Hunger strips life back to basics and war does even worse. Before a child can think about school, play, or the future, they need safety, they need people who care for them and a reason to believe they have not been abandoned. For Palestinian orphans displaced by war, Sacred Dreams is As-Salaam Foundation’s way of answering that need through Umrah.
In January 2026, we took 50 orphans to Makkah. They performed Umrah and stood before the Sacred House of Allah تبارك وتعالى, and next January, we want to take another 25.
What the Quran Says About Orphans
The Qur’an does not treat the orphan as a side concern. Again and again, Allah تبارك وتعالى mentions them, and He ties their care to faith itself.
He تبارك وتعالى says:
“So as for the orphan, do not oppress him.”
Qur’an 93:9
In Tafsir al-Qurtubi, on Surah al-Duha, Imam al-Qurtubi explains that the orphan is singled out because he has no helper besides Allah, so the matter is treated more seriously. He also reports from Mujahid that “do not oppress him” means not to belittle him, and from Qatadah: “Be to the orphan like a merciful father.”
Allah تبارك وتعالى also warns:
“No! But you do not honour the orphan.”
Qur’an 89:17
And He commands kindness in their affairs:
“And they ask you, O Prophet, concerning orphans. Say, ‘Improving their condition is best.'”
Qur’an 2:220
In Tafsir Ibn Kathir, on Qur’an 2:220, Ibn Kathir notes that this verse was revealed when people feared mishandling the wealth of orphans. Instead of stepping away, Allah تبارك وتعالى tells us that the answer is islah: to improve their condition. They are your brothers in faith, and Allah تبارك وتعالى knows who intends corruption and who intends reform.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was himself an orphan.
Allah تبارك وتعالى says:
“Did He not find you as an orphan and give you shelter?”
Qur’an 93:6
The Prophet’s father died around the time of his birth. His mother, Aminah, died when he was six. His grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib, cared for him until he was eight, and then Abu Talib took him in when Abd al-Muttallib. Later, after the Hijrah, the Ansar gave him shelter in Madinah. Allah تبارك وتعالى gave him one form of shelter after another.
In Surat al-Ma‘un, neglect of the orphan is linked to denying the Day of Judgment.
Allah تبارك وتعالى says:
“Have you seen the one who denies the ˹final˺ Judgment? That is the one who repulses the orphan.”
Qur’an 107:1-2
Ibn Kathir explains that repulsing the orphan means oppressing the orphan, denying him his rights, and failing to feed or treat him well. When the Qur’an speaks about honouring orphans, it teaches us what faith should look like when it leaves the tongue and enters the world.
What Umrah Means for Them
Umrah is an act of worship centred on remembrance, humility, and return to Allah تبارك وتعالى. A pilgrim enters ihram and stands equal among the servants of Allah. Wealth, nationality, and status disappear beneath the same simple garments. Everyone turns towards the same House and calls upon the same Lord. For a child used to instability and displacement, that sense of belonging matters. In Makkah, they are surrounded by Muslims of every language and background, all worshipping Allah together.
Last January, donors made this possible for 50 children. Every flight, meal, and night of accommodation was covered. They were able to circle the Kaaba in tawaf, imitated the struggle of Hajar AS between Safa and Marwah, and made their own private dua. The hardships they had endured were not erased, but they were reminded that their story had not ended and that the Ummah had not forgotten them. Sometimes, a child simply needs to know that someone thought of them and wanted to give them something beautiful.
How You Can Help Send the Next 25
Following the January journey, As-Salaam Foundation plans to take another 25 Palestinian orphans from Jordan to Umrah in August 2026.
The project covers:
- Travel
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Local transportation
You can contribute at any level:
- £50 can help provide meals during the journey
- £100 can help cover transportation
- £300 can sponsor half of one child’s journey
- £600 can fully sponsor one orphan’s Umrah
You don’t need to cover the entire cost. In fact, several smaller donations can come together to send one child to Makkah. With your support, donations go towards the children’s journey. Administrative costs are covered separately through Gift Aid and other channels.
They Should Not Be Forgotten
These children are not forgotten in the sight of Allah تبارك وتعالى, and they should not be forgotten by us. We can remind them that they still have brothers and sisters across the world. We can give them the opportunity to stand before the Kaaba and make dua. We can help replace the sound of conflict with the Talbiyah of pilgrims.
In January, 50 orphans made that journey. Next January, another 25 are waiting for theirs. Help send a Palestinian orphan to Umrah through As-Salaam Foundation’s Sacred Dreams appeal.
May Allah تبارك وتعالى accept every contribution, place comfort in the hearts of these children, and grant every person who cares for an orphan closeness to the Prophet ﷺ in Paradise.
Donate to Sacred Dreams 2026
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Sources:
-Qurtubi, Mujahid, Qatadah on 93:9: Tafsir al-Qurtubi, vol. 20, Surah al-Duha (Turath 20855, p. 7289 (https://app.turath.io/book/20855?page=7289))
-Ibn Kathir on 2:220: Tafsir Ibn Kathir, vol. 1 (Turath 8473, p. 631 (https://app.turath.io/book/8473?page=631))
-Ibn Kathir on al-Ma‘un: Tafsir Ibn Kathir, vol. 8 (Turath 8473, p. 4539 (https://app.turath.io/book/8473?page=4539))
