Updated 18 November 2008

Imam Sadiq [a] said: "Verily, there are various degrees of serving Allah, but affection (and cordial inclination) for us, Ahlul Bayt, is the highest one."  Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 27, p. 91

In October 2008, The World Federation marked the 5th year of the Hadith-e-Kisa Blanket Drive, where warm blankets are distributed to the needy and destitute who suffer through cold winters because of the lack of adequate heating, blankets or shelter. In October 2008, The World Federation gifted another 2,500 good quality blankets to our brothers and sisters living in Northern Pakistan.

2008 BLANKET DISTRIBUTION
The World Federation is most grateful to Ali Raza Bhai Lakhani and Shiraz Bhai Onali for their continued support of the Blanket Drive. From 20 to 23 October 2008, both of these dedicated volunteers travelled to four villages in the Gilgit region of Pakistan:  Deniyor, Askurdas, Sumayer and Shahyar. Most of these villages are about 8,000 feet above sea level.

ADDRESSING THE MO’MINEEN
In each of these rural communities, Ali Raza Bhai addressed the Mo’mineen who gathered at the local Mosques to receive the blankets. He informed them that:

• The blankets were a gift from The World Federation in commemoration of the event of Hadith-e-Kisa.
• The blankets were a symbol of the love of our Panjatan (as) who keep the Mo’mineen warm.
• The blankets gifted to the Mo’mineen residing in the mountainous areas were meant to provide protection against the severe cold.
• The love of Ahlul Bayt (as) brings Mo’mineen all over the World closer to each other and the gift of these blankets is a result of this love.
• Mo’mineen should always remember the event of Hadith-e-Kisa to keep the love for the Ahlul Bayt (as) alive in their hearts.

ABOUT GILGIT

In the district of Gilgit, people live in mountainous terrain where villages are scattered throughout the land. Means of communication is poor to non-existent. Travelling is difficult as the roads are mostly made of gravel and wind in and out of the mountains. Ali Raza Bhai and Shiraz Bhai had the opportunity to visit other institutions in the region including: 

• A Dispensary for Women – which addresses the medical needs of women in the region; also provides training for the local women who wish to take up Nursing as a profession so that they can help the sick in their respective villages. A new fully equipped hospital is under construction.
  
  
• A Madressa Jamia-tus-Zahra – located in Aliabad in the valley of Hunza. The Madressa was first established in 2000 and a new building for the girls was completed in 2007. The complex includes a public library, computer lab with 12 computers, offices, classroom and a conference hall. A new two storey hostel is under construction for the female students.
  
  
• Central Masjid in Gilgit - This is a grand mosque constructed on 5 acres of land having three stories.
  
  
• Taleem Ghah Babul Ilm Orphanage – located in the near vicinity of the Grand Mosque of Gilgit. At present 21 orphans reside here where the children are taught Quran and Namaz. Plans are underway to construct another building to accommodate about 500 more children.

For more information, please email relief@world-federation.org