Olive Tree Foundation asks Muslims to make a difference at home
(September 2, 2009) – Muslims are being encouraged to be active contributors to Canada by directing a portion of their charitable donations during Ramadan to local projects.The Olive Tree Foundation has launched its 6th Annual Ramadan Campaign encouraging Muslims to share part of their annual charitable donations with deserving community initiatives within Canada.”Canadian Muslims can make a significant contribution to our society if we were to direct a portion of our charitable donations annually to projects in this country,” Muhammed Haseeb Ali, Treasurer of the Olive Tree Foundation told Iqra.ca.The Olive Tree Foundation is a philanthropic foundation that promotes community development through the collection of endowed funds and charitable contributions, to fund services for the long-term benefit of the community.“The Olive Tree Foundation has distinguished itself, in a quiet and unassuming way, for being one of the most important and forward thinking organisations established in Canada,” Dr. Kathy Bullock recently told the audience at the Annual Appreciation Brunch of the Olive Tree Foundation held on Sunday, July 26 in Markham.Dr. Bullock is the Director of the Tessellate Institute (TTI), a policy institute and think tank.“Since its founding in 2004, the Olive Tree Foundation has served our community with excellence. They have supported projects that address real needs in our community, of women and girls, of children and education, and of disabled Muslims,” she said.In five years, donations from the Ramadan Campaign have funded 16 projects, many of which have made a significant contribution to the community’s development.These projects include funding to:• Canadian Muslims with Disabilities (CAM-D) – Research study on accessibility to community centers and a Symposium on Disability Rights & Responsibilities• Tessellate Institute – “Mosque One: Oral Histories of Toronto’s First Mosque”• Scouts Canada – Production of a DVD to promote Scouting to minorities• Milo Productions – “A New Life in a New Land” educational material on the contribution of Muslims to Canadian society• Federation of Muslim Women – “Youth Community Connections.”“These are projects, and many more, would not have been made possible without funding from the Olive Tree Foundation,” Muhammed Haseeb Ali said.“A foundation is an institution that has been part of the Muslim historical experience and has, in the past, provided for the flourishing of the Muslim contribution to societies,” he added.To contribute to the Ramadan campaign, please go to www.olivetreefoundation.ca and click on the Ramadan Campaign link which will take you to the Giving Page on CanadaHelps.org so you can quickly make a contribution online and instantly receive you charitable receipt.Contributions can also be mailed to:Olive Tree Foundation2 Bloor Street West,Suite 100,Toronto, ONM4W 3E2