Tonight may be Laylatul Qadr (pronounced “LIE-lah-tool KAH-dr”)—the Night of Power. The Qur’an describes it as “better than a thousand months” (Qur’an 97:3). In plain English for everyone: Muslims believe this is one of the most sacred nights of the year, when acts of mercy and giving can echo far beyond this moment.

So I want to try something with you.

Not a long explanation. Not a guilt trip. A simple challenge.

A 3-minute Laylatul Qadr challenge.

Set a timer for three minutes. And in those three minutes, do two things:

1) Choose your act of mercy for Gaza tonight.
Pick one (or both) and move immediately:

Option A: Fund warm Iftar meals for families in Gaza (immediate impact tonight)
support the people of Gaza this Ramadan

Option B: Sponsor a newly orphaned child in Gaza (long-term stability for a child)
support orphans with Shaun

If you’re stuck, here’s the shortcut:

• Meals = “feed a family tonight.”

• Orphans = “carry a child for the long road.”

Meals again: support the people of Gaza this Ramadan
Orphans again: support orphans with Shaun

2) Bring three people with you.
Before your timer ends, send one quick text to three people you trust:

“Tonight may be Laylatul Qadr. Please pick one—meals or orphans—and do it tonight.”

That’s it.

Because here’s what I’ve learned the hard way: most people care. Most people mean well. Most people intend to help.

But intentions don’t deliver meals. And intentions don’t sponsor orphans.

Action does.

A few things I always keep crystal clear:

• Donations are tax-deductible where applicable (you’ll receive a receipt through the platform/charity).

• This giving is Zakat-eligible / Zakat-verified.

• And I do not receive a percentage or a single penny from either campaign—I take $0.

Family, Gaza doesn’t need perfect words tonight. Gaza needs food. Gaza needs stability. Gaza needs us to be the kind of people who don’t just feel mercy—we move it.

Meals link one more time: support the people of Gaza this Ramadan
Orphans link one more time: support orphans with Shaun

Love and appreciate each of you.
Your friend and brother,
Shaun

As-Salaam-Alaikum my sisters and brothers,

A quick check-in as this night unfolds.

For my Muslim family: many of us believe tonight may be Laylatul Qadr (pronounced “LIE-lah-tool KAH-dr”)—the Night of Power, described in the Qur’an as “better than a thousand months” (Qur’an 97:3).

For my non-Muslim family: in plain English, Muslims believe tonight is a once-a-year moment where giving and mercy carry extraordinary spiritual weight.

So I’m asking you to do something simple and concrete in the next few minutes:

Choose ONE act of mercy tonight.
Not ten things. Not a perfect plan. One decision.

Option A: Fund warm Iftar meals for families in Gaza
Support the people of Gaza this Ramadan

Option B: Sponsor a newly orphaned child in Gaza
Support orphans with Shaun

If you’ve been meaning to give but you’re stuck in “analysis,” here’s the shortcut:

• If you want immediate impact tonight, choose meals.

• If you want long-term stability for a child, choose orphans.

Meals: Support the people of Gaza this Ramadan
Orphans: Support orphans with Shaun

A few things I want to keep crystal clear:

• Donations are tax-deductible where applicable (you’ll receive a receipt through the platform/charity).

• This giving is Zakat-eligible / Zakat-verified.

• And I want to be absolutely clear: I do not receive a percentage or a single penny from either campaign. I take $0.

Family, the reason I’m emailing more today is not because I love sending emails. It’s because this is the kind of night where people say, “I’ll do it later,” and later becomes never.

Gaza doesn’t get “later.” Gaza gets tonight.

One more thing that matters more than people realize: if you donate, please forward this to 3 people and tell them: “Pick one—meals or orphans—and do it tonight.”

Meals link again: Support the people of Gaza this Ramadan
Orphans link again: Support orphans with Shaun

Love and appreciate each of you.
Your friend and brother,
Shaun

Please CLICK HERE to Donate, OK?

As-Salaam-Alaikum my sisters and brothers,

We have 2 hours left in this contest window to sponsor as many orphaned children in Gaza as possible.

I want to try something different with you in this email.

For a moment, forget the leaderboard. Forget the “contest.” Forget the noise.

