Author: Maldivian Community Foundation

The Maldivian Community Foundation (MCF) is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation registered at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment of the Maldives (reg. no. CR/158/2019), and registered as a tax exempt organisation at the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority. Its mission is to enable individuals, communities and partners to sustainably administer their charitable and philanthropic aspirations. It does this through the management of donated funds and disbursement of grants, scholarships and financial aid. We aim to follow the well-established community foundation model, tweaking it to the Maldivian context, and thereby positioning ourselves as the premier fundraising and grant making organisation in the country. We plan to provide tools and instruments for the Maldivian community to partake in perpetual charity (sadagah jariyah) and philanthropy, and support the non-governmental sector by providing grants and technical assistance. We would also be working closely with the government and national development partners to strengthen the governance and accountability of the non-profit sector.

Legacy Fund Small Wells in 2021

Alhamdhulillah.

In 2021 we were able to support our donors to construct 8 water wells in water scarce areas of Bangladesh. The wells were constructed as part of our Legacy Funds which enable our donors to establish a Sadaqah Jariyah for their loved ones who have passed away.

Aisha reported:
A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and he said,
“O Messenger of Allah, my mother died suddenly without writing a will. I think if she could speak, she would give in charity. Will she have a reward if I give charity on her behalf?”
The Prophet said, “Yes.”
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī , Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim

We would like to thank our implementing partner International Aid Campaign for their support in this work.

Ramazan Food Aid Campaign 1443

One of the benefits of Ramazan is that it teaches us compassion towards those who are less fortunate than us.

Our food aid programme in 2021 was a huge success. See the photos at https://bit.ly/3yZIHEB

This Ramazan, we shall InShaa Allah once again distribute essential food items for needy families in Bangladesh. Our local partners have identified 200 families and we are able to provide food for them for one week.

We need your help to increase it to the full length of Ramazan.

“What will make you understand what the uphill road (to success) is? (It is) to free a slave, or feed at a time of hunger an orphan who is a relative or the poor man lying in the dust.” (Quran 90:11-16)

Transfer your contribution to this cause to Bank of Maldives account 7730000335022 before 30 March 2022.

Help us to put a smile on the faces of our brothers and sisters throughout this Ramazan.

*All funds remaining after the Ramazan 1443 campaign will be utilised for future food aid initiatives.

Register as a donor

Grant: Financial Assistance for Special Needs assessments

We have given a Grant of MVR 15,000 to Care Society to provide financial assistance to children with special needs to avail their assessment services. The assessment would enable the families of the children to get financial support from the government and to formulate classes for the children at Care Society. The Grant will cover the expenses for 6 children to undergo Assessments.

The Zul-Hijjah Challenge

download the free zul-hijjah challenge template

The blessed days of Zul-Hijjah are upon us. These days are not only special for those who the immeasurable blessing of being able to perform Hajj this year. The first 10 days of Zul-Hijjah are an opportunity for the rest us to gain multiplied rewards. It is a time that we should double our efforts to gain the favour and blessing of Allah.

  • The days of Zul-Hijjah are so sacred that Allah s.w.t. makes an oath by them in the Quran when He says,

“By the dawn. And [by] ten nights.”  (Surah Al-Fajr, 89:1–2)

  • The Prophet (SAW) said;
    “No good deeds done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Zulhijjah).” Then, some companions of the Prophet said, “Not even Jihad?” He replied, “Not even Jihad, except that of a man who risks himself and his property (for Allah’s sake) and does not bring anything back.”
    (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

    Another virtue is that the religion of Islam was perfected in the blessed month of Zul-Hijjah, specifically on the day of Arafah, the ninth day of the month.

It was narrated that a Jew said to Umar, “O Chief of the Believers, if this verse: ‘This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favours upon you, and have chosen for you, Islam as your religion.’ (5: 3) had been revealed upon us, we would have taken that day as an Eid (festival) day.” Umar said, “I know definitely on what day this Verse was revealed; it was revealed on the day of Arafat, on a Friday.”
(Sahih Al-Bukhari)

Therefore, what can we do to ensure we win the maximum benefit from these 10 days?

