Page 17 - Urdu Link - May 25, 2018

COMMUNITY MAY 25, 2018 – PAKISTAN LINK – P17
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VOL. 28/21 Friday, May 25, 2018 10 Ramadan 1439

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PAGE 17
Family and Friends SCMCO Organizes Miandad for For news,

Mourn Second Masjid Abolishing Toss updated round
the clock, visit
Sabika Sheikh Golf Tournament from Cricket www.PakistanLink.com
Impressive SADA Foundation Fundraiser in Sacramento

SADA’s mission is “to promote special abilities through social inclusion of people with disabilities” and that is what it is pursuing with vigor
n By Ras H. Siddiqui
remote area of a country with many challenges that 3 out of 4 state governments (Balochistan,
he Special Abilities Development As- even for “normal” people. He said that both his Sindh and Punjab) have adopted some laws
sociation (SADA) which was started hands and legs were affected by the disease at (Pakistan Disabilities Act) on the rights of the
Tin Lower Dir Khyber Pukhtoonkhawa age 3. He added that he crawled everywhere till handicapped. Unfortunately, the State Govern-
(KPK), Pakistan in the year 2005 was the the age of 13 or 14 and could not go to school. ment of KPK is still (surprisingly) lagging be-
focus of a fundraising effort in Sacramento It was not till 2002 that he felt that social inclu- hind in this area. Let us hope that acceptance
area, specifically Elk Grove, California, at the sion was even possible. He later observed that there becomes universal soon and that Khur-
Eden Gardens Event Center venue on May people with disabilities face huge challenges in sheed Sahib gets the support from people here
12, 2017. every area, in education and jobs. in America. And since Dir is in close proxim-
Though the attendance was very low for a He also revealed that if some helpful fa- ity of Swat, it would be nice if Malala Yousafzai
Saturday night (a day before Mother’s Day) it cilities and jobs are set aside for the disabled could add SADA and the rights of the disabled
was important for some of us to highlight the in Pakistan, many are taken over by “normal” to her agenda. here occurred when Komal invited anyone in
fact that people with disabilities in Pakistan people (who pretend to be disabled). He added Now turning to the rest of the event, em- the audience to come up on stage to participate
could use some assistance. SADA is a valiant that after observing such cheating and dis- cee Naeem Syed called everyone’s attention in a duet with her to which Dr Firdos respond-
effort and the fact that it started in a rural area crimination he decided to do something for around 10 pm. The invocation was delivered by ed. Komal praised her and naturally assumed
and not the large cities is noteworthy. People his community out of which the predecessor of Imam Aamir Hussain. Two kids from the area she was Pakistani but quickly learned that she
do not plan on having children with disabili- SADA came into being. SADA is now a regis- community also added their voice in appeal- was an Indian, to which Dr Firdos responded
ties but once this happens, or disease strikes in tered 501 (C) (3) in the USA. ing for this cause along with Dr Firdos Sheikh, while approaching the stage, “Should I go
families, the impact can be trying, if not dev- When we discussed the promotion of Javaid Akhtar, Sohail Shahzad, Durriya Syed, back?” generating a great deal of laughter. To-
astating. So right off the bat, the group which awareness about the rights of the disabled in Khursheed Alam Khursheed and Waqar Rizvi. gether they sang “Aap Jaisa Koi Meri Zindagi
brought this event to us here in California de- Pakistan, Khursheed Sahib said that this is Last but not least, the entertainment seg- Mei Aaye To Baat Bun Jaaey” from the Bolly-
serves to be praised. a movement (Tehreek) which is continuing. ment started with a single Ghazal presentation wood film Qurbani (1980) sung by Nazia Has-
SADA’s mission is “To promote special Different groups have been formed which are by “The Poet of the West” Javaid Sayed from san.
abilities through social inclusion of people focusing on the government there to pay atten- San Francisco and by Khursheed Sahib him- In closing, this event had a great deal to
with disabilities” and that is what it is pursu- tion to issues like accessibility to buildings and self. Plus, a very impressive closing by superstar offer, a great cause, and a convenient Saturday
ing with vigor. I got a chance to speak with special education. The Americans with Dis- Komal Rizvi, who sang quite a varied bouquet night, plus very good entertainment. A huge
SADA’s wheelchair bound President Khur- abilities Act (ADA) in the USA can be taken of songs. It was a wonderful performance by “Thank You” is due to the few people who at-
sheed Alam Khursheed and found him to be as a model on this subject as no public build- Komal who presented numbers sung previ- tended and donated for people with disabilities.
extremely motivated about the organization ing or facility built in the last several decades ously by the late Reshma, Madam Noor Jehan, And for those who could not make it please
and its work. Struck by polio at an early age, in this country can be approved for occupancy Nazia Hassan and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan plus a take the opportunity to learn more about the
Khursheed shared his journey with this writer without providing access to the physically couple of great Baluchi songs. SADA foundation from their Web site at http://
on growing up with a disability in a relatively handicapped. In Pakistan, it was good to learn One humorous note, worthy of mention sada.org.pk/. The need is great.

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