One million flood-hit Pakistanis still need basic aid

One million flood-hit Pakistanis still living in camps and makeshift shelters in the south, are in desperate need of basic lifesaving aid, four months after one of the biggest humanitarian crises in recent times, a senior U.N. official said.

The floods which started in July, decimated entire villages from the far north to the deep south, disrupting the lives of more than 18 million people in a disaster aid workers say was bigger than the 2004 tsunami or January's earthquake in Haiti.

But while water levels have receded in the northern parts of the country and many of those uprooted are returning home, the head of the U.N. office responsible for emergencies in Pakistan said lifesaving aid is still urgently required in the south.

"We have a protracted humanitarian crisis in the south where we still have one million people displaced because of flooding in the province of Sindh," Manuel Bessler, head of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Pakistan, told AlertNet in an interview.

"The basic survival items of food, water and sanitation, shelter and healthcare are urgently required."

PLEASE DONATE TO PUKAAR

Concerns over disease raised in Pakistan flood aftermath

Concerns over disease raised in Pakistan flood aftermath

When the tidal wave hit Rahimyar Khan in the southern part of the Punjab province, Pakistan, it ripped everything away – communities, homes, and livelihoods.

The people in the region have retreated to dams which are kilometres long and wait for help there. There's water to the left, there's water to the right. The villages have been destroyed completely.

The fields are still flooded. The muddy water sticks to the mango trees. At least 90 percent of the working population earned their living with agriculture, such as sugar cane, cotton, rice and mangos. What was once a fertile landscape is now suffocated by water and masses of mud.

A large number of goats and cows, which represented the basic income of many people, have died in the floods. Only some of the water buffalos survived. The people still depend on food packages which are being distributed by Caritas. Too many children still do not get enough or nothing to eat.

"The hygienic conditions for the people are disastrous. The children suffer the most. Almost all of them have skin diseases, their bodies are covered in insect bites and they are malnourished or suffer from diarrhoea. Good medical and hygienic care is urgently needed," said Monika Kalcsics of Caritas Austria.

READ ON

Pakistan Flood Update 2 September

Just saw this show on Live with Talat. Two docters talked many health issues which flood affectees are facing (specially in southern Pakistan). Some of these are listed below:

• Lack of water for drinking, washing, etc. People are drinking and washing with the same water causing many diseases and health issues.
• People were poor and barely meeting their nutritional needs in normal times. This flood has made things many times worse.
• Pregnant women are facing a hard time due to a lack of food, facilities, etc. Post-pregnancy problems are common and very hard to deal with.
• There is a lack of women health workers who can meet the needs of many women who have special needs.
• Water purification tablets are being mis-used or not used at all as people cant read the intructions or are not being told effectively on how to use these.
• There is inconsistency in aid distribution and even when people get food, they dont eat it as they dont know when the next batch of food will arrive causing further problems.
• The lack of concern from most politicians is appalling as these flood affectees are the same people who voted the current batch of "leaders" in. There needs to be leadership shone in these areas to organize coordinate and distribute the efforts effectively.

It is very humbling and moving to watch these TV shows which are talking about the Flood affectees. May Allah help us help them to the best of our abilities.

Fresh Flooding displaces a million people in 2 days! (Pakistan Flood Related Articles)

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Out of sight, out of mind, seems to be an apt proverb for the woes of the people of Dera Ismail Khan (DIK), where around 800,000 people are grappling with the horrors of the devastating floods. Malik Aslam Awan, a local journalist, said that, according to authorities, 32,000 houses have been destroyed, with 160 villages washed away and thrice the number partially damaged. But the sluggish response of the authorities had managed to distribute only about 7,500 tents to the survivors. READ MORE HERE:

http://tribune.com.pk/story/43642/out-of-sight-out-of-mind/

At the end of the journey, Mallah says that he is not happy. “The school where we are staying was a garbage dump when we arrived,” he said, adding that even though they had cleared it of garbage, the school is still a far sight away from being fit for habitation. “Even the fans are out of order,” he said, all the while blaming the Thatta administration for the hurried evacuation notice.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/43582/dead-playing-host-to-the-living/

"Diarrhea and cholera pose significant risks to already vulnerable communities and every effort must be taken to ensure clean water and proper sanitation remains a priority," Elsharkawi said in a news release issued this month.

Even though we've been asked to dig into our pockets and contribute to a multitude of causes over the last several months, helping Pakistani flood victims is vital.

As residents along the St. John River can attest to, there is little worse than having your life up-ended and belongings destroyed by overflowing water.

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/opinion/article/1192794

Fresh flooding in southern Pakistan has displaced almost a million people in the past 48 hours, the UN has said.

In Sindh province, 70% of the 300,000 residents of the town of Thatta have been forced to flee to safer areas after the Indus river burst its banks.

A UN spokeswoman said teams in the south were working around the clock.

Further north, floodwaters are starting to recede, revealing the full extent of the damage caused by the disaster that has affected some 17 million people.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11105661

Flood Update: They need us!

