The meeting began with Quran recitation by Cevad Bekiri, a Kosovar student. Orhan Demirel, head of the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation’s Orphan Relief Department in Ankara delivered a speech in which he said thousands of families care for more than 23,000 orphans from 36 countries thanks to the efforts of the IHH.
Noting that the number of orphans in the world is very high, Demirel said IHH aims to increase the number of orphans cared by the foundation and this can only be done thanks to the efforts of sponsor families who will encourage other families to become sponsor families for orphans.
Demirel also gave information about the foundation’s orphan relief activities so far and its plans for the future.
“We aim to provide education to orphans, so that they can have jobs and stand on their own two feet. Our goal is to access to 1 million orphans,” he said.
Demirel also expressed hope to have orphan colleges in other countries like the one in Pakistan which the IHH established in cooperation with the Khubaib Foundation.
Zahid Azeem, coordinator for the IHH’s educational activities in Pakistan and principal of the college and orphanage in the country, also delivered a speech at the meeting.
Giving some information about the IHH’s activities in Pakistan and the orphan college, Azeem said thousands of children were orphaned by natural disasters which hit Pakistan over the past years.
He said the IHH is holding the hands of these orphans to help them prepare for life. “This is a responsibility which results from the ummah conscience,” he said.
Azeem offered his thanks to all the sponsor families at the end of his speech.
Said Alpsoy, a researcher and a writer, also made a speech at the event in which he explained the importance of caring for orphans in Islam. He said care of orphans is a significant action for every Muslim who wants to win Allah’s consent and the intercession of the Prophet Muhammad.
The IHH has been periodically supporting orphans and children without a family through its Sponsor Family System launched in 2007. By making a monthly donation of TL90 (36,7 euros) for at least one year, everyone can make a contribution to support an orphan and their needs for accommodation, education, healthcare and food.
