The Imam Ali Student Relief Society

The custom of "Teflan-e Moslem”

Notes:

- "Teflan-e Moslem"  is a program representing poor children during the time of Imam Ali

- The members of the NGO are mostly university students.

-" The state Center of Corrections and Rehabilitation of Tehran" (Kanoon Eslaho Tarbiat) is called " Kanoon" in brief

- Young prisoners are referred to as "aid seekers" in this text

- Arbaeen and Tasooa are Islamic religious ceremonies

Index:

Introduction to the Imam Ali Student Charity Organisation

Some of the Organization’s activities

The custom of "Teflan Muslim"

Report on meeting to discuss plans for the year 1387 (2008-9)

Aid seekers for whom the Society has paid "revenge money"

Reports on aid seekers after leaving detention

Contact information

Attachment 1: questions given to aid seekers

Introduction to the Imam Ali Student Relief Society

The Imam Ali Popular Students Relief Society (Society of Students against Poverty) is the first student NGO in Iran working in social issues; it was established in 1999 at Industrial University of Sharif, Tehran. Society of students against poverty has since focused its efforts on social problems faced by children. The group takes a scientific and academic look at severe social problems and presents plans which draw from Iran's deep cultural and religious roots.

The NGO now has more than two thousand members drawn from both university students and broader society.

This group is licensed by Iran's police and Interior Ministry, reg. no. 19061

This society has the following aims:
1- To encourage students to use their strength and energy to give aid to those in need.
2- Expanding the society into a large scale student movement to fight social problems
3- To draw on practical knowledge and scientific research to find new approaches to aid-giving.
4- To exchange knowledge and academic research with universities in Iran and around the world in order to enhance the methods of aid-giving which derive from the lifestyle and customs of Imam Ali; to develop his humanitarian ideas and help to realize his goal of global peace and justice.
5- To encourage students to promote good by advising and aiding others and by spreading knowledge to help other students understand the sources of human suffering.
6- To work towards a consensus among students to focus their intent on creating a better future for mankind.
7- To encourage students to unite in their efforts towards a better future and to avoid political groups with vague and unhelpful political intentions.
8- To offer plannings and programs to make volunteer students to use their free time in the best way - so that this provides a framework for these goals to remain with our members throughout their lives.

Seminars and Congresses
1- "Children with Cancer" seminar in Sharif University of Technology, Shahid Beheshti University, held at the Dialogue of Civilizations Center, for five days in November 2000.
2- "Street Children" seminar, held in March 2001.
3- "Children of Love" festival, held in March 2001, which included short films, story-telling and theatre on the subject of social and humanitarian problems; also included an art exhibition held by orphans. It was held at Sharif University of Technology, Amir Kabir University of Technology, Allameh Tabatabai University of Human Studies, Pounak Jahad University and Al-Zahra University.
4- The Holy Christ Anniversaries organized by Christian members of the society in January 2002, 2003, 2007 and 2008, with the aim of emphasizing Christ's love for humanity and the common purpose of all religions; which is love for humanity and a better society.
5-"Little Teachers of Love" event in May 2002, held with the participation of parents who had lost their children because of cancer. This remembrance was held for the children with whom the NGO was developed and was involved emotionally. These children have become a role model of patience and love for the NGO voluntees.
6- "Nurses' Day"Congress, held at Ali-Asghar Children’s Hospital, in July 2001 and June 2007.
7- The one-week "Toy Festival", held in Koohsangi Park in Mashhad, September 2001, in association with Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.
8- Other seminars and meetings at universities with experts; on social and psychological issues relating to children.
9- "Wandering Lovers" ceremonies held every year since 2001
10- Special "Ghadr Night" ceremonies, marking the death anniversary of Imam Ali, held with orphaned and homeless children, as well as children suffering from cancer along with their families.
11- Student Congress at the UN headquarters in Tehran in April 2003, in support of world peace and expressing concerns for the child victims of war.
12- Celebration and performing recreational camp in Mashhad for high-achieving students from deprived families

13- Participated in the Bam earthquake rescue effort in the city of Bam and also at Tehran hospital.
14- "The Experience of Bam - Prevention in Tehran" seminar.
15- Rewarding students, under the care of the group, for their academic performance by taking them to the holy city of Mashhad, Isfahan, Tabriz and etc; since 7 years ago