I just watched one of the best TV shows that is providing daily updates on the situation in Pakistan. Its called Live with Talat. Talat Hussain is also raising funds along with Kashif (both are TV anchors). Please donate to their fund as well as they are honest sincere people seem to to be one of the best informed and connected people in terms of helping flood affectees. They stated the following numbers which are staggering:

• As per the UN, out of the 6 million people in immediate need of food, only 2 million are getting food right now.
• 8 million people are stranded due to floods and there is a big shortage of helicopters to provide them with food.
• This is from yesterday's program, Baluchistan has at least 600,000 refugees who are not getting any food. Further many areas have been inaccessible due to roads being destroyed because of the floods!
• At least 50, 000 children are expected to die in the best case scenario due to cholera and other disease outbreaks.
• The money coming in needs to get translated into goods and services on the ground immediately so make sure you donate to someone who is capable of doing this.

This week, I will make separate posts about the effort of a childhood friend who is making efforts in person on the ground through his local connections in different affected areas. Anyways please donate and keep the affectees in your duas. It appears to be a natural disaster of the worst kind. Every dollar we donate could save someone's life!

Moving story of a five year old flood relief donator from the US

http://seekersguidance.org/blog/2010/08/islamic-relief-usa-a-young-girls-gift-to-flood-devastated-pakistan/

I found out she had recently seen images of the floods in Pakistan on the computer with her dad. My husband and I are so used to seeing images of devastation and terror that we have become desensitized. Children, however, are still innocent. My daughter could not fathom such things. She asked why the water was so brown and why it was everywhere. She saw a man grasping his two children and swimming with a terrified look on his face and asked why the people couldn’t just move and buy a new home and new clothes. Because she has visited Pakistan in the past, she asked if all my relatives she had met were okay. And then she asked, “What can we do?”

PLEASE DONATE!

BBC: Muhammad Hanif on Flood Victims and Terrorism

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8931886.stm

These areas are of no strategic interest to anyone because they have neither exported terrorism nor do they have the ambition to join a fight against it.

Their only export to the world outside is onions, tomatoes, sugar cane, wheat and mangoes.

Comprehensive List of Charities helping in Pakistan

A comprehensive list of charities doing work in Pakistan. The list is taken from Rahber:

http://www.rahber.org/floodrelief/organizations.html

Details of Organizations

Many organizations in different countries have started fund raising. [If you know more then please share with us at suleman.lists@gmail.com]

**NEW UPDATE**

PIA and Overseas Pakistanis (Overseas Pakistanis): All overseas Pakistani can drop relief goods/commodities in local PIA cargo offices. These items will be shipped free of charge to Pakistan. - click here for the call

PIA Cargo Offices in Europe - http://www.rahber.org/floodrelief/piacargoeurope.html

PIA Cargo (official site): http://www.piac.com.pk/PIA_Cargo/pia-Cargo.asp

//end

International

Islamic Relief - http://www.islamic-relief.com

http://www.islamic-relief.com/NewsRoom/4-306-islamic-relief-launches-2-million-appeal-for-pakistan-floods.aspx

http://www.islamicrelief.com/Donations/

UNICEF Internatonal: http://www.supportunicef.org/site/pp.asp?c=9fLEJSOALpE&b=6161181

Choose your country and then donate. All major countries are supported.

DEC and its Members: http://www.dec.org.uk/who_we_are/dec_members.html

UNICEF: UNICEF's Pakistan Flood Children's Appeal: http://www.unicef.org/index.php

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/pakistan_55400.html

Donate Now: http://www.supportunicef.org/site/pp.asp?c=9fLEJSOALpE&b=6161181

UNHCR: http://www.unhcr.org/emergency/pakistan/global_landing.html

http://www.unhcr.org/4c5969359.html

UN World Food Program: Appeal For Pakistan Flood Relief - http://www.wfp.org/

Donate here: https://www.wfp.org/donate/emergencies

CARE: Respond to Flood in Pakistan - http://www.care.org/

Donations: https://my.care.org/site/Donation2?df_id=7600&7600.donation=form1

Oxfam: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam_in_action/emergencies/pakistan-floods2010.html

Readers in the United Kingdom can send donations through text messaging as well. To donate by text message, text ‘DONATE’ to 70066 to give £5 Online

Donation Page https://www.oxfam.org.uk/donate/pakistan-floods/index.php

Online Donation Page for Oxfam America

Helping Hands - http://www.helpinghandonline.org/

https://www.helpinghandonline.org/donate.aspx?proid=75

Concern Worlswide: Emergency Appeal for Pakistan - http://www.concern.net/

Updates: http://www.concern.net/blogs/pakistan-floods-coverage

Donate here: https://www.concern.net/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=54

Muslim Hands: http://www.muslimhands.org/en/gb/

http://www.muslimhands.org/en/gb/appeals/pakistan_flood_crisis/

Muslime Aid: http://www.muslimaid.org/

http://www.muslimaid.org/index.php/what-we-do/477

International Medical Corps: http://www.internationalmedicalcorps.org/Pakistan/

Donate here: https://www.internationalmedicalcorps.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=1645

