Kafala

    Kafala, loosely translated, is the Islamic practice of committing to raising a non-biological child. While the kafleen parents care for and protect the child, Islam acknowledges the child's right to know their birth family heritage and does not consider the child adopted in a western sense. 

     A federal Canadian government website states: "As kafala does not create a legal parent-child relationship between the child who is taken in charge and the person holding the right, it cannot be considered adoption. In fact, kafala is not covered by the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, which applies only to adoptions that create a permanent parent-child relationship (Art2.)" 

 There are many considerations when considering a kafala, but three significant considerations include: 

• Does the country allow international kafala,?
• Does the child's home country allow an adoption to be finalized?
• Will Canada will recognize the home country's Kafala?

Some Muslim countries do not allow any international Kafalas, while others allow only nationals living abroad to adopt. Morocco allows international Kafalas for Muslims of any nationality. Prospective parents must be Muslim and commit to raising the child as Sunni Muslim. Single women may adopt, same-sex couples may not. If you are interested in completing a Kafala in Morocco, please contact me for additional details.  

           Rita Zniber Foundation and Orphanage

     This orphanage holds a special place in my heart. My son lived in RZO for almost 6 years before Allah brought us together. We have returned several times.        

    Fondation Rita Zniber is an orphanage located in Meknes, Morocco.  Infants and younger children live in "Le Nid" (The Nest) housed within Mohammed V Hospital.  The older children live in the Annex, nestled in the heart of the old Medina. The orphanage has successfully completed dozens of international Kafala (adoptions) but relies on donations from adoptive parents, community members, and businesses.

    Rita Zniber is the founder of the orphanage and she, along with her family, are very generous benefactors.

    I would like to thank the Colgate Company, LaFarge Industries, and Aicha Food Products for their continued support of the orphanage.  I would also like to recognize the generous contribution of Jockey in funding the Pathways 2 Permanence Program through the Adoption Council of Ontario.  

   If you would like to donate to the orphanage to support a child's education, medical care, or the running of the orphanage, please contact me or visit their website at  www.fondationritazniber.org. You can also visit them on FB at Fondation Rita Zniber.