Saghir Aslam Receives Prestigious Humanitarian Award from Access California Services
Access California Services (ACS) presented Mr Saghir Aslam, Founder, Saba Trust, with its prestigious Humanitarian Award at the Hilton Anaheim Hotel on February 9 on the occasion of ACS Gala 2019.
The award was given in recognition of Mr Aslam’s “humanitarian work for many years” and for his tireless efforts in transforming “the livelihood of countless families and young children though building the Saba Homes orphanage, establishing a medical clinic, and visiting devastated villages after earthquake catastrophes to provide relief. Your passion to serve is endless. You are an inspiring leader…”
Access California Services is a culturally sensitive community-based organization dedicated
to empowering all underserved populations, with a focus on Arab- American and Muslim- American communities. It “strives to enhance the quality of life and foster self-determination through direct health and human services.”
Mr Aslam, well-known in the community for his multifarious services, sounded truly inspirational to the 600-strong audience as he delivered his address to thunderous applause in the glittering Hilton Hall. In doing so, he also paid rich tributes to Access California Services that has touched the lives of many in need and brought about a wholesome change:
“It is with deepest gratitude that I thank Access California Services for considering me worthy of the Humanitarian Award. It is an honor for me and I am truly humbled to be standing before all of you.
“It is most important for me to thank Allah SWT for the blessings He has bestowed upon me that have opened the door for this noble work. I am first and foremost a Servant to Allah SWT, and with each day that passes, I do my best to deliver this humanitarian work for His sake.
“My journey to becoming a humanitarian and giving back to the community began from my humble beginnings, growing up in refugee camps in India in 1947. I truly felt the despair of living the life of a refugee and experienced the trials and tribulations, but by the grace of Allah, my family and I eventually moved to Pakistan to begin a new and better life.
“Although Pakistan was a gateway to success, my dream of going to college in America became a reality in 1957. In the land of opportunity, I worked as a gardener, a handy man, a janitor, a dish washer, until I was promoted to a management position. I was blessed to open 35 Broadway Stores in five states which gave me the opportunity to travel around the world and open our chain of stores.
“My wife Bushra and I decided to dedicate our lives to the work of humanity concentrating on health, education, and alleviation of poverty. Our passion took us to Pakistan, Kashmir, India, Iran, Palestine, Bosnia and other places where we established medical clinics and provided disaster relief post-earthquakes and tsunamis.
“Here in America, I also contributed as one of the Founders of the Islamic Society of Orange County and Orange Crescent School, helped at ground level organizations such as CAIR, Islamic Relief, MPAC and a few masajid around southern California, just to name a few, but one of the greatest accomplishments my wife and I had was that we founded Saba Homes, a home to empower orphans in Pakistan – a place where orphans can receive proper education, leadership training, medical care, love and support so they may become future leaders – movers and shakers.
“I am very honored to be recognized for these contributions and because of Allah’s will, I am able to give back in this way.
“My life experiences of hardship and work led me to commit to those in need which is why I am so honored to receive this award from Access California Services. Access California Services is a critical organization in our community as it brings in people who are in need, who are struggling, who are new to this country and need a helping hand to begin their lives.
I know what life is like as a refugee and as a struggling immigrant, but I know there is hope to succeed. When I was struggling in my own life and trying to build myself, I wish there was an organization like Access California Services to help me. Access California Services is uplifting those in need and giving them the resources to lead successful lives so that one day they too can be in a position to give back - and what a blessed world we would have for those who received – to give back and to keep this culture of altruism alive.
“Access California Services, like Saba Homes, has the vision and mission to empower those in need to have them succeed and become contributing citizens. This is my passion, and I am so grateful to be recognized in the name of this vision. Thank you.
“I would like to end here but before that I would like to leave the youth with one simple message and that is - “honest hard work pays off”. Thank you.”
The theme of Access California Services Gala 2019 was ‘Preserving Dignity, Enriching Lives.’ The evening’s Keynote Speaker was Ada F. Briceño, a leading Orange County community activist. The honorees included Mr Saghir Aslam, Pacific Investment Management Company LLC, and Syrian American Medical Society.
The function was largely attended.
