Do Something,
Cambridge University!
By Sir Cam
Cambridge, UK
The phone rang. It was Ali. He had
an idea, a plea. Sounding rather somber, he felt
we must DO SOMETHING in aid of the devastating
earthquake that hit Pakistan on October 8. How
about a charity dinner, and since it was Ramadan,
an Iftar-cum-Fundraiser? A kind of eat-to-feed
appeal. Sounded great. Ali Azeem was most enthusiastic:
something had to be done, like, NOW. Contact Professor
Haroon Ahmed, I suggested.
Prof Haroon Ahmed’s response was absolutely
fabulous. As the Master of Corpus Christi College
(www.corpus.cam.ac.uk) -- the first and only Pakistani
master of an Oxbridge college – he invited
us all to the plush surroundings of the Master’s
Lodge.
Samosas, spicy chicken, and other delicacies awaited
us. “Three million homeless!” Another
samosa. “Schools, hospitals, clinics --
all flattened!” Yes, a bit more of that
roast. “And the dead -- tauba, tauba!”
Coke or Sprite?
This is a tragedy at a massive, unprecedented
scale. The chap from Islamic Relief (www.islamic-relief.org.uk)
highlighted the charity’s relief efforts
and appealed for students to get involved in humanitarian
work. And that is the only way: GET INVOLVED!
Every little helps. Ali’s initiative, Prof
and Mrs Ahmed’s hospitality, and the running
about by a few students not only made the event
memorable but crucially, made a contribution toward
the much needed assistance for the Quake Appeal.
CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL
What an amazing thing, I thought.
One of the city schools this week asked its pupils
to discard school uniform for a day, to dress
in PAKISTANI GREEN AND WHITE instead, and, for
the privilege, asked all pupils to contribute
a pound for the earthquake appeal! Yes, these
“Gorays”, are caring, loving beings.
Pakistan and the earthquake may be miles away,
but the English are not a heartless lot. They
have dug into their pockets and given in charity.
Makes you proud to be both British AND Pakistani.
I know about this school, Impington Village School/College
(www.impington.cambs.sch.uk), because two of my
little ones go there. The idea of a non-uniform
“Pakistan Day” was that of the school
head, Mrs Jacqueline Kearns. Unlike schools in
predominantly “desi” parts of the
country, where there are many South Asian pupils,
Impington only has a handful. So, to have a special
day to raise awareness about the terrible earthquake
in such a school is even more noteworthy. We need
more bridge-builders like Mrs Kearns.
CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY
“Any member of your family
affected by the quake?” asked the English
lady. No, but that’s very nice of you to
ask, my dear. It is soothing to know the community
around you cares. “Here’s a fiver
for the Earthquake Appeal,” offered the
English gentleman. Well, thank you, that’s
kind of you. “Awful, terrible,” commented
the young lad. Even he was moved by the news of
the earthquake. You see, most ordinary “Western”
folk do care. DO YOU? And if so, whadya gonna
do about it?
Down at the Cambridge Mosque they’re giving
generously. “Alhamdulillah.” And Muslim
students in the city are shaking the buckets.
Well done, guys! Whoever gives, GAINS. You LOSE,
by not giving. For in the end everything belongs
to the Almighty, the Giver. And one day you’ll
have nought but the good that you did.
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