Action Aid: Appeal for Pakistan Flood Victims - http://www.actionaid.org/

Pakistan appeal

Relief International: Pakistan Flood Emergency Response - http://www.ri.org/

Donate now: https://ri.org/donation.php?id=182

World Vision International: http://www.wvi.org/wvi/wviweb.nsf

Call for Donations for Pakistan Flood Victims - Details

Save The Children: Response to Pakistan Flood Disaster - http://www.savethechildren.org/

http://www.savethechildren.org/emergencies/asia/pakistan-floods-2010/index.html

Donate here: https://secure.savethechildren.org/01/web_e_pakistan_flood_10

TCF - The Citizens Foundation - http://www.ftcf.org.uk/

Click here to see the full call

FTCF Ramadan 2010 Flood Appeal:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/FTCFRamadan2010

FTCF Ramadan 2010 School Flood Repair:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/tcfschoolsfloodrepair

International Rescue Committee: responde to Pakistan Flood - http://www.theirc.org/

Read More and Donate

Christian Aid: Call for Donations for Pakistan Flood - http://www.christianaid.org.uk/

http://www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/current/pakistan-floods-appeal/index.aspx

Mercy Corps: https://donate.mercycorps.org

Donate

Global Giving: Pakistan Flood Disaster Relief: http://www.globalgiving.org/

Donate here: http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/pakistan-flood/

Doctor Without Borders: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

Read More

Australia

UNICEF: UNICEF's Pakistan Flood Children's Appeal: http://www.unicef.com.au

Read More

Donate here

Action aid Australia: call for Donation for Pakistan Flood - http://www.actionaid.org.au/

Canada

Islamic Relief Canada - www.islamicreliefcanada.org

https://www.islamicreliefcanada.org/donate/tabid/61/default.aspx

UNICEF: UNICEF's Pakistan Flood Appeal: http://www.unicef.ca/portal/SmartDefault.aspx

Donate now: https://secure.unicef.ca/portal/SmartDefault.aspx?at=1380

France

APPEC - Association of Pakistanis for Promotion of Education & Cooperation

http://www.durabledevelopment.com/appec/

Email: treasurers.appec@gmail.com

Fund raising call - Click here

Donate here: http://www.durabledevelopment.com/appec/donations/

Germany

Red Cross Germany - Pakistan Flood Emergency - Click here

https://www.drk.de/spenden/online-spenden.html

Aktion Deutschland Hilft - [SMS/Call] Option as well

Flut & Überschwemmung in Pakistan Jetzt spenden:

Aktion Deutschland Hilft Spendenkonto: 10 20 30 BLZ 370 205 00, Sozialbank Köln Stichwort:

Flut Pakistan Mit einer SMS helfen:Stichwort Pakistan an die 8 11 90 senden (5 € zzgl. üblicher SMS-Gebühr, 4,83 € gehen direkt an Aktion Deutschland Hilft)

Islamic Relief Germany- http://www.islamicrelief.de/

There is no official call yet but we will update once it is there.

The Netherlands

Red Cross Holland- http://www.rodekruis.nl/

For Further detials - Click here

For donations - Click here

Islamic Relief NL- http://www.islamic-relief.nl/

There is no official call yet but we will update once it is there.

Pakistan

Edhi Foundation: http://www.edhifoundation.com/contact.asp

More Details about Edhi (national/international)

Pakistan Tahreek e Insaf: Flood Relief Fund - Donate via Bank/Credit Card or Paypal

http://www.insaf.pk/Welfare/PakistanFloodVictims/tabid/237/Default.aspx

Al-Khidmat Foundation: http://al-khidmatfoundation.org/donate-here.php

Aaj TV - Sayed talat Hussain/Kashif Abbasi : http://www.aaj.tv/donations/

Account Details for Flood Relief

Title of Account: Syed Talat Hussain/ Kashif Abbasi

Account No: 0516616341000689

Bank: Muslim Commercial Bank Branch: Stock Exchange Branch, Blue Area, Islamabad Branch Code: 1390

Swift Code: MUCBPKKAA

For further details: Tel: +92-51-111010010 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +92-51-111010010 end_of_the_skype_highlighting , SMS: +92-347-5023842 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +92-347-5023842 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, +92-301–5473521 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +92-301–5473521 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

RONAQ-E-QAINAAT

Young doctors are in the process of arranging a series of free medical camps in the flood affected areas. First Camp is at Nowshera.

Please Contact Ms. Alina Akhyar at alinaakhyar@yahoo.com, who will email you the Trust’s past activities, bank account details and other queries. They have already done some pretty impressive work.

