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The Representative of the Supreme Religious Authority in Europe opens the London office of Al-Ayn Social Care Foundation

His eminence Sayyed Murtadha Al-Kashmiri, the representative of the Supreme Religious Authority in Europe, opened the new London office of Al-Ayn Social Care Foundation, which is honoured by the support and blessings of Ayatollah Al-Sayyed Ali Al-Hussaini Al-Sistani (ha). The opening ceremony was attended by the Head of the London Office, the UK board of trustees, the committee, and respected brothers and sisters.

The programme started with some verses from the Holy Quran, after which his eminence delivered the following speech:

“Islam has commended caring and sponsoring orphans, as a good deed which is beloved to Allah SWT. Indeed all divine religions consider this act a holy and sacred one, and all societies and governments in all places and time place great importance on it. Islam however has placed an even greater emphasis on this deed, and magnified its rewards. There are many verses in the Holy Quran calling Muslims to care for orphans. As for the narrations from the Prophet (SAWW) and the Ahlul-Bayt (as); they are plentiful, so we will mention only a few
The Prophet (SAWW) said: “I and the one who sponsors an orphan are like these two in Paradise, if he fears Allah SWT”. He then pointed to his index and middle fingers.
He also said: “Whomsoever provides for three orphans, he will have the rewards of a person who prays the night and fasts the day, and raises his sword in the way of Allah. He and I will be brothers in Paradise”
Imam Ali (as) also said in his final will “Keep Allah in view in the matters of orphans, so they may not be harmed in your presence”
In addition to various other narrations.

Due to this emphasis in the Quran and narrations, and the humanitarian aspect of caring for orphans, Ayatollah Al-Sayyed Al-Sistani (ha) guided to establishing Al-Ayn Social Care Foundation in 2006, to care for orphans and widows and the needy. Especially as this group is in constant increase due to the oppression and tyranny, as manifested by mass graves and other signs of oppression. After the occupation, the numbers increased due to the terrorist attacks on mosques and hussainiyas and places of worship, and the number also multiplied recently due to the displacement caused by the attacks of ISIS. The Supreme Religious Authority therefore wanted to ensure that this group has a share of the donations of the believers and their Sadaqa and Kaffaras and so on. The source of income increased after his eminence considered money that is placed in the boxes of Al-Ayn as received by the needy. This increased the interest of the believers in obtaining these boxes, providing a constant source of income for the Foundation. The interest of the believers also increased when they knew that his Eminence himself sponsors a group of orphans from his private money which he receives as presents. Indeed the more presents he receives the more is the share of the orphans and needy, such that no money remains with him for more than a few days. I have heard him myself speaking to his eldest son Sayyed Mohammad Redha, saying “disburse this money which is given to me, and make sure it reaches the displaced and needy and orphans”

We therefore call on all believers to provide support for this group of people who have been deprived and oppressed for the reasons that we mentioned. As I am aware, Al-Ayn Social Care Foundation has offices in different European countries, such as Sweden, Germany, Holland, Denmark, and Norway, in addition to all its branches in Iraq. In the beginning of its work in the UK, we provided the Foundation with the facilities to receive donations and carry out its work at Imam Ali Foundation. However due to the increased workload and receipt of donations in kind, there was a need to open this office.

We offer our sincere congratulations for this blessed step, and pray that the trustees and committee of Al-Ayn in UK fulfil their role to its highest potential, and live up to the expectations of the believers, especially given the Foundation is trusted by the Supreme Religious Authority, and its confidante, Sheikh Amjad Ryadh, the supervisor of the Foundation.”

After his eminence’s speech, the head of the London office of Al-Ayn Social Care Foundation expressed his appreciation to his eminence Sayyed Al-Kashmiri for opening the office, and for his constant care and interest in the work of the Foundation, whether in the UK or in other European countries which his eminence visits. The head of the London office also praised the extensive efforts by the staff at Imam Ali Foundation in supporting the work of Al-Ayn since the beginning of its activities in the UK, praying that the opening of the office is a step towards more cooperation in serving the orphans and the displaced.

Finally, Allah SWT says in His holy book:
“And say, "Do [as you will], for Allah will see your deeds, and [so, will] His Messenger and the believers. And you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you of what you used to do.”