  • Fasting

One of the deeds that entails a huge reward during these nine days is fasting. Those who fast on the 9th of Zul-Hijjah, also known as the day of Arafah, may get the rewards of having their sins being forgiven. The Prophet s.a.w. said, 

“It (fasting on the Day of Arafah) expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year (i.e. those sins will be forgiven).”
(Sahih Muslim)

It is reported that “The Prophet used to fast on the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah and the day of Ashura, and three days each month, the first Monday of the month and two Thursdays.” (Abu Dawood, 2/462)

  • Sincere repentance.

 “But as for him who repented, believed and did righteous deeds, then he will be among those who are successful.” [al-Qasas 28:67]

  • Prayer
    Let’s try to increase the number of nafl or sunnah prayers. The Dhuha prayer and the Tahajjud prayer is filled with blessings and forgiveness from Allah.

“You should prostrate a lot to Allah as with every prostration you make, He raises your rank for one degree and drops one of your sins.”
[Reported by Muslim]

  • Zikr

“I met Ibrahim a.s. on the Night of Ascension (Al-Mi’raj), and he said to me: ‘O Muhammad, convey my greetings to your Ummah, and tell them that Jannah has a vast plain of pure soil and sweet water. It is a plain levelled land. The plants grow there by uttering: Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, La Ilaha Illallah and Allahu Akbar (Allah is free from imperfection; praise be to Allah; there is no true god except Allah; and Allah is Greatest).” 
(Sunan At-Tirmidhi)

The Prophet (SAW) said,
“There is no day more honorable in Allaah’s sight and no acts more beloved therein to Allaah than those in these ten days. So say tahlil (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah : Laa ilaaha illallaah), takbir (Allaah is the greatest Allaahu Akbar) and tahmid (All praise is due to Allaah : alhumdulillaah) a lot [on those days].”
[Ahmad]

  • Read Quran
    Strive to read a portion of the Quran each day
  • The practice of Udhiyyah or Korban,

The ritual sacrifice of livestock on Eid, which is the tenth day of Zul-Hijjah

  • Sadaqah

Make a donation or Sadaqah each of the first 10 days. The amount does not need to be big. The consistency is more important. Allah accepts and multiplies the reward for sincere Sadaqah.

“Let the man of wealth provide according to his means. As for the one with limited resources, let him provide according to whatever Allah has given him. Allah does not require of any soul beyond what He has given it. After hardship, Allah will bring about ease.”  (Quran 65:7)

In order to motivate our brethren to increase their efforts in these blessed 10 days of Zul-Hijjah, we have made a free template to set targets and keep ourselves accountable.

Download the free zul-hijjah challenge template
individual investment fund
legacy fund
previous activities

Grant: Donation to Palestine Emergency Fund

The Israeli military escalated attacks on the people of Palestine in Gaza from 10 to 21 May 2021, during the month of Ramadan. By the end of the conflict the Palestine people and infrastructure of Gaza had suffered immense loss and damage.

According to Wikipedia, 256 Palestinians had been killed, including 66 children and 40 women. Almost 2,000 wounded of whom over 600 were children, and 400 women. Four of the killed women were pregnant. The Israeli strikes had targeted multiple individual family dwellings, causing multiple deaths among members of the 15 families living there. Other reports set set the number of entire families killed at 20.

According to a post-ceasefire estimate;
1,042 housing and commercial units, spread over 258 buildings, were destroyed
769 further units suffered severe damage.
53 schools were damaged
6 hospitals and 11 clinics were damaged

According to Reuters, the 10 day conflict caused $40 million in damage to factories and the Gaza strip’s industrial zone and other industrial facilities, in addition to $22 million in damage to the energy sector. Gaza’s agriculture ministry estimated around $27 million in damage that included greenhouses, agricultural lands and poultry farms.

In the aftermath of the conflict, the people of the Maldives rallied to provide support to the rebuilding and recovery process. As part of this initiative, and in solidarity with the Palestinian people, we gave a donation of MVR 25000.00 to the Palestine support fund of the International Aid Campaign (IAC).

May Allah bless our donors for this contribution to the Palestine brethren.

Grant: S. Hithadhoo temporary mosque

The S. Hithadhoo residents near the flats area did not have easy access to a mosque. This led to many difficulties. They could not hear the Maqrib prayer so was unsure if they could break their fasts. Attending the prayer in congregation also was difficult.

Therefore the Jamiyyathul Ulamaa and Noorul Islam NGO initiated a project to build a temporary mosque in the area. The mosque would cater to a population of around 3000 people.

We supported the project with a donation of MVR 5000.00