16- Sending large numbers of university students to schools in poor areas during examination periods, in order to help increase children's academic potential.
17- Organizing a "Mobile Book Fair" to encourage children to read during the summertime.
18- Holding the "Children in Crisis" seminar.
19- Holding the "Muslim children" Congress, by the aim of analyzing the situation of children in crisis and finding possible solutions; following especially the educational and working lives of children whom the NGO has been able to set free from jail.
20- Holding the "Children's Toy Festival", to give toys to children in hospital and orphans.
21- Celebrating springs in the tradition of the Iranian New Year (Nowruz); by giving New Year gifts to sick children and entertaining them, also for orphans and disabled children in nursing homes; held Every March since 2001.
22- Holding several "Food Festivals" for children with cancer.
23- Educational programs for homeless children who have come to "The Green House", a state center for homeless and street children.
24- Establishing art and cultural groups for homeless children, led by university students.
25- Establishing music groups for labor children and holding performances at universities and public places.
26- Weekly meetings in children's hospitals and holding prayer meetings with university students and parents.
27- The "Shared Homes" in which student volunteer to house homeless children and supervise their studies.
28- One of the most important activities of the Imam Ali Society has been the intents to improve the cultural level of families in poor areas by offering services such as advice on life skills, educational and cultural matters; computer services and trainings for children, vocational training for women and youths as well as food aid for children.


Teflan Moslim (Muslim’s children) Manners

This custom designs its plan focused on the street and labor children as what is called the teenage criminals one of the plans it holds on the basis of Iranian culture and religion. This plan is held every year from Tasoua to Arbaein with the slogan: "We cry for the yesterday's Moslim children. do we try for today's Moslem children?" and on the basis of research and root finding and preparing the proper field for these people to achieve the higher standards of life as members of the Islamic society. In the mentioned plan the focus is mainly on aid seekers who aren't originally criminals but are typical victims of their environments' crises. Here are two examples:
Behrooz: He was employed and busy at work in a workshop at the age of 14, every week a number of rubbers threatened him and got part of his salary and said they would revenge if he told the police or his parents and would annoy him even more.
On the accident day, Behrooz was holding the sewing scissors in hand for sharpening when the burglar quarreled with him and the defendant's cornea was torn in the fight.
Hamid: He lived with his poor family. His father was a civil worker and his mother worked as a servant in homes which both don't have the ability for work anymore because of age. Hamid afforded the family expenses together with his younger brother. Hamid hit a passenger while riding his motor back home and can't pay his revenge money and is in prison at the moment.
In the same way, the charity teams of Imam Ali student-people population start off the activity since months ahead of Muharram while holding several sessions for the aid seekers selection and do research and plan accordingly. A number of the aid seekers are chosen regarding the specialist team's advice of each group some from present lists. At the first step aid seekers' files are fully read and they're then interviewed personally. At the end the identifying team does a research on their families to complete the process. In the final step they are given priorities according to their ages and the payments needed.
The legal procedure of the seekers, their families' financial situations and following their situation after being freed is the main point of the before and after release of them which is done and valued in special workshops.



A report on the Teflan-e Moslem Congress- 2008

In total about 300 people attended in the congress held in Tasooa, 800 people in Arbaein, and 250 in a child charity volunteer's birthday party on Esfand 20^th. 130 million Rials was collected in Tasooa, 370 million Rials in Arbain and 70 million Rials at the birthday party; totally an amount of 570 million Rials was gathered by the help of people in 2008; it was devoted for releasing process and after care supports for them, such as new homes and new appliances for their families and etc. Also a part of the money has been spent to help unsupported girls.

The aid seekers' situations and their revenge amounts during the 3 year performance

A report on some aid seekers' situations after release
Farshad: He entered Kanoon after having a quarrel aimed for support of his family leading to a murder. At the age of 18 he was transferred to the adult prison and suffered it's hard situations until 21 after that the court has divided the his revenge money to installments and Farshad is released after 5 years . Ever since situation he hasn't had the ability to afford his installments and family expenses because of his bad financial.
In 1387 Imam Ali population identified and did some arrangements in his support Such as:
- Financial aid for his home rent
- His employment at one of group's members' jewelers workshop
- Following up his legal situation and attempt to decrease his verdict by one of attorneys who works with the group
At the moment Farshad is satisfied with his job and this new position is like a new life to him. His family atmosphere is such a bad and dangerous one and according to himself before knowing the group his only way to survive was to return to prison. But he has now been able to rent a house with the support of the team and start a new healthier life independently.

