Print

Text

Hoping to raise money for orphaned Iraqi children, The Islamic Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat of Toronto (ISIJ) set up an information booth at Mel Lastman Square July 11 to draw attention to the often forgotten casualties of war.

"The situation in Iraq is very volatile," said Shahid Juma, one of the event organizers. "There are a number of orphans and (according to UNICEF) the stats are very high. We are a Muslim organization and we wanted to help our brothers and sisters."

Juma said the group modeled the booth after similar fundraisers in Britain and hoped to raise at least $10,000.

The money raised will be handed over to the World Federation, an affiliate with the Economic and Social Council of the United States. The World Federation provides education, healthcare, nutrition and accommodation for orphans.

"We also want to raise awareness of the number of orphans in Iraq," Juma said. "It's quite bad. I don't think people realize the dire need of funding that is needed."

According to UNICEF, tens of thousands of Iraqi children have lost a parent, 4.5 million are malnourished and up to 90 per cent of youngsters are not in school.

Juma said he hopes the first time fundraiser will be held again next year because funding will be needed for years to come.

The ISIJ also set up a similar booth at the Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr., July 10 and 11, in addition to the one at the Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue square.

Online donations can be made at www.iraqorphan.jaffari.org.