In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate  The Center for Islamic Education (CIE)  The Islamic Weekend School (IWS)  Located at Westland Middle School, 5511 Massachusetts Ave, Bethesda, MD 20816   IWS Mailing Address:  7308 Loch Edin Court Potomac, MD 20854      December 18, 2006 A Call for Donations!   Dear Families and Friends of IWS,   As-salamu ‘alaikum.  IWS commenced its new 2006/07 school year in September and, as of this date, we have approximately 75 registered students.  We are holding classes this year at the Westland Middle School in Bethesda, MD, our fourth year at this location.  I am writing to urge you to help us by contributing to our school.   Financially, we would be grateful if you keep us in mind as you make year-end donations at the end of this year.   As you may know, IWS has obtained tax-exempt status as a charitable organization, recognized by the Internal Revenue Service under 501(c)(3) of the tax code, as a publicly funded charitable organization.  With this status, all contributions by individuals or other organization to our school are deductible for income tax purposes.  Many of you, especially those who have witnessed the school’s progress over the past thirty (30) years, appreciate the importance of tax-exempt status.     To maintain our tax-exempt status under 501(c)(3), we are required to collect at least 33% of our annual revenues through donations.  Our donations target for this year is $30,000, so a contribution / sadaqa for any amount as provided on the attached page (or any other amount) will be appreciated.  With your help and support, we will be able to maintain our tax-exempt status as well as bolster our finances in order to grow and better develop our program in the future insha’Allah.   Each Sunday, our school rents eight (8) classrooms and the multi-purpose room at Westland MS.  To provide services to the school, over thirty (30) teachers, administrators and other dedicated parents volunteer their time and collective energies to implement the many activities necessary to run the school.  It should be noted that the registration fees that we collect basically offset the costs associated with operating the school.    Donations can be made in one of two ways:   (a)    by filling out the attached form and mailing it in along with a personal check to the address provided; or (b)   by making an online payment by credit card (via Paypal) on our website (www.islamicweekendschool.org).    If a donation is made and received by the school by or before December 31, 2006, then a receipt for your 2006 tax deductible donation(s) will be mailed to your home address by January 31, 2007.   I invite you to visit the school and see for yourselves the happy faces of our children, as they meet together as brothers and sisters to study Religion, Quran and Arabic and discover the common bonds that they share.  If you would like to send us an email with your comments and suggestions, you can reach us at any time by e-mail at mariamfosman@hotmail.com.  Please also feel free to visit us at Westland MS on any Sunday and on the web at www.islamicweekeendschool.org.   Sincerely, Mariam F. Osman Principal, Islamic Weekend School =================================================================================== IWS Donation Form – 2006/2007 Calendar Year (Please return with your check or money order)     Name:   ____________________________________ (first & last)   Address____________________________________ (street address)   Address____________________________________ (city, state, zip)   Tel:      ____________________________________ (home or work)   E-Mail: ____________________________________ (1 account only)   Date:    ____________________________________       I would like to help the IWS accomplish its goals through my donation of:   $100       as an IWS supporter $250       as an IWS sponsor  $500       as an IWS silver sponsor  $750       as an IWS gold sponsor   $1,000    as an IWS platinum sponsor $2,000    as an IWS pillar other;      please specify _______         Please make your check payable to:   “IWS” or “Islamic Weekend School”   7308 Loch Edin Court Potomac, MD 20854     Thank you for your donation and support. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------