Saghir Aslam’s
Update from the Quake Site
This is my third day here
after some meetings and visits I thought I better give all
of my brothers and sisters an up date right from the scene.
This morning we started right after Suhur. I will not write
much about Abbotabad Balakot and other places like that
as you get those news every day in the media. I am going
to share with you some of the remotest places we visited.
The places where no one has reached yet. With Allah S.T.
blessing we were able to contribute a little. May Allah
S.T. accept our efforts.
The first place we went to was Ghari Habibullah, we had
one of the active Colonel (Mushtaq) with us, when we arrived
in Ghari Habibullah we got hold of another locals person.
Under the circumstances the conditions are OK. The Army
had set up some tents, different organizations have set
up tents and the food was provided to them. This all was
very comforting that after these people have lost their
homes and many of them have lost loved ones, at least they
had a place to stay even though it was only a tent.
From there we proceeded and while driving what looked like
approximately 400 ft wide river with very little water in
it. More like river for the rain. Lots of heavy stones,
we had an excellent driver, he drove for few miles and then
he gave up so we had to rent a jeep. Good thing we did because
along the way it was very rough then we went up the hills
higher and higher. No other vehicle but a jeep would have
made it. This was the village called Gul Mehra. There people
had no tents; they did receive small amount of food by helicopter.
They had some of their loved ones buried alive under the
rubble as part of the mountain just came down like land
sliding. Our jeep driver had lost three of his children
and his home was destroyed. They had no tents and the weather
was freezing, it was so cold, I had to wear a sweater, heavy
jacket, hat and a muffler. My heart was crying what would
these people do at night when it is even colder and when
it rains. It was really unbelievable here in the middle
of no where, miles away.
Now the good news: I talked to Br. Nasim Ashraf this morning
and Insha-Allah he is going to get some food dropped off
by helicopter and he is going to work on the tents. At present
he has none but there are some volunteers coming from China.
Colonel Mushtaq was really helpful in trying to guide us.
From there, there is another place, Colonel Mushtaq confirmed
with us about which jeeps cannot go there so the only way
to reach there is walking little over two hours, one way.
The story for them was even worse as they had not even received
any food.
After a phone call from Br. Safi this morning, I am going
to hire some local people, buy some food and basic necessities
and Insha-Allah we will provide it to them. We will try
to do this as soon as possible.
By the way we got home after midnight. Please pray for us
all, Insha-Allah I will keep you posted.
Saghir Aslam
Please make donations to:
International Education and Welfare Society
10351 Parkview Ave
Westminster, CA 92683
Tax ID #: 33-0716944
Contact: 714-531-7995
Email: saghiraslam@aol.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