Account number: 00400101065364 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 00400101065364 end_of_the_skype_highlighting account title: Khadija Nadeem, Askari Bank Chaklala Scheme 3 branch Rawalpindi,

UM Healthcare Trust: http://umtrust.org/

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=tCHQimRrpooH9RRWrwqlUdQ&hl=en#gid=2

Sarhard Rural Support Programme (SRSP): Aid for the Flood Victims

http://www.rspn.org/news/Flood_appeal.html, http://srsp.org.pk/zeenix/17-H,

Gulberg II Lahore Pakistan Postal code: 54660

CONTACT: Umar Agha 0321 842-2425, email: ua2121@columbia.edu

Pakistan Red Crescent Society: http://www.prcs.org.pk/help.asp

Khubaib Foundation: call for Donations for Pakistan - http://khubaib.org/

They also went to Ghaza (with freedom Flotilla) for relief work from pakistan

Diya Pakistan - joined the relief efforts - http://www.diyapak.org/floodvictims-relief.php

Mission Rescue Pakistan: http://www.missionrescuepakistan.com/

Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation: http://www.oakdf.org.pk/

Here is the information required to make a donation: Title of Account: Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation Account #: 0030445261000455 Name of Bank: MCB Bank (1028), Super Market, Islamabad-Pakistan Swift Code: MUCBPKKAMCC Tax Exemption: 6043/ATD/2008-09

Sungi Developmental Foundation:

http://sungi.org/emergency_donations_contact_information.html

(Aamer Abdullah) Allied Bank limited, university town branch, Peshawar

The following are account details.

Account number: 1353-8, Account title: Akhuwat e Sarhad

Bank: Allied Bank limited, university town branch, Peshawar, Branch code: 0321.

The above details are for those inside Pakistan. For those donating from outside, we advise to pool the donations with one single person and then transfer in bulk. This will reduce transfer charges.

Switzerland

Islamic Relief Switzerland- http://www.islamic-relief.ch/irv19/

There is no official call yet but we will update once it is there.

United Arab Emirites (UAE)

"Pakistan Association Dubai" - Contact on following local telephone numbers:

Anas: 04-3373632, 3377678; Inayat Rahman: 050-6317131; Ayub Afridi: 050-4545106; Khayal Zaman Aurakzai: 050-6287655; Ghazi Marjan Aurakzai: 050-6469910; Asam-u-Din Aurakzai: 050-7144992.

http://www.rahber.org/floodrelief/uaefloodrelief.html

UK

UNICEF: UNICEF's Pakistan Flood Children's Appeal:http://www.unicef.org.uk

Donate here: http://www.unicef.org.uk/give/index.asp?page=80

Disaster Emergency Committee: Pakistan Floods Appeal - http://www.dec.org.uk/

Donate here: https://www.donate.bt.com/dec_form_pfa.html

The DEC's automated donation line is 0370 60 60 900

British Red Cross: Appeal for Pakistan - http://www.redcross.org.uk/index.asp?id=39992

http://www.redcross.org.uk/news.asp?id=104625

TCF - The Citizens Foundation - http://www.ftcf.org.uk/

Click here to see the full call

FTCF Ramadan 2010 Flood Appeal:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/FTCFRamadan2010

FTCF Ramadan 2010 School Flood Repair:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/tcfschoolsfloodrepair

Muslim Hands: http://www.muslimhands.org/en/gb/

http://www.muslimhands.org/en/gb/appeals/pakistan_flood_crisis/

Islamic Relief UK- Pakistan Flood Emergency: http://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/

http://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/DonateStep1.aspx

Action Aid UK: Appeal for Pakistan - http://www.actionaid.org.uk/

Save Lives and Donate here

Muslime Aid: http://www.muslimaid.org/

http://www.muslimaid.org/index.php/what-we-do/477

Christian Aid UK: Call for Donations for Pakistan Flood - http://www.christianaid.org.uk/

http://www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/current/pakistan-floods-appeal/index.aspx

USA

Islamic Relief USA - www.islamicreliefusa.org

http://www.islamicreliefusa.org/Page.aspx?pid=463

https://www.islamicreliefusa.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=203

UNICEF: UNICEF's Pakistan Flood Children's Appeal: http://www.unicefusa.org/

Donate here

UM Healthcare Trust: http://umtrust.org/

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=tCHQimRrpooH9RRWrwqlUdQ&hl=en#gid=2

SA Relief: Flood Relief Campaign for Southern Pakistan - http://www.sarelief.com/

Action Aid USA: http://www.actionaidusa.org/

http://actionaidusa.org/what/emergencies/pakistan_floods/

OXFAM America: http://www.oxfamamerica.org/

http://www.oxfamamerica.org/emergencies/2010-pakistan-flood

http://www.oxfamamerica.org/emergencies/2010-pakistan-flood/what-oxfam-is-doing

Shelter Box USA: http://www.shelterboxusa.org/

No official call yet

Organizations

• Islamic Relief
• Helping Hands
• .
• .
• .

What is NEXT...

Relief agencies have now warned that there is a risk of disease in the flood-affected areas. "There is now a real danger of the spread of waterborne diseases like diarrhea, asthma, skin allergies and perhaps cholera in these areas," said Shaharyar Bangash, the head of operations in Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa for the aid charity World Vision.

Call for further updates:

Netherlands (0031 620 517 696), Germany ( ), France ( )

August 16 Pakistan Flood Update

Inshah'Allah for the next little while this blog will be dedicated to flood relief awareness in Pakistan. I am trying my best to stay updated on this tragedy regularly. Today I was watching a TV show from Pakistan where the anchors Kashif and Talat were talking about the different problems resulting from the flood as they have both visited the affected areas. Here were some of the problems they mentioned:

• People moving to camps are still facing problems. Most tents are not water proof and this is a big problem when it rains. Also water snakes are very common in some area which are a danger to children and adults.
• There is not enough space to set up camps in some areas. Visuals of camps being forced to set up in graveyards were shown.
• Families with disabled males or deceased males are suffering. A lot of males (being stronger, etc.) get first dibs on the aid being distributed leaving the helpless women/children without male support suffering even more.
• We imagine floods being standing water and not really doing any structural damage. However, in a lot of cases floods in Pakistan was the flow of water at high speeds which swept people's homes, livestock (i.e. their means of living, food, etc.), etc. and some times swept away entire villages.

