In the Spirit of Ramadan, I will address charity a little more in this space.

Monsoon rains in Pakistan caused perhaps the greatest natural disaster of our lifetimes.  Yet a statement like that does not mean much merely in the abstract.  For those of us with weak ties to Pakistan, who do not know the region, it may be difficult for us to get our minds around the tragedy.

Our close family friend Saghir Aslam and his wife Bushra Aslam actually left the United States and started a home for orphans in Pakistan a few years ago.  He has been involved in various charitable endeavors in his country for half a century.  They picked up and left the United States after wonderful business success.  At present they are deeply involved with relief in the flood zone.

While my family’s own Zakat mostly goes to India every year (since that’s where my family is from), this year it’s all going to Pakistan, and to the Saba Trust.  I would encourage you to look at this as an option among the others that are out there.  The Aslams are on the ground and have affection for their country and the betterment of the Pakistani people I have never seen before.

To view their website, please visit www.sabatrust.org and you can go to the donation page directly by clicking here.  Be sure you designate flood relief, unless you want to support the orphan programs.  Of course you can do no wrong with either.  If you are in Southern California there will be a dinner on August 26, at 6:30PM.  It will be at the Orchid Restaurant 3033 S. Bristol, Costa Mesa, CA.

There are many fundraising dinners, clothing drives, snack sales and social networking related things happening right now.  Please be as generous and you can stand to be.  Your money will save lives insha Allah.