The event, filled with spiritual and communal elements, celebrated the achievements of the students who graduated from a school equivalent to Turkey's Imam Hatip High Schools, institutions that combine secular and Islamic education.
The ceremony began with the recitation of salawats (prayers of peace upon the Prophet Muhammad), setting a spiritual tone for the occasion. One of the highlights was the distribution of various gifts and copies of the Holy Qur’an to the students, symbolizing the importance of education rooted in faith.
In a significant act of charity, sacrifices were offered on behalf of the donors who had contributed to the Orphans Foundation. Tens of animals were slaughtered, with a portion of the sacrificial meat served as meals during the event, while the remainder was distributed to families and students in need. This gesture emphasized the foundation’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities, not only through education but also through acts of compassion and charity.
Abdulvahap Kaplan, the representative of the Orphans Foundation in Tanzania, underscored the foundation's ongoing commitment to educational and charitable projects in the region. He remarked, "We are in the Temeke district, where we are witnessing the graduation ceremony of high school students who have completed their Islamic education. This is a joyous day. Before the ceremony, we sacrificed animals and distributed the meat to those in need. Later, we will share a meal with the students and their families, and gifts have been provided, including plenty of copies of the Holy Qur’an."
Kaplan also highlighted the dedication of Tanzanian Muslim families to their children’s spiritual education, noting that half of Tanzania’s population is Muslim. "The effort that parents here put into nurturing their children's spirituality is truly admirable. Today’s event is not just about celebrating academic achievements, but also about reinforcing the spiritual growth of the next generation," he said.
In addition to the graduation, Kaplan shared the foundation’s broader efforts in the country, including events celebrating the Prophet’s birth and Quran competitions. He emphasized that the foundation’s work continues to grow in Tanzania, with each project contributing to the community’s welfare and spiritual enrichment.
The event concluded with a collective prayer for the benefactors who supported the graduation ceremony. Their contributions made it possible to provide gifts, distribute sacrificial meat, and offer copies of the Holy Qur’an to students, ensuring that the day was not only memorable but also meaningful for all participants.
The ceremony exemplified the Orphans Foundation’s mission to combine education with compassion, fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility among Tanzanian Muslims. Through initiatives like these, the foundation is making a lasting impact on both the students it serves and the broader community, helping to create a brighter future rooted in faith and mutual care. (ILKHA)