The Imam Abdul Razak Foundation is a multicultural and interracial organization founded by persons who are passionate in helping the needy.
The foundation came into being through the efforts of Sham Razak, the last son of the late Imam Abdul Razak and Latifan Razak of Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara.
Imam Abdul Razak was born in 1926 into a very humble family. In his lifetime, and accompanied by his wife of 48 years, Latifan, he accomplished many great tasks. Together they provided food and shelter to the needy, and their efforts enabled several parents with the means to provide higher education for their children. During his countless sermons and lectures, not only in Guyana but later throughout the world, Imam Abdul Razak was constantly striving to share the message of peace, love and help for our fellow human beings.
In 2000, after the death of both Imam Razak and his wife Latifan, their youngest son Sham, along with his wife Nazli, decided to continue the efforts of providing food, shelter and financial support to persons in Guyana and Canada. Together they seek to continue the message of peace, love and help for fellow human beings. The goal of the foundation is to continue to assist members of the community in the same way Sham’s parents always did – by dedicating anything they had to help others.
In Canada, the foundation provides financial assistance and moral support to the elderly and those facing hardship; monthly financial assistance, groceries and basic needs provided to numerous individuals; free financial and business advice to individuals of low income; free tax services for seniors and low income individuals; university scholarships given annually to qualified individuals; and necessities of life for victims suffering from a natural disaster in their country.
In Guyana, the organisation provides groceries annually, meals and finances to be given to 1,000 individuals; provides homes and food to orphans; offers medical assistance to the elderly; provides monthly food and financial assistance to individuals of low income; and offers a 4-year university scholarship given annually to one qualified individual.
In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Sham stated that the Imam Abdul Razak Foundation was created with one goal in mind – helping others. “Whether you’re an elderly person who requires assistance; suffering from a natural disaster in your country; a student who needs financial aid, or you just want some advice, then we want to help.”
He recalled spending his youth attending many of the religious and social activities his father and mother were involved in, and having countless discussions with them on the value of helping others.
Migrating to Canada in 1974, he tried to instil these values into his own life and that of his children, Naseeba and Shiraz, who also share their parents’ strong values. Sham is fully supported by his wife Nazli in all these endeavours.
For the fourth year running, the foundation is offering scholarships to students for college or university education.
“We’re continuing our charitable efforts with providing finances for students in Guyana who are writing their CSEC examinations. We also have a programme where we provide lunch for the poor and needy every first Friday monthly. We also provide monthly financial assistance to these ones. We are currently looking at expanding our scholarship programme to finance those students who have excelled at CSEC to help them pursue studies at the university. We will be feeding the elderly, and those in need, for Eid al-Adha, at Cornelia Ida. Also, CSEC exams fees will be paid for 100 individuals in Guyana,” Sham outlined.
He also noted that all funds acquired by the foundation are private and no contribution is taken from the public.
For more information on the foundation’s work log on to www.razakfoundation.com (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