Mohammad: He was taken to Kanoon for an unintentional murder in a car accident. I 1387 with the help of the group his fine was paid and he was freed. He was employed by one of the members in a sandwich shop after release and now earned about 2700 thousand Rials monthly. He is deprived of the having the blessing of a mother and his father is unemployed due to his being addict. They don't have a shelter to live. He doesn't have good relations with his father so spends nights at workplace. Relatives don't admit him because of his imprisonment records. He gives part of his income to father and another to his sister now living with one of the relatives. So he can save little. The group is trying to find him a better job so that he can both help his dad and sister and rent a place for himself.

Meisam: He is convicted for a quarrel leading to injury and was freed in 2009. He had this fight because the injured aimed to misuse Meisam -14 at that time. He is a plumber now out of Kanoon under the coverage of the group.





Our contact information:

Offices:
Public relations: No. 2, 2nd floor, Apt No. 3, Hadieh alley, Shariati St. , opposite Hosseinieh Ershad

Tehran, Iran
Phone: 021- 23051110
Central office: No. 72, Ba atefehpour dead end. , end of Shahid Ali Ghasemi St., before Vahdat Eslami St. (Shahpour junction), Mowlavi Ave.

Tehran, Iran
Phone: 021-55154165

Teflan Muslim plan's bank account:
1407952162 Mellat bank – Jaam account, Name: " Jamiate Imam Ali"

Website of the plan: www.teflane-moslem.com
NGO Website: www.sosapoverty.com


We hereby invite you to join us in the Teflan Moslem Congress.
Address: The state center of corrections and rehabilitation Center of Tehran, Kanoon street, Shahreziba Ave., Tehran, Iran
Time:

First Congress: Tassoua (26^th Dec. 2009), 3 PM

Second Congress: Arbaeen (5^th Feb. 2010), 3 PM



Attachment 1: Aid seekers' replies to the questions
Questions asked:
1-Tell us about your life the entrance to Kanoon, when you were out of jail; about your Happiness, pains, life situations and etc.
2-Explain the accident that made you come here to the Kanoon. Why do you think it happened? What are the personal reasons and the social situations, such as family and financial problems and etc.
3-Now that you're here in Kanoon, how do you spend your days and nights? How’s your situation? Such as the environment, your spiritual and emotional matters, sorrows and joys and etc.
4-Is it fair that you're here or not? And why? What are your plans after freedom and how are you planning to live by then?

Sample letter

In the name of God
1- Hello to the one who reads my words with his eyes and to whom understands me. I have had an old father since I was born. I was 7 when I saw him, he was a simple mason. My old mother worked in peoples' houses as a maiden. I studied until I found out that my mom and dad couldn’t work anymore. Although I liked studying, I couldn’t continue it and I started working as a worker mason; but it was a difficult job, so I started working as a grocery shop's errand boy. This was the bitter side of my life, but the sweet side was that I still lived with my family.

My dad 71 and mom both need surgeries.
2- I work at the theatre at Kanoon and I spend my days there until noon. Then I sit by the window thinking about outside; then my consultant comes and I ask her about my process and she gives me hope. Then comes the night and we sleep; but I think about my sick mom and dad and family. I thank all the people working here.
3-I was going to work one day, riding my employer's bike. I was riding fast to get to work on time and did not sack that a lady came from back of a bus. Suddenly I hit her. She’s been unconscious since then. My family and I have been engaged with this for 4 years. It is a brief summary of the happening.
4-Yes, It was my carelessness but now I demand for your help. I'll first start work and pay my debts; then I'll save a 6 months-salary to buy a present for my family. then I'll join the lovely NGO of Imam Ali (SOSAP). I'll try to help my own family and as much as I can I’ll manage to pay for the prisoners; because I've been a prisoner myself one day. Thank to the NGO of Imam Ali (SOSAP)
Thank to the Imam Ali NGO staff and special thanks to the consulting council, Mr. Ghahremani and Kanoon executive, Mr. Mohseni and also to Mr. Rostami.