Picture one child in Gaza—one child who lost their parents, whose world changed in a single day, who is now trying to grow up inside devastation that no child should ever have to carry.

Now imagine what it means for that child to learn: someone, somewhere, chose me.

That’s what sponsorship does. It turns a child from “unseen” to covered. From “forgotten” to carried. From “alone” to not alone.

So I’m asking you to do something simple in the next two hours: sponsor one orphaned child.

click here to sponsor an orphan in Gaza

And here’s what makes this even more personal than it’s ever been: within the first few weeks of sponsoring, you will receive a photo, a name, and some details about the child (or children) you’re sponsoring. You’ll be able to pray for them by name. You’ll know who you’re standing with.

Family, I’m crazy about these kids. When I began this project, I promised we would sponsor 2,000 orphaned children in Gaza. I am still committed to that promise. Not because it’s a nice number, but because it’s a real line in the sand: we will not leave them behind.

And yes—our faith teaches us to race toward good deeds. This is the kind of “competition” Allah loves: not ego, not bragging, but mercy. The Sahaba competed like that—because they couldn’t stand the idea of holding back when people needed help.

A few things I want to keep crystal clear:

• Donations are tax-deductible where applicable (you’ll receive a receipt through the platform/charity).

• This support is Zakat-eligible.

• And I want to be absolutely clear: I do not receive a percentage or a single penny from this. I take $0.

If you can sponsor one child in the next 2 hours, please do it now.
If Allah has blessed you with more, sponsor two or three.

And if you already sponsor a child, here’s how you can help in 30 seconds: forward this email to three people and tell them, “Sponsor one child before this window closes.”

Here is the link again:
click here to sponsor an orphan in Gaza

Two hours left, family.

Let’s put our mercy on the record.

Love and appreciate each of you.
Your friend and brother,
Shaun

Family,

We have 8 hours left in this 24-hour push to sponsor as many orphaned children in Gaza as we can.

Here’s the good news: we are now in 4th place.
We were in 9th. Alhamdulillah. That climb did not happen by accident—it happened because people moved.

Here’s the bad news: the project in 1st place is still working hard. They are not slowing down.

But I need you to hear me: we can catch up.

Right now, we are only 21 sponsorships away from 1st place.
Twenty-one.

That is not a mountain. That is a moment. That is a small group of people deciding to do something big.

And if we take 1st place, an extra $7,000 gets added directly for the children. That’s not a “prize” for me. That’s real support for kids who have lost parents, lost homes, lost safety, and lost the basic feeling that tomorrow will be okay.

So I’m saying it the only way I know how to say it:

ALL HANDS ON DECK.

Please sponsor an orphaned child right now: click here to sponsor an orphan in Gaza

I am crazy about these children. When I started this orphan project in Gaza, I promised we would sponsor 2,000 children. I meant it then, and I mean it now. I’m not letting these kids fall through the cracks while the world scrolls.

And there is one major update that makes this even more personal:

Within the first few weeks of donating, you will receive a photo, a name, and some details about the child (or children) you are sponsoring.
This won’t be abstract. You’ll be able to pray for them by name. You’ll know who you’re standing with.

Sponsor now: click here to sponsor an orphan in Gaza

Competing for good is part of who we are

In Islam, we are told to race toward good deeds. This isn’t the kind of “competition” that’s ego and vanity. This is the kind of competition where the prize is mercy.

And the Sahaba lived that.

‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) once tried to outdo Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) in charity by bringing half of what he owned. Then Abu Bakr came and brought everything, saying he left his family “Allah and His Messenger.” ‘Umar said he could never beat him.

That story isn’t telling us to show off. It’s telling us what a heart looks like when it’s fully awake—when people are hurting and you refuse to hold back.

That’s what we need in these last 8 hours.

Here’s what I’m asking you to do

If you can sponsor one child, please do it right now.

If Allah has blessed you with the ability to sponsor two or three, please do it.

And if you already sponsor a child and can’t add another right now, then do the most powerful free thing you can do:

Forward this to three people you trust.

Here’s the link again: click here to sponsor an orphan in Gaza

A few things I want to keep crystal clear:

• Donations are tax-deductible where applicable (you’ll receive a receipt through the platform/charity).