The crisis is grave. Every penny we donate is crucial, so please donate to any charity which you feel is doing good work. I have listed some below:

Red Cross Canada

Islamic Relief Canada

Save The Children/Oxfam/Care

More on Pakistan Flood Relief

The situation is desperate in Pakistan. About 15 million people have been affected (half the population of Canada!). As is the case with these crisis, the poor are at the worst end of it. There is a lack of basic food, shelter and clothing for millions of survivors and evacuees. The politicians in Pakistan are generally inefficient and corrupt and are not doing a great job of helping the people in need. The role of the international relief organizations in Pakistan is critical and any help they get will potentially save many lives. Maurizio Giuliano, spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told The Associated Press has said“ It looks like the number of people affected in this crisis is higher than the Haiti earthquake, the tsunami or the Pakistan earthquake, and if the toll is as high as the one given by the government, it’s higher than the three of them combined”

Here are some moving pictures which show the impact the disaster is having:


Please donate anything you can (even $1!) and encourage friends/families to donate as well!

Red Cross


OxFam/Save the Children


Islamic Relief Canada



regards,

Hammad

P.S> this attached video shows the desperateness of the situation in Pakistan

Pakistan Flood Update

As-salmua alaykum,

As you all probably know, several areas in Pakistan are suffering from severe flooding. Entire villages have been washed away and people are struggling to find food, shelter and clothing. Today there are confirmed reports about the outbreak of cholera in some areas. (A lot of the people suffering struggle to make their ends meet in normal times, so one cant imagine how hard it is for them right now).

A gentle reminder to all of us to donate what we can. Even $1 will help someone! Islamic Relief is active in Pakistan and has posted appeals on its website:

Islamic Relief (Canada Site)

http://www.islamicreliefcanada.org/pakistan-flood.aspx

Islamic Relief (International website)

http://www.islamic-relief.com/Emergencies-And-Appeals/1-67-pakistan-flood-emergency-appeal.aspx

W'salams

Hammad

P.S.

This Video shows some scenes of the devastation caused there:

Simple Wedddings: Hello and Goodbye

I really agree with what this pastor is saying on BBC. Growing up in Pakistan, weddings were simpler and humbler (in most ways , other than food). People came, conragulated, ate and left. It was simple. It was more natural. No speeches, no presentations, etc.

But it isn't just about the money. For the problem with the modern wedding is that it's too often a glitzy stage-set overly concerned with the shoes, the flowers, the napkin rings and performing to the cameras. I'm delighted for Chelsea Clinton and her new husband Mark. But judging by some press reports, the most important thing about the wedding was her two Vera Wang dresses. And yes, I blame the media here, not the happy couple. For the pervasive influence of the media on the look and feel of weddings - not least those weddings that are featured in celebrity magazines - has encouraged an atmosphere of narcissism and self-promotion to work its way into the very fabric of the modern wedding celebration. Little wonder that, at their worst, some weddings can feel like an overblown vanity project, all justified by foot-stomping references to "my special day".

: "This is Us" -Pakistan Plane Crash Reflections(Translation of an urdu article)

Just like the earthquake in 2005, the recent air crash in Islamabad hit home as it happened in the same hills which I had grown up looking at. I could also relate to the crash as I land at the same airport every time I go to Islamabad. I was fortunate to read a piece by a leading columnist from Pakistan named Javed Chaudhry ( of Express News) who shared some pointed reminders and reflections about the crash. The original article was in urdu but I have made a (half-decent) attempt at translating this article as I thought it may be of some benefit to non-urdu readers.

______________________________

Adnan's seat was confirmed but he was getting late because of traffic and he knew that the check-in counter was about to close. His bag was in his hand as heran briskly, breathing heavily He reached the check-in counter) where he put put his (plane) ticket in front of the smiling customer service represtative lady at the Air Blue counter. The lady looked at the clock and saw that there were still three minutes till the check-in time expired. She took a deep breath and printed Adnan his death's boarding card.

Adnan picked up the boarding card and the tag for his bag and thanked the customer service lady before heading towards the (waiting) lounge.

Another passenger (from the waiting list) missed his chance to get on to flight A321 from Karachi to Islamabad because of Adnan Qayum's last-minute checkin. The flight was not only booked full but there were thirteen passengers on the waiting list. These thirteen people really wanted to reach Islamabad and had surrounded Air Blue's Ground Staff and wanted to get on the flight at every cost. Amongst these passengers there was Jamshed Dasti an MNA from Muzafar-Garh, former MNA Mir Mehran Khan Bukhari and his son Mir Sulayman Khan Bukhari.

