Keeping Hope Alive
By Naushad Sarwar
L to R: Consul General Jadmani,
Rashid Latif, Shakeel Syed, Anwar Khan, Aisha Wahab,
a speaker, Haris Tarin and Brother Muhammed |
Anaheim,
CA: In an effort to ensure continued support for the victims
of the earthquake that rocked the northern parts of Pakistan
on October 8, 2005, Islamic Relief Worldwide (www.irw.org)
held an impressive fundraiser at the Sheraton Anaheim on April
2, 2006. More than eight hundred guests attended the event
on the Sunday afternoon and donated generously to show their
support for the victims.
The rescue effort has been consistently supported by former
Pakistani cricket captain Mr. Rashid Lateef who has been in
the affected area and has worked continuously with Islamic
Relief, the first relief agency to reach the catastrophe-hit
area. Moin Khan, another big name in Pakistan cricket, could
not make it as he had faced visa problems. Consul General
Noor Muhammed Jadmani graced the evening to ensure that the
drive to raise funds for the quake victims sustains its momentum
and enjoys the continued support of the community.
“This is our obligation to gather ourselves and reach
out those whose dignity doesn’t allow to ask for help,”
Mr. Shakeel Siddique told the audience. He also congratulated
Islamic Relief for providing an opportunity to participate
in the colossal mission of rebuilding the lives and restoring
the hope of the earthquake victims. “It is always a
handful of people who bring out a positive change and tonight
we will do our part in doing precisely that. Hope is the epitome
of human life and endeavor,” Mr. Shakeel Siddique added.
Above: Guests at the Islamic Relief Fundraiser
|
Consul
General Jadmani who is liked by one and all in the Pakistani-American
community and has rendered valuable services since 2003, extended
his felicitations to the community for having supported the
noble cause in a big way. “ I thank the famous Rashid
Lateef and Moin Khan for their continued efforts not only
in cricket but in times when Pakistan needed them for their
stamina, courage and devotion for such a catastrophe,”
Mr. Jadmani commented. He also commended the role of Islamic
Relief in the rescue, relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction
effort.
Mr. Rashid Lateef described the magnitude of the calamity
faced by the victims of the October 2005 disaster. The mammoth
shock has definitely brought the Pakistani community together
worldwide like a sporting team that wins the match even at
tough times, he added. He tearfully urged the audience to
contribute generously to the earthquake relief effort. The
count of families who lost their sons, daughters, fathers,
mothers, and even all members, was appreciably high.
A video describing the disaster that descended the northern
areas on October 8, 2005 left the audience breathless and
teary-eyed. The video also detailed the amenities that Islamic
Relief was able to provide to the affected population.
Mr. Haris Tarin emceed the event and commented that the Los
Angeles community had once again proved that it would never
let Islamic Relief down and would rise to the occasion to
keep hope alive.
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