Unique initiative for resource mobilization
As Bakrid, the festival for sacrifice was approaching, COVA Peace Network circulated an Appeal urging people to one portion of their budget for the sacrifice and share two portions for providing rations to teachers of private schools who had not received their salaries since April 2020. There was an overwhelming response from thought leaders, clerics and media- Times of India, Mumbai carried a special article on this proposal of COVA Peace Network- and contributions started coming to COVA Peace Network and also to other organizations in Hyderabad and other cities providing much needed support to hundreds of teachers of private schools.
Generous support of 106 Individual donors made it possible for COVA to provide Ration kits to 230 Teachers worth Rs. 3000 with 5O KG Rice, Atta ,Dal,Sugar,Salts and Soaps.
Teachers have not received their salaries since March. 1600 Families of refugees,migrants and poor also received half Kg meat as part of Bakrid.
Proposal of COVA to use some amount from Qurbani this Bakrid to provide Ration Kits to Teachers of Private Schools finds Resonance. Hundreds of teachers in the country could benefit.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/this-bakrid-many-muslims-will-take-just-one-share-in-a-cattle-donate-rest-of-the-money-to-the-poor-and-deserving/articleshow/77051696.cms
Support for Private School Teachers:
Recognizing the problems being faced by teachers of private schools who have not received their salaries since March 2020 and may not receive till August, COVA started a program to provide Rs. 10,000 to teachers as part of their salary that will also enable 2 students to study free for a year as per the agreement with the school managements. So, apart from saving school teachers from starvation and help them to live with dignity till they receive their salaries, this program will also help in preventing dropout of students that is expected to be at least 15% in the coming year due to the current economic meltdown.
COVID Relief- Rations and Cash Support to Private School Teachers
A Win-Win arrangement for Teachers, Students, Management and Society!
Taking note of similar problems being faced by service providers like office assistants, sales executives, and technicians engaged in computer, mobile and other repairs COVA provided support to 27 of its volunteers and service providers.
In all, till 22nd August 2020, COVA has supported 750 teachers and service providers in different ways including provision of ration kits and is working to support 1500 teachers.
Support One Teacher, Save Two Students
Neo-Poor
Testimonial by School Principal
timesofindia.indiatimes.com News Paper Report
Mumbai: This Bakrid many Muslims will take just one share in a cattle, donate rest of the money to the poor and deserving
Published on : July 19, 2020
MUMBAI: In view of the new guidelines which make giving animal sacrifice on Eidul Adha or Bakrid festival very difficult amid Covid-19 pandemic, many Muslims in the state will not sacrifice goats or sheep but will take share in a cattle (bull or buffalo) preferably out of the state. Bakrid falls on August 1.
The guidelines released on Friday said that no mandis or livestock markets will be allowed and people can buy cattle or goats online. “It will be very difficult to buy cattle or goats as there are no mandis and cattle are not reaching the Deonar abattoir. If it is not possible to give Qurbani of goats and sheep here, people should do it outside the state where no such strict rules are enforced. By taking share in a cattle-bulls or buffaloes-they can save money which can be used to help poor relatives or others facing financial crisis,” said Maulana Burhanuddin Qasmi, director, Markazul Maarif, a think tank at Jogeshwari.
According to the rules, meat of a sacrificed cattle (bull, buffalo) can be equally shared by seven people while Qurbani of a goat or a sheep is valid for just one person.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad-based Jamia Nizamia, one of the oldest Islamic institutions in the country, has issued a fatwa saying that, in case giving Qurbani is extremely difficult, the equivalent amount of the animal, can be donated to the poor and deserving people in the community. This fatwa is being hailed widely.
“The fatwa clears the confusion that Muslims can utilize the money meant to buy cattle for Qurbani for charity if giving Qurbani is not possible or very difficult,” said Mazher Hussein, executive director, Confederation of Voluntary Association (COVA). Hussein has issued an appeal saying that, instead of buying a goat or sheep in these hard times, Muslims should take one hissa (share) in bulls or buffaloes. While a sheep will cost Rs 9000, one hissa in a bull will cost just Rs 3000. “They can prepare ration kits worth Rs 3000 and distribute them among teachers who have not been paid for months. This ration can take care of these teachers for at least two months,” said Hussein.
Maulana Mahmood Daryabadi of All India Ulema Council maintained that donating money to the needy cannot be alternative to qurbani. However, he too maintained that, in case of sacrificing cattle becoming extremely difficult at one place, people should try to arrange Qurbani at another place where restrictions are not so tough.
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