Updated 4 November 2008
Last Ramadhan, the Ramadhan Relief Programme extended to Northern Pakistan, an isolated section of the country where a great number of our brothers and sisters live and rely on the support of Mo’mineen from around the world.
One of our partnering agencies in this region have stated: “Please convey our gratitude to the donors and philanthropists who generously donated for lessening the hardships of believers during the Holy month of Ramadhan Al-Mubarak. A report portraying the major activities carried out during the Holy month of Ramadhan Al-Mubarak is submitted below for your kind information.”
GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS
Ramadhan Relief activities have been carried out in the following geographical areas of the country:
- Earthquake Affected Areas of AJK (Azad Jamu & Kashmir)
- Earthquake Affected Areas of Mansehra District of N.W.F.P
- Chiniot (Punjab)
- Sialkot (Punjab)
- Chakwal (Punjab)
- Karachi (Sindh)
- Interior Sindh
- Parachinar (FATA: Federally Administered Tribal Areas)
- Skardu / Baltistan (Northern Areas) and its surrounding valleys
- Gilgit (Northern Areas)
Special attention was been paid to earthquake affected areas of Azad Jamu Kashmir & Mansehra District N.W.F.P. and the neglected valleys of Balatistan.
SUPPORT FOR THE SADAT
1) Cash Assistance For Medical Care to Needy Sadat Patients
- A large portion of the donations received has been spent on providing cash assistance to nearly 100 needy Sadat patients who could not afford the expenses of complete medical care
- Some cancer patients as well as those injured in near fatal road crashes were also among the beneficiaries who were given funds to purchase urgently needed medicines and medical tests and examinations.
- Medical patients were from the deprived rural areas of Baltistan, Parachinar, interior Sindh, earthquake affected areas of AJK & Mansehra District to some fairly developed urban localities of the country like Islamabad, Rawalpindi and others.
2) Financial Assistance to Deserving Sadat Students
- More than 20 deserving Sadat students from diverse localities were given financial assistance to help meet their monthly educational expenses.
3) Sadat Teachers Serving Religious Institutions
- Included Sadat teachers serving religious institutions in the remote areas of the country (particularly those serving in the earthquake affected areas of AJK & Mansehra and in the far-off rural areas of Baltistan).
- These teachers play a vital role in equipping the youths of rural areas with the wealth of knowledge and wisdom according to Islamic teachings, hence, doing a great job for whole community.
- Normally, their monthly salaries are minimal; hence keeping in view the financial hardships they continue to face, additional financial assistance during the month of Ramadhan is provided ;
4) Improving Food Standard in Religious Institutions
- A small portion of the Ramadhan Relief fund was distributed to different religious institutions for providing more healthier foods during the Holy month of Ramadhan.
- Generally, these institutions serve a very routine menu to their students because of scare resources they have.
- At least, 2,000 students have benefited through this programme
5) Iftaar in 2005 Earthquake Affected Areas
- A small portion of the donations received was allocated to organizing Iftaars at various mosques and imambargahs for those Sadats affected by the great earthquake of October 08, 2005.
- Some Ulema (Religious Scholars) were also invited to attend these gatherings.
- At the close of dinner, these Ulema delivered a sermon expressing sympathies to victims of the quake.
- Over 1,500 Sadat victims attended these dinners in different areas of AJK and Mansehra District of NWFP.
6) Food Items (Free Ration Facility) & Warm Clothing / Blankets
- Almost 20 widows (Sadat) and 30 needy Sadats have benefited from this program
- Every year, essential food items, warm clothing and blankets are distributed to the needy Sadat during the Holy month of Ramadhan.
FITRA
Fitra funds were provided to the Non-Sadaat in the following ways:
- Cash assistance to teachers serving religious institutions
- Cash assistance to patients for medical care
- Free ration (food items) and warm clothing and blankets
- Cash assistance to the poor who visited the Agency offices during the month of Ramadhan
- Assisting needy students to continue with their education
For more information, email relief@world-federation.org