The Beginning of a Concern

The non-governmental charitable foundation “Mother Mehraban – Umm al-Mu’minin Khadijah al-Kubra (peace be upon her)” was established out of a concern for combating hunger, providing food for children in need, feeding disadvantaged people, and honoring the status of motherhood, especially Khadijah al-Kubra (peace be upon her).

The process of establishing the Foundation began in early 2013. In the initial design of its structure, it was intended that a group of the Foundation’s early companions and volunteers, particularly members of the “Singles Class,” would participate as its higher governing body. At the suggestion of the group themselves, and in view of the need for a stable legal and managerial structure, it was decided to establish a clearly defined and accountable Board of Trustees.

The founding board was subsequently formed, the Foundation’s articles of association were drafted and approved, and after the required administrative and legal procedures were completed, the Foundation was officially registered on 9 October 2013, under registration number 32689, and received a license to operate nationwide.

The Foundation’s Mission

The central mission of Mother Mehraban is to provide food, contribute to the healthy nutrition of children in need, and combat hunger and malnutrition among them.

The Foundation is built on the belief that childhood should be a time for growth, upbringing, learning, play, and experiencing the simple joys of life. Children should not be deprived of basic needs such as sufficient and healthy food because of their family’s poverty, nor should they be forced to take on the responsibility of earning a livelihood before their time.

According to Article 9 of the Foundation’s articles of association, its activities, in addition to providing food and feeding children and people in need, include organizing the participation of benefactors and donors, combating hunger, honoring the status of motherhood and Khadijah al-Kubra (peace be upon her), expanding cooperation between the public and governmental and non-governmental institutions, and promoting a culture of selflessness, charitable giving, and support for those in need.

The Foundation’s activities began in Tehran, but its outlook and sense of responsibility are not limited to Tehran. In accordance with its resources and capacities, the Foundation also seeks to address the needs of disadvantaged children and families in other parts of Iran.

About the Founder and the Foundation’s Approach

Hujjat al-Islam Shahab Moradi is the founder of the Mother Mehraban Foundation, and a significant part of the Foundation’s missions, ideas, and methods of implementation have taken shape from his concerns and perspective regarding children and families. Initiatives such as feeding children, “Delicious Mondays,” providing and gifting treats such as ice cream and gummy candies, and distributing votive food portions (nazri) are among the ideas and programs designed and pursued with his emphasis on creating simple, joyful, and respectful experiences for the children supported by the Foundation.

Another principle emphasized by the founder is safeguarding the dignity and privacy of children. For this reason, the Foundation refrains from showing the faces of the children it supports in the photographs and reports it publishes.

In line with his approach, the Foundation’s activities should not depend on repeatedly mentioning the founder’s name or highlighting him personally. Accordingly, Shahab Moradi’s name is generally not repeated in the Foundation’s news reports or social media, and the primary focus remains on the activities themselves, the children, and the Foundation’s mission. His name is mentioned in this section solely to provide an accurate account of the Foundation’s origins, approach, and the formation of its programs.

The Founder’s Approach to the Foundation’s Independence

Although, under the regulations of the authority responsible for licensing charitable institutions, the Foundation is permitted to receive government support, Shahab Moradi has asked the Foundation’s managers, as far as possible, to base its activities on voluntary contributions from ordinary people, in ordinary amounts. His view is that the Foundation should operate within its actual financial means and expand the scope of its work accordingly.

In explaining this approach, he has emphasized that “non-governmental” should genuinely mean non-governmental in practice, and “non-commercial” should genuinely mean non-commercial. From this perspective, the participation of many people, each contributing according to their means, is part of the Foundation’s community-based identity.

From Providing Food to Creating a Happy Memory

The Foundation’s activities are designed and carried out according to the needs of its target community and the resources available. These activities include providing and distributing food supplies, grocery packages, meat and other sources of protein, preparing food portions for schoolchildren in need, providing meals on various occasions, and organizing special programs for children.

Through “Delicious Mondays,” the Foundation also seeks to ensure that disadvantaged children, children without parental care, and children under support can share in the ordinary joys of childhood—from favorite treats, ice cream, and gummy candies to small and simple gifts that can create a happy memory for a child.

In the Foundation’s view, helping a child is not limited to meeting a material need. Preserving dignity, respecting the child’s individuality, creating a sense of security, and providing joyful and respectful moments are also part of what service means.

Support from Benefactors and Stewardship of Public Donations

To carry out its programs, the Foundation relies on the participation of benefactors and on both financial and in-kind public donations. It seeks to ensure that public contributions are used carefully and responsibly in accordance with the Foundation’s stated missions.

One of the Foundation’s guiding principles is that, wherever possible, administrative and operating expenses should be covered by benefactors who specifically contribute for these purposes, so that general public donations can be directed toward the Foundation’s principal mission, particularly feeding children and combating hunger.

Charity bazaars, fundraising campaigns, special-occasion programs, and the participation of benefactors and donors are also organized within this framework.

The Foundation and Its Volunteers

A significant part of Mother Mehraban’s programs has been carried out with the participation of volunteers since the beginning of its activities. Preparing food portions and food packages, organizing programs and special-occasion activities, and many of the Foundation’s operational tasks provide opportunities for people who wish to contribute part of their time, abilities, and skills in service of children and families in need.

Volunteer participation has been part of the Foundation’s identity from its earliest years. The Foundation seeks to ensure that such participation, beyond meeting an immediate need, also provides an opportunity—particularly for young people—to become more familiar with social issues and to promote a culture of responsibility, charitable giving, empathy, and voluntary service.

The Name “Mother Mehraban”

The Foundation carries out its activities in remembrance of Umm al-Mu’minin Khadijah al-Kubra (peace be upon her), and the name “Mother Mehraban” reflects this connection.

The Foundation seeks to use occasions that are significant to its identity—including the anniversary of its establishment, the wedding anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) and Khadijah (peace be upon her), the commemoration of Khadijah’s passing, Children’s Day, and other relevant occasions—as opportunities to expand charitable activities and provide meals for those in need.

Alongside these occasions, the Foundation’s programs continue throughout the year in accordance with the needs of the children and families it supports, the resources available, and the participation of benefactors and volunteers.

Mother Mehraban seeks to ensure that helping others, while meeting their needs, is accompanied by respect for human dignity, protection of children’s privacy, and the creation of experiences marked by kindness and hope.