Government institutions and international community have expressed concerns over participation of several religious groups in rescue and relief operations in flood-hit areas of the country. International community in general and the US in particular are worried about the involvement of religious groups in rescue and relief operations. They fear that such activities would provide opportunities to these organisations to recruit young people.
Three religious outfits are already operating in rescue and relief operations: Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation (Foundation for Welfare of Humanity) operated by Jamatu Dawah (JuD), Al-Khidmat Foundation of Jamat-e-Islami and Sipahe-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP). Sipahe Sihaba Pakistan is operating in the flood affected areas of Southern Punjab and it has no significant role in the relief operation in other parts while Falah-e- Insaniyat Foundation (FIF) and Al-Khidmat Foundation (AKF) are operating in all provinces affected by floods.
Prime Minister Gilani has stated that floods affected 20 million people and destroyed thousands of villages. Besides state run National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Pakistan Army, Edhi Foundation, Pakistan Red Crescent Society, different NGOs, religious outfits, foreign forces like US marines, UNHCR and others are taking part in the rescue and relief operations.
"We are aware of volunteers from religious outfits taking part in rescue and relief operations and simply cannot stop them from participating in humanitarian activities", said an official of Interior Ministry when asked about any action against the volunteers of religious outfits.
If a person gets rid of his gun and uses his energy to save human lives how could anyone bar him/her from doing so, he said. FIF, AKF and Sipahe Sahaba Pakistan have set up dozens of relief and medical camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, Gilgit Baltistan and AJK, where they are providing food, tents, clothes and medical aid to the people. They have utilised their already existing networks in these areas for rescue and relief operation.
"It is sad that the West considers that charity is their prerogative alone that is why they are unable to digest the service of Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF) and other religious charities", said Shafiq Ahmed, relief co-ordinator of the FIF while talking to Business Recorder outside the main relief camp set up in I-8 sector of Islamabad.
"Western governments when they see how effective we are in providing service to distressed people they try to malign us", Shafiq said, adding, "We are Pakistanis and at a time when our brothers and sisters are in need of help how can we remain indifferent." Shafiq further stated that the UN acknowledged their meritorious role in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of 2005, when our volunteers reached far-flung areas and provided people relief at their doorstep, he added.
JuD has also supported a large number of people displaced by military operation in Swat and Waziristan, he said. When asked about funds, Shafiq said that they were receiving donations unlike the government, the difference is that "we spend money transparently."
Shafiq denied that FIF is linked with JuD but admitted that JuD is assisting the FIF in its rescue and relief operation in affected areas. Yahya Mujahid, a spokesman of JuD, when contacted by this scribe confirmed that JuD is helping the FIF in its rescue and relief activities in affected areas.
Al-Khidmat Foundation (AKF), a charity run by Jamat-e-Islami, a religio-political party is also working in affected areas and has provided food, medical aid and other necessities to the affected people, said Mian Aslam former MNA and relief co-ordinator for AKF.
We had set up camps where thousands of flood victims were being provided shelter, food, clothes and other necessities, he said, adding that the government alone could not deal with this situation. "We are Muslims and our religion is based on charity and serving humanity and we are serving humanity," he maintained. Relief goods including food, water filtration plants, tents and medicines are being sent to affected areas regularly, he further added. The relief camps have been set up throughout the country, while 12,470 JI volunteers, 57 ambulances, 52 medical camps and 174 doctors were busy in relief activities in flood-hit areas, he said. He said cooked meal and transport facility was also being provided to people in devastated areas.
President of Sipahe Sahaba, Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi said, "We have activated our network to carry out relief activities without identifying ourselves. Hundreds of our supporters are now helping us to evacuate flood victims across the country", he said.
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