Amongst the passengers there was was FIA Immigration Karachi's shift in harge Inspector Rehmat Allah Domki. Mr. Domki was coming to Islamabad with his family but there was something that came up at the last minute. He stayed in Karachi and sent his family on to the flight. Out of all these people (mentioned), Adnan's story was especially sad.

Adnan Qayum got first position in his MBA in University. Thereafter, he (recently) applied to National Bank (from Islamabad) and got a job in Karachi. He went to Karachi to obtain his (employment) letter and was returning to Islamabad on July 28. On his way to Karachi airport from Karachi City, there was a lot of traffic which caused him to be late and he feared that he would miss his flight. Adnan looked at his watch repeatedly and told his drver to drive faster. As soon as he got to the airport he ran to check-in counter before it closed and got there three minutes before it closed and got his boarding pass. If at that moment Adnan had known that this journey (flight) was going to be the last one of his life and that he would not reach his loved ones in Islamabad, then would he have acted differently? The reality of our lives is hidden in this question. We are all people like Adnan Qayum. Adnan Qayum's last day was July 28 but Jamshed Dasti, Mr. Bukhari, Inspector Domky (all on the waiting list) and our last moment (in this world) is still to be determined. Lets think for one moment if any one of the 152 passengers had known that the ill-fated plane would not land in Islamabad airport but would instead crash, break and burn on the Margala hills, they would not have boarded that flight and perhaps never flown in their lives again. Alas, death is a scarey reality which man does not percieve till it is staring him in the eye-till man's soul is taken out of body like a silk thread. Its the biggest reality in our lives but we don't realize we will die till our frail bodies are placed in coffins and buried by our loved ones. Nature has put the desire of living in our cells to such an extent that we dont get rid of the desire to live even after we die. This desire still eminate from our hearts and other organs (stomach, liver, kidneys, etc.) which have a few hours of life in them (when we die) and plead with hope to people passing by that the people passing by will help revive our dead bodies. The desire to live stays in our dead body's DNA for millions of years. What is this? This is the un-tiring desire of life that keeps our desire to live vibrant till we are 60-70 years old and in fact stays with us even after we die. Therefore we are inter-twined with this desire to live and think we are are in dispnesable in this world. We think that death will overtake all living things except us. We will escape the trap of death. This wishful thinking makes us into tyrants, unjust, treacherours, fraudsters, promise breakers and power lovers. We wake up as Firaun and spead our legs like Nimrud while sleeping. We are thinking that all other flights in this world can get destroyed but our flights can never make a bad landing. Everyone else can have heart attacks but we cant have one. Everyone else can have a brain hemorage but we cant have one. Everyone else can have kidney failure but our kidneys cant fail. Everyone else can go blind but we cant go blind. Everyone else can have thier legs broken but us.. Everyone else can have deadly diseases like cancer, aids and TB but we will be saved. Our delusions are the real distraction in this world. These delusion stop us from knowing our bearings and doing the right things.

Close your eyes for one moment and imagine you are Awais Khan and Romia Khan, Asim Shahad and Aisha and you just got married a few days ago. Your resting on each other's shoulders and holding hands and landing (in your flight) in Islamabad. Your honeymoon will be in this city. You are Austria's professor who had come to lecture Pakistani students from Vienna or you are a big powerful bussiness man who many are scared of. But your time (in this world) finished when your plane crashed into Islamabad's Margalla Hills. Your honeymoon-bound hands are separated, your relationshp with life ended, all your appointments, your importance, your property, your posessions, your business, your factory, your bank balance all left your comapny in 10 seconds. Your mobile phone got lost in a jungle, credit cards, identifty cards insurance cards, passport and all related doucments all got destroyed in a few seconds . All your wishes, all your plans, all your hates, all your sadnesses, all your fears, all your schemes and all your victores- all disappated with your drops of blood that got attached to the trees, shrubs, leaves and grass (on the Margalla Hills). Your meat, bones got mixed with all the rubble. Your legs are with somene elses legs . Its also possible that your body parts are strewn and getting wet in the jungle and getting eaten by wild animals. The same body parts you kept which you so carefully kept away form bad odors and dirt. Its the same body which you fed with injustice, opeersion and hate. But where are you now? Where is your hate and where are your victories? They are nowehere. Your surrounded by the baggage of the deceased passengers , their blood and their bodies. On this rainy dark wet night, our helpless dead bodies await the footsteps of the rescuers,

This is us. This is our reality. But despite this we dont forgive people, We dont thank Allah for our bessings in this lfe. How foolish and naive are we?

Seekers Guidance: The Laws of Love: The Keys to a Spiritually Transformative Ramadan, in Toronto

The Laws of Love: The Keys to a Spiritually Transformative Ramadan, in Toronto

Date: Saturday 24th July 2010

Time: 11 - 7

Venue: Room 108, Koffler House (The Multi Faith Centre), 569 Spadina Ave

Speakers:

• Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
• Shaykh Yusuf Badat
• Mufti Umer Esmail
  
• Shaykh Zahir Bacchus
• Ustadha Shireen Ahmed
  

Register now!
The Holy Month of Ramadan. A time of spiritual transformation, of revival, of struggling to reach ranks that surpass those of the Angels. Lofty goals -- and ones which Believers can achieve with knowledge, effort and determination. So how do you actually attain such blessings? How can you to move toward perfecting yourself during this Blessed Month?

