[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="Community Friends Foundation's pioneering role in volunteer work" ids="93038,93037,93036"] By Badea Abu Al-Naja THE Community Friends Foundation in Makkah was established as per the regulations for charitable organizations approved by the Council of Ministers in 1990 and the executive rules issued subsequently by the minister of social affairs. The foundation, chaired by Ali Halawani, was duly registered under the ministry. The foundation wanted to play a pioneering role in volunteer work and it continues to develop and support various charitable and volunteer activities. It also seeks to be an authority on information on charitable work and research while at the same time maintains a total quality control system in this regard. The foundation's primary objectives are to strengthen and promote volunteer work by making information, references, books and research available; set up and run electronic databases and present studies, recommendations and legislation to support and promote volunteers, philanthropists, social and volunteer work and other foundations that operate in the same field. In addition, the foundation aims to protect and rehabilitate abandoned children, divorcees, widows, orphans, prisoners and the physically challenged. It wants to build, maintain, operate and manage endowments, implement projects that enhance Islamic solidarity, intercede on behalf of the weaker segments of society and assist individuals and families by providing them with basic needs. Its goals also include organizing festivals, exhibitions, programs and projects that increase public awareness in the media and educate them about certain issues. It also collects Zakat Al-Fitr (obligatory alms paid at the conclusion of the fasting month of Ramadan) and sacrificial meat and distributes them among the needy and impoverished. Another major project envisioned by the foundation was establishing social consultation, training and rehabilitation centers to strengthen family ties. Key projects One of the most important projects being carried out by the foundation is a project to console the relatives of the dead. In line with the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) saying: "Prepare food for Jaafar's family for today they are beset with grief", the foundation strives to strengthen and reinforce social ties among all members of the public, especially when a death occurs. The foundation helps bereaved families by assisting them with funeral preparations. The foundation's volunteers will stand by the family offering assistance from the time of death until the burial rites are completed. Another important project being carried out by the foundation is the family aid scheme. The project aims to help impoverished families by offering assistance in cash and kind, including food baskets and home furniture, in addition to sponsorship of orphans. As part of the project, the foundation trains and rehabilitates members of such families and helps them with their children's education needs so that they can become self
