Published:15-10-2009

A number of prominent local and regional religious leaders participated in the seventh festival to support orphans in Yemen organized by the Charitable Society for Social Welfare this week.
The festival had a three day program. The first day included a seminar in which debates on the rights and privileges that should be given to orphans under the Islamic jurisprudence. The second day was dedicated to extracurricular activities for orphans designated to be a creativity and distinction forum. Twelve competitions were organized for orphans in various fields such as arts, literary, religion and poetry.
On this day, the opportunity was given to the philanthropists and generous people to meet the orphans and consider supporting them financially.
The final day was dedicated to a theatrical play, entertainment through songs and dances performed by the orphans and art groups. The event also included a tour for those from outside Sana’a who wanted to visit its main historical and tourist attractions.
During the seminar on issues relating to orphans in Islam, several topics and misconceptions were discussed such as the limit an orphan’s guardian can take from the orphan’s money in return of taking care of him or her, the age at which orphans are considered capable of caring for themselves and able to handle their own inheritance, the great merit of those who sponsor orphans and the text in the Quran to encourage such acts. The seminar also considered whether a non Muslim can sponsor a Muslim orphan and vice versa.
This festival is a biannual event carried away by the CSSW once every two years in order to support orphans and mitigate their suffering. The festival is under the patronage of Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Dr. Abdulmajid Farhan, the secretary general of the society, said the aim of the festival this year is was organize living, educational and rehabilitation sponsorship for 5000 orphans and to strengthen the relationship between sponsors and the orphans.