• This support is Zakat-eligible.

• And I want to be absolutely clear: I do not receive a percentage or a single penny from this. I take $0.

Family, we have already proven we can climb.
We went from 9th to 4th.

Now we have to finish.

21 sponsorships. 8 hours.

Let’s do something beautiful for these kids.

Sponsor now: click here to sponsor an orphan in Gaza

Love and appreciate each of you.
Your friend and brother,
Shaun

Please CLICK HERE to Donate, OK?

As-Salaam-Alaikum, my sisters and brothers.

It’s Ramadan Day 1. Alhamdulillah. And today I’m asking you for something very specific—because we have a rare opening right now to turn momentum into real meals for families in Gaza and unlock extra money for them on top of what we raise.

Here’s where we are at this moment:

We’ve raised $112,812 with 1,169 supporters.

And LaunchGood has a Ramadan Daily Contest happening right now. We are currently in 6th place—but 1st place is only about $6,000 ahead of us.

And if we take 1st place, LaunchGood adds an extra $5,000 directly to our Gaza fundraiser.

That means this is one of those moments where a small, focused sprint doesn’t just help—it multiplies.

So please, right now, support the people of Gaza this Ramadan.

Let me also say three things clearly, because I want you to feel safe and confident giving:

This fundraiser is tax-deductible.
It is Zakat-eligible.
And I do not receive a percentage or a single penny from this fundraiser—I take $0. Not a fee. Not a cut. Not a “commission.” This is for Gaza, full stop.

Now here’s the strategy for the next few hours—and I need you to lock in with me.

This is a “Ramadan sprint,” not a vague wish

We don’t need a miracle. We need a surge.

$6,000 is the gap between where we are and 1st place. And 1st place unlocks $5,000 more for Gaza.

So in plain English:

If we can raise enough in the next few hours to jump to #1, we don’t just feed families with what we raise—we trigger another $5,000 added to the campaign.

That’s why I’m pushing so hard right now.

Please donate here: support the people of Gaza this Ramadan.

Why giving in Ramadan hits different

I’m going to speak from the heart for a second.

Ramadan is the month where Allah opens doors. It’s the month where mercy multiplies. It’s the month where the reward for giving—especially feeding people—is not “normal.”

And one of the most beautiful teachings of our Prophet ﷺ is about feeding a fasting person—the reward is massive, because the act itself is mercy.

But this year, Gaza is fasting inside a cage of trauma.

They’re fasting under devastation that has been ongoing for over two years. They’re fasting while the world debates their humanity like it’s a political question.

So when you give right now—especially for Iftar meals—you are doing something that is both spiritual and painfully practical:

You are helping a family break the fast with dignity.

You’re telling them: you are not alone.

Donate here: support the people of Gaza this Ramadan.

What I’m asking you to do right now

I’m asking you for one of two actions—preferably both:

1) Give immediately.
Whatever you can do—$10, $25, $50, $100, $250—move right now. The only thing that matters in a contest window is speed and volume.

2) Bring two people with you.
Not later. Not “sometime this week.” Right now. Text them the link and ask them to give today.

This contest is decided by momentum. And we are close enough that a focused push can absolutely put us in 1st.

Here’s the link again: support the people of Gaza this Ramadan.

If you want a simple target, here it is

I’m not going to overcomplicate this. I want us to close the gap and win.

Here’s one clean way to do it:

• If 120 people give $50, that’s $6,000.

• If 240 people give $25, that’s $6,000.

• If 60 people give $100, that’s $6,000.

That’s it. That’s the whole math.

And then we unlock $5,000 more for Gaza.

Please donate now: support the people of Gaza this Ramadan.

A quick reminder for anyone new here

This is tax-deductible.
This is Zakat-eligible.
And I receive $0 from it.

I’m pushing because the need is brutal and immediate, and because Ramadan is the month where we’re supposed to turn belief into action.

A lot of people say they love Gaza.
Today is a chance to show it in the most direct way possible: food.

Please copy/paste this text to 3 people

If you’re reading this and you can’t donate much, I still need you. Sharing is how we win the contest.

