We've Conquered Kilimanjaro!

As-salamu-alaikum

Reaching the Top of Africa!

M.T.Khan, Charles Luarie (guide) and M.R.Khan at Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro - highest point in Africa and summit of highest free-standing mountain in the world.

Alhamdulillah, all 3 South Africans of the Muslim Hands team have succeeded in summiting Kilimanjaro. At approximately 7:00 AM, Nadim Mahomed ascended upon Uhuru Peak to mark an epic moment in our Kilimanjaro Fund-raising expedition - and that was reaching the top of Africa! An hour and a half later, Muhammad Taher & Muhammad Ridwaan Khan summited at approximately 8:30 AM. Five other member of the 37-man team managed to summit.

With our fund-raising target surpassed and our Kilimanjaro climb successfully completed, we thank Allah (SWA) for all His help in allowing our campaign to be successful, for keeping us healthy, providing us with the physical and mental strength to summit, and for bringing us home safely. The children of Palestine were a constant inspiration and motivation for us, reminding us that the fleeting struggles of the mountain were nothing compared to the perpetual suffering that they endure on a daily basis. Insha'Allah we make dua that all our little contributions make some difference in their lives.

We also thank all donors who selflessly contributed towards raising money for the children of Palestine. It is your assistance that has made this project the success that it has become. Jazakallah'ul'khair to you. We also want to thank all our sponsors, without whom our trip would not have been possible.

Nadim Mahomed & Muhammad Ridwaan Khan holding up the sponsorship banner, with the ice cap of Kilimanjaro noticable in the background

More photos, detailed information and stories from our amazing experiences in Tanzania will follow shortly.

Was-salam

"To the Children & Future of Palestine"

No Headlines doesn't mean No War Crimes

By Amira Hass (Haaretz)

Israel allows only food, medicine and detergent into the Gaza Strip.Thousands of items, including vital products for everyday activity,are forbidden.Altogether only 30 to 40 select commercial items are now allowed intothe Gaza Strip, compared to 4,000 that had been approved before theclosure Israel imposed on Gaza following the abduction of GiladShalit, according to merchants and human rights activists.The number of items changes according to what is determined by TheCoordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. COGAT hasrefused the PA representative's request for an updated list of theitems permitted into Gaza in writing, and passes the information onlyvia the telephone.Gaza merchants are forbidden to import canned goods, plastic sheeting,toys and books, although the United Nations Relief and Works Agencyand other aid organizations are permitted to bring them into thestrip.

The few items merchants are allowed to trade in are divided into threecategories: food, medicine and detergent. Everything else is forbidden- including building materials (which are necessary to rehabilitateGaza's ruins and rebuild its infrastructure), electric appliances suchas refrigerators and washing machines, spare machine and car parts,fabrics, threads, needles, light bulbs, candles, matches, books,musical instruments, crayons, clothing, shoes, mattresses, sheets,blankets, cutlery, crockery, cups, glasses and animals. Many of thebanned products are imported through the tunnels and can be found inGaza's markets.Pasta, which had been forbidden in the past, is now allowed, afterU.S. Senator John Kerry expressed his astonishment at the ban during avisit to Gaza in February. But tea, coffee, sausages, semolina, milkproducts in large packages and most baking products are forbidden. Soare industrial commodities for manufacturing food products, chocolate,sesame seeds and nuts. I

srael does allow importing fruit, milkproducts in small packages and frozen food products as well as limitedamounts of industrial fuel.The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported thatduring the first week of May, 2.2 million liters of industrial fuel -some 70 percent of the weekly supply required to operate the powerstation - was allowed into Gaza. UNRWA receives petrol and dieselsupplies separately. A daily 270-300 tons of cooking gas - 54 percentof the required amount - is allowed.Petrol and diesel for private cars and public transportation have notbeen imported from Israel since November 2, 2008, except for a smallamount for UNRWA. The union of Gaza's gas station owners estimatesthat some 100,000 liters of diesel and 70,000 liters of petrol arebrought through the tunnels daily.Egypt, which in the past two months has been restricting the trademovement through the tunnels, does not limit the supply of gas andfuel. But since Egyptian fuel is heavier than Israeli fuel, it damagesthe newer cars in Gaza and causes malfunctions.In the past, Israel allowed wood for home furnishings to be broughtinto Gaza for some time, but not wood for windows and doors.

