decrease Wealth, it Increases it - Please Donate Generously

Your donations made through HCI are tax deductible.