by Norma Tarazi
The Second Annual Development Dinner for Sunrise Academy
which took place at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in downtown Columbus on December 13th,
exceed everyone’s expectations. The
program was very well planned and well carried out. The large group of students waiting to
preform entered and exited on cue and impressed everyone with their multiple
on-stage performances. When the combined
elementary school students launched into the song “Tala’el badru Alaina” the
impact of what the community has started was overwhelming.
All of the students and programs of Sunrise were
represented, including a great rendition of 3 songs by the youngest, the
pre-school students. Older students from the Quranic program showed remarkable
polish in their Quranic recitation and songs.
The Boy Scouts presented a skit and the Girl Scouts presented some
science experiments. Even the newly
formed karate program performed quick tumbling on stage in costume to support
their program.
The audience must have been impressed. The organizers hoped to raise about $40,000
for the planned school budget, but the guests gave them more. About $60,000 was donated or pledged before
the evening was through.
May Allah reward all who aided with this effort, Dr. Hazem Gheith, Br. Khaled Shamoot, and Br.
Fathi Dewaik, who did all the detailed organization of the dinner and the
program, all the teachers and staff of Sunrise who gave extra volunteer hours
of work preparing the children and the displays, our guest speaker, Br. Shukri
Abu Bakr who handled the fund raising so well, the Executive Committee for
their sponsorship and hard supporting work, and most of all, those who came and
contributed and believe in this project.
This dinner showed again the generosity of our community,
and its ability to donate and support programs that are meaningful to them, to
make real sacrifices for Allah (SWT) and the children who are the future of
Islam in this country.
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