This full day SeekersSeminar in Toronto offers practical guidance to help you make this Ramadan a time of true transformation. Knowledgeable, accessible teachers will guide you through a deeper examination of the spiritual purpose and fiqh of fasting and worship, and will introduce you to the laws of love and how they can help you achieve a more meaningful relationship with Allah.

Make this Ramadan your best yet. Join us in Toronto on July 24th!

Featured topics include:

• The spiritual purpose of Ramadan and the fiqh of fasting (Shaykh Faraz Rabbani)
• An examination of what Allah says about Ramadan in the Qur'an (Shaykh Zahir Bacchus)
• The virtues of fasting (Shaykh Yusuf Badat)
• How to attain a socially meaningful Ramadan (Ustadha Shireen Ahmed)
• Connecting with the Qur'an during Ramadan (Mutfi Umer Esmail)

The way of the companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) was to prepare themselves for this blessed month, during the month of Shaban.

How prepared are you? Register now!

Help Spread The Word!
Spread the word via your Facebook page and Twitter, by posting:
"SeekersGuidance is holding a seminar on the topic of Ramadan, here in Toronto, on July 24th. With Sh. Faraz, Sh. Yusuf Badat, Sh. Zahir Bacchus and more great speakers. It sounds very interesting, register now"

Visit our Facebook event's page and don't forget to invite others to attend!

Interested in Volunteering?
If you are interested in volunteering to help with this seminar, contact us today at seminars@seekersguidance.org

Qurba: Detour Ahead: Staying on the Prophetic Path

In 300 metres, take a right to the Straight Path...

Wouldn't it be nice if you had a GPS that took you to the Prophetic Path and kept you on it?

Well, you don't. And you might be taking detours without even knowing it.

Finding a spouse...
Dealing with student loans...
Excelling in your career...

These could be potential detours from the path if you don't know how to handle them.

Register for Detour Ahead: Staying on the Prophetic Path to learn how to spot detours from a mile away and stay firm on the Prophetic Path.

Healing hearts: Excerpt by Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad about an anecdote by Sayyidina Jalaluddin Rumi‏

From the Healing Hearts Blog:

(The below anecdote is taken from the lecture entitled ‘Reliance on Allah’ which is currently available for purchase on the Apple iTunes Store and on www.meccacentric.com. I was hoping to upload the short excerpt where Shaykh AHM narrates the story, but for some reason it doesn’t allow me to upload it here, therefore I’ve transcribed (to the best of my ability) what Shaykh AHM said. It’s more or less word to word, but I refrained from using speech marks in case I’ve missed a few words out! Jazaka’llahu khayran to the very kind soul who emailed me the lecture details!)

———

There is a story which Sayyidina Jalaluddin Rumi tells of an ant that’s creeping across the carpet in a mosque, and the ant complains to God saying: “what is this, these bumps,......READ ON

The Young Man And The Starfish

Read this in the book I Shall Not Hate.

Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his journal writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?"

The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean."

"I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"

"The sun is up, and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die."

"But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach, and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"

The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said, "It made a difference for that one."

There is something very special in each and every one of us. We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can become aware of that gift, we gain through the strength of our visions the power to shape the future. We must each find our starfish. And if we throw our stars wisely and well, the world will be blessed.

Punjabi Wisdom 12: Being Greedy

Choee Kakh Dee, Choree Lakh Dee, Ik Braber
If someone can be corrupt for a few rupees , he will also be greedy for millions

This wisdom also shows how important it is to make sure our kids are learning to be honest when young. If they don't practice honesty when they are young (even when playing simple sports games), they may find honesty hard to practice later in life as well.

Book Review: I Shall Not Hate

I just finished an amazing book " I Shall Not Hate" by Dr. Izzeldin Abulaish who lost close family members (including three daughters) during the Gaza War early last year. He talks about why he did not go towards the path of hate and decided to make a difference in other ways after the death of his daughters.

The book also gives details about life in Gaza and how it was tough growing up in a refugee camp. Further he mentions the difficulties faced in crossing over to Israel for many Gazans who need to get there for medical and employment reasons. The strength of the book amongst manyother things is Dr. Abulaish's unique ability to look at the issue as a "people issue"and not merely a political issue. He is in a unique position as he has observed life on both sides of the wall in Gaza/Israel and has friends on both sides.

He has started an organization called Daughters for Life for promoting education health access for girls and women in Gaza and the middle east. Its a must read book for sure as it gives unique perspectives on what is happening on the ground beyond the cameras and the focus of the media.

Being Thankful

"You ain't gonna miss your water until your well runs dry."Bob Marley

Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) and his companions

We were pleased to be at groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of the new Oshawa Mosque building a few days ago. Mufti Mohamed-Umer Esmail of Seekers Guidance was there as well and shared some insights. One of the things which touched us from his speech was when he said that a lot of times we think of the sahaba (companions) as being old people with grey beards around the Prophet (Peace and Blesssings be upon him) and the community in Medina being of an older demographic. He said while this may be true for some of the companions, it was definitely not true for all of them. In fact he said the community around the Prophet (Peace and Blesssings be upon him) had many young people and these young people were more in number. (Young being defined as 40 years and younger).

