Jan 1998 Our Children – Our Future

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 13^th, 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.

June 1996 Islamic Attire: A View of Elegance and Comfort

by Bonita McGee

On Saturday May 11, Muslim and non-Muslim women gathered together to experience an evening of elegance with the First Annual Islamic Attire Fashion Presentation. The purpose of the event was twofold, one, to share in our cultural uniqueness while emphasizing Islamic dress and two, as a fundraiser for the proposed Islamic School.

The program opened with the recitation and translation of the Holy Quran. While the mood was light and festive, as children and women presented a wide variety of outfits from multiple Islamic cultures, during the intermission there was a moment of serious reflection for our brothers and sisters who are being oppressed. A song of peace was played by a folk singer who was inspired after seeing the tragedies in Bosnia. The song was accompanied by a slide presentation. "It was very moving... I saw some sisters in tears." stated Zahira Kirby, one of the attendees. The grand finale for the program was a presentation of all the models in hijab and jilbaab. Many sisters commented on wanting to purchase a hijab or jilbaab after the presentation.

Vendors were available afterward in the lobby to give everyone an opportunity to buy some of the fashions shown. Food from each respective culture was sampled by everyone in attendance.