Copy and send this:

Ramadan Day 1: We’re raising warm Iftar meals for families in Gaza. We’re in 6th place and only ~$6,000 from 1st. If we get 1st, LaunchGood adds $5,000 to Gaza. It’s Zakat-eligible + tax-deductible and Shaun takes $0. Give here: https://www.launchgood.com/v4/campaign/support_the_people_of_gaza_this_ramadan_w_shaun_king

And if you can donate right now, please do it here: support the people of Gaza this Ramadan.

I’m going to keep pushing today because we are close enough to taste 1st place. And that extra $5,000 isn’t a trophy.

It’s meals. It’s dignity. It’s families breaking their fast with something warm in their hands.

Let’s win this for Gaza.

Love and appreciate each of you.
Your friend and brother,
Shaun

CLICK HERE to Purchase Food for Gaza!

We crossed $100,000 yesterday.

Not because the problem is solved.
Not because Gaza is suddenly safe.

We crossed $100,000 because you refused to let Ramadan arrive with empty pots.

Right now, the campaign is at $100,902 with 1,062 supporters. Thank you. Seriously.

Now I need you to hear me: the next $49,098 is the difference between “some nights” and “every night.”

Ramadan begins this week.

And in Gaza it’s a countdown to whether families will have warm Iftar meals when the sun drops.

If you can give right now, please donate here: support the people of Gaza this Ramadan.

I want to explain something that most people don’t understand—and it’s why fundraising surges before Ramadan are so critical.

You can’t serve Iftar on “intentions.”
You serve Iftar on food that has been purchased, secured, and scheduled.

That means:

• supplies locked in before the rush

• kitchens staffed and coordinated

• meals planned so this doesn’t collapse halfway through the month

This is why I’m aiming for $150,000 before Thursday. It creates the stability to feed families reliably, not randomly.

Please donate here: support the people of Gaza this Ramadan.

And let me be blunt—because Gaza has been forced to endure polite lies for over two years.

People love to say: “I’ll give during Ramadan.”

But Gaza cannot wait for the first night if the ingredients aren’t secured.
Children can’t break their fast on a promise you meant to keep later.
Mothers can’t feed their families with “I’ll do it tomorrow.”

If you’re going to help, the most powerful time is right now.

Donate here: support the people of Gaza this Ramadan.

If you’re Muslim, you already know what it means to feed a fasting person. If you’re not Muslim, here’s the plain truth: Ramadan is built around empathy for hunger. It’s a month where your conscience is supposed to wake up and stay awake.

And Gaza is experiencing hunger—forced hunger—on top of grief, on top of displacement, on top of trauma.

So I’m asking you for a specific, clear thing:

Help us hit $150,000 before Thursday.

Not because $150,000 is a cute number.
Because it means more nights covered, more families reached, and less chaos once Ramadan begins.

Please donate here: support the people of Gaza this Ramadan.

Some of you can give $10. Some of you can give $25. Some of you can do $250 or $1,000 without blinking. I’m not here to shame anybody—I’m here to tell the truth:

This is one of those moments where the people with margin have a moral obligation to move first.

If you can, choose a number and do it now:

• $25

• $50

• $100

• $250

• $500

• $1,000

And if you can’t donate today, then do the other thing that actually moves the needle:

Share the link with three people and ask them to give today. Not “sometime this week.” Today.

Here is the link again: support the people of Gaza this Ramadan.

Let me give you a sentence you can copy and send as a text right now:

We crossed $100K for Gaza Iftar meals. Ramadan starts Thursday. Please help push this to $150K in 4 days so families can eat nightly: https://www.launchgood.com/v4/campaign/support_the_people_of_gaza_this_ramadan_w_shaun_king

This is what I believe with my whole chest:

No family in Gaza should have to break the fast with nothing.
Not because they didn’t work hard enough.
Not because they “failed.”
But because the world failed them—and we’re refusing to be part of that failure.

Thank you for helping us reach $100,000.
Now let’s finish this push and hit $150,000 before Thursday.

Please donate here: support the people of Gaza this Ramadan.

Love and appreciate each of you.
Your friend and brother,
Shaun

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And in interviews this week, they are already making an enormous mistake that will doom their future

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I call this “transactional activism,” but that’s being generous. Let me unpack and explain it

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