He said our communities need to be like this and be more inclusive of the youth so that we can be closer to the Prophetic community and have an impact (as a community) that closer to the impact that the Prophetic community had.

Book Quotes:A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future

Just finished reading an interesting book called " A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future" by Micheal J. Fox (the actor who got diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in the early 1990s). The following quote from the book probably sums up the most useful points (for me) and point to the islamic concepts of Shukr, Rida and Sabr.:

"Its all about control. Control is illusionist. No matter what university you go to, no matter what degree you hold, if your goal is to become the master of your own destiny, you have more to learn. Parkinson's is a perfect metaphor for lack of control. Every unwanted movement in my hand or arm, every twitch that I cannot anticipate or arrest, is a reminder that even in the domain of my own being, I am not calling the shots. "

and he says at another place:

"Because Parkinson's demanded of me that I be a better man, a better husband, father and citizen. I often refer to it as a gift. With a nod to those who find it hard to believe, especially my fellow patients who are facing great difficulties, its a gift that keeps on taking..but it is a gift"

Punjabi Wise Sayings 11: Two

Taree ik hath naal nai wajdee

It takes two to clap

It takes two to quarrel. If one person is calm and collective, it is likely that that the quarrel will not happen.

Also, this speaks to the fact that there are usually two sides to every story. If you just hear the story from one hand, then it will likely be biased.

Habib Ali on schedules

In the live session for the highly recommended Seekers Guidance's Marvels of the Heart course, Shaykh Yahya quoted Habib Ali as saying (about making schedules, etc) that one can make schedules for oneself, however, one should not rely on them.

Muslim American Goat Farmer!

An interesting story:

Mukit Hossain, who was a senior executive and civil rights activist in Northern Virginia, has given it all up to raise halal goats — goats raised and slaughtered by Islamic rites......

..........Some folks think I have completely lost it,” he said. “A friend said, ‘Why would you get a degree from Duke if you were going to become a farmer?’ ” Even his wife, Sabrina, an accounting student raised in Kuwait and Canada, wondered whether it was a good idea. (There was some precedent for Hossain’s decision: His grandfather, a prominent lawyer in Bangladesh, had at the height of his career given it all up to become a farmer. Everyone thought he had lost it, too.)..............

“I think that here, there’s not as much sense of keeping up with the Joneses,” Sabrina Hossain said. “I think this is the healthiest decision we’ve made.”

.READ ON

Imam Abu Hanifa and His neighbor

It is well known that Abu Hanifa (radi Allahu 'anhu), did tahajjut every night. He would spend his night reciting the Quran. He had a neighbor who was an alcoholic, and he used to drink a lot and sing love poems. This used to bother the imam.

But one day, the imam did not hear this man's revelry, so he went and asked about him. They said, "Oh, so-and-so. They took him to jail." So, the very well respected imam went to the jail. He was the most respected imam and qaadi at the time in that place. When the ruler found out the imam went to the jail, he asked for the reason and was told that the imam was concerned about his neighbor who had been arrested. So, the ruler said to release the man, and he was released.

The neighbor then asked Abu Hanifa why he did that, and he replied, "Because you have a right upon me as a neighbor, and I have not been neglectful of that." That was the reason that the neighbor made tauba to Allah subhâna wa ta'âla [that is: embraced islam]."

Shaykh Samir in Toronto

As salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu

Alhamdulillah wa shukrillah, we are pleased to announce the arrival of Sayyiduna Shaykh Samir al-Nass who will arrive in Toronto on Thursday April 8th, 2010. He will be staying in Toronto till the following Sunday, insha Allah. Let us make this short stay of his immensely beneficial for ourselves and our families, wa billahi-l-tawfiq.

The following is a brief itinerary of the programs he will be engaged in during his short stay:

Friday 9th April 2010 1:30 PM – 1st Jummu’ah Khutba @ ISNA Masjid

Friday 9th April 2010 7:30 PM – The Quran & Your Family @ The Lote Tree Foundation

Saturday 10th April 2010 10:00 AM – Class on a short text in Tajwid & a lecture on the Importance of Quranic Memorization @ The Lote Tree Foundation

Saturday 10th April 2010 1:00 PM – Discussion on Islamic Medical Ethics @ Location To Be Announced

Saturday 10th April 2010 7:30 PM – Lecture with ISNA’s Saturday Evening Family Program @ ISNA Masjid

The details for these events can be found at the following blog: http://shaykhsamirintoronto.wordpress.com/ You can also use the blog to ask questions about the events. Please try to make it out to any of the events, insha Allah! Whether you can make it, or you cannot, you can certainly help us to spread the word! Please email this invitation out to anyone and everyone you think that might be able to benefit by attending! If you use Facebook, the following links will also be of benefit to you, insha Allah:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=102772009765016&ref=mf

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=106707846034523&ref=mf

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111343498893462&ref=mf

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108394909194996&ref=mf

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=102652673109343&ref=mf

wa bi-llahi-l-tawfiq

jazak allahu khayran