NowIsrael has resumed the ban on wood for furniture.The ban on toilet paper, diapers and sanitary napkins was lifted threemonths ago. A little more than a month ago, following a long ban,Israel permitted the import of detergents and soaps into Gaza. Evenshampoo was allowed. But one merchant discovered that the bottles ofshampoo he had ordered were sent back because they includedconditioner, which was not on the list.Five weeks ago Israel allowed margarine, salt and artificial sweetenerto be brought into Gaza. Legumes have been allowed for the past twomonths and yeast for the past two weeks. Contrary to rumors, Israelhas not banned sugar.COGAT commented that, "The policy of bringing commodities derives fromand is coordinated with Israel's policy toward the Gaza Strip, asdetermined by the cabinet decision on September 19, 2007."

A COGAT forum convenes with representatives of internationalorganizations weekly to address special requests of the internationalcommunity regarding humanitarian equipment and the changing needs ofthe Palestinian population, the statement says.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/objects/pages/PrintArticleEn.jhtml?itemNo=1086045

ePalestine Blog:http://www.epalestine.com/

"To the Children & Future of Palestine"

About our Kilimanjaro Expedition

Welcome to our Blog!

As-salamu-alaikum – Peace be upon You

A journey to the top of Africa for a noble cause! - HELPING CHILD VICTIMS OF THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN GAZA, 2009 & AWAKENING OUR CONSCIENCE AND HUMANITY TO THE PLIGHT OF SUFFERING CHILDREN IN IMPRISONED GAZA, PALESTINE

This blog follows the epic challenge taken up by 3 of us ordinary South Africans inspired by the noble cause of charity to attempt something extraordinary! We are 3 people representing South Africa and forming part of an international team on a 10-day trek to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania insha'Allah (God-willing). The purpose of this year's expedition is to boldly raise awareness as well as money for children of war living in Gaza. The expedition takes place from 2 - 12 July 2009 and is organised by the charity organization Muslim Hands as part of their annual international "Green Ribbon Week" aimed at alleviating the suffering of innocent children the world over by providing food, medicines, educational supplies and trauma-counselling.

The perilous journey to summit Mount Kilimanjaro – the highest free-standing mountain in the world, is said to be both a physically and mentally demanding journey and a challenge of a lifetime. We are determined to conquer this momentous challenge to raise awareness and financial support for our children in Gaza ravaged by the destruction of their homeland, insha’Allah with your assistance. The 3 of us aspiring to fulfill this challenge are Muhammad Ridwaan Khan, Nadim Mahomed and myself Muhammad Taher Khan.

Our goal insha’Allah is to raise over R250 000 which will go directly to the destitute children of Gaza. Many of these children’s fathers , brothers and mothers have been martyred during the Israeli aggression and your donations in the form of any charity (Zakaat, Lillah or Sadaqah) will help us achieve this objective. Monies can be handed to us for which official receipts will be issued. Alternately, money can be deposited directly into the account of Muslim Hands South Africa:

Account Name: Muslim Hands
Bank: Standard Bank
Account Number: 071 621 881
Branch: Parow - 031110
Donor ID: 933393 (important)


NB: Please indicate in the reference the Donor ID (above) + type of donation (Zakaat/ Lillah/ Sadaqah) so that the money can be processed accordingly. Also, e-mail your payment confirmation to mtk007@gmail.com and zaid@muslimhands.co.za to receive official acknowledgement for your generosity.

We have taken the decision to personally co-sponsor a substantial part of our trip costs to reach the required amount of R19 000 for each of us. This will cover the air-fare, accommodation, mountain guides, equipment, food, etc. We humbly appeal to you to please help us meet these costs as well. Our targets have to be achieved before June 17th 2009 as this is a mandatory requirement to begin the expedition. Donations toward the actual trip costs can also be deposited using the banking details above. Please indicate ‘SPONSORSHIP’ as reference. Please note that no charity (Zakaat, Lillah, Sadaqah) donated will be used in any part to fund the trip costs.

We hope that by personally challenging ourselves physically and mentally to reach the top of Africa, we can motivate and inspire you to join us in this challenge to raise as much money as possible for Gaza's children of war insha'Allah. May the All-Mighty Allah (SWA) / God reward you for your generosity!

Sincerely yours,
Muhammad Taher Khan
- Kilimanjaro Expedition Member

"To the Children & Future of Palestine"