Islamic Relief hosted an "Iftar with Orphans" to celebrate the achievements of the 2,400 orphans it sponsors in Azad Kashmir and Pakistan. Representatives from civil society, the diplomatic community, heads of INGOs and government officials attended the Iftar dinner for orphans sponsored by Islamic Relief here on Wednesday.
Over the past 20 years, Islamic Relief working in AJK, Balochistan, Punjab, Sindh and KPK has helped over two million people by responding to all major disasters and initiating development programmes addressing the basic needs of the people. It works through multi-sector interventions providing sustainable development to help people escape from poverty through providing basic facilities as well as enterprise development thorough its Islamic microfinance programmes. Islamic Relief is implementing its £20 million integrated village development programmes in flood-affected areas of Pakistan.
During the function, orphans sponsored by Islamic Relief presented poems and shared their sponsorship experiences with the audience. A sponsored girl who is studying "A" levels hosted the event as a presenter. In the opening remarks, Islamic Relief's Child Welfare Programme Coordinator Afshan Jamal said that every child dreams of going to school and making a better life for him or herself. Just like adults, children need support; they need a supportive environment in which they can fulfil their dreams. This is especially so for orphans, the poor and marginalised. By supporting children who have lost their father or both parents through its Child Welfare Programme (CWP).
Head of Development Programmes Adnan Bin Junid highlighted that Islamic Relief is contributing to the building up the next generation of teachers, entrepreneurs and leaders. The inclusion of poor orphans and marginalised children is not only a matter of social justice and the realisation of universal human rights; it is an essential investment in the future of society. "Currently, Islamic Relief is sponsoring 27,000 orphan world-wide and 2,400 in Azad Kashmir and Pakistan and has been operating this programme for the last 18 years." he said.
A documentary presenting success stories of children who completed their graduation with Islamic Relief's support 90 percent of the orphans sponsored by Islamic Relief complete their education. On behalf of the Ambassador of the European Union Ambassador, the EU's chargé d'affaires Pierre Mayaoudor appreciated Islamic Relief's efforts in its services to humanity. He said that European Union would continue its support for Pakistan especially in flood-hit areas. He was glad that a European Muslim INGO was making such a significant contribution to relief and development in Pakistan.
While speaking on the occasion, Islamic Relief Country Director Fadlullah Wilmot said that there are 140 million orphans in the world who should be given the same rights as other children. There are many orphans in Pakistan as the result of natural disasters, conflict and deaths of parents due to the impact of poverty. He mentioned that Muslims in Europe are contributing not only to their own societies but were playing their role to support the world effort to alleviate poverty and assist those facing disasters.
"Islam, like all religions, believes strongly in a duty to be charitable, to help others, that wealth is held by human beings in trust. What this means is that the rich and affluent have a duty to help the less fortunate and this duty unites us Christians and Muslims for it is Luke 12:48 who teaches us that "Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required". Faith and charity have always shared a close relationship.
Islamic Relief believes that education is one of the prime tools to break the vicious circle of poverty. In selecting children to be supported, Islamic Relief prioritises poor orphan children who have or are at the risk of dropping out of school because of poverty. He added that it was important for Pakistan to invest more in education or the high levels of illiteracy would not be overcome. Indonesia, for example, has included in its Constitution that 20 per cent of the national budget must be spent on Education.
"Our goals are to ensure that orphans we support are as well fed and clothed as their contemporaries, and that they are able to take advantage of the same educational and healthcare opportunities as other children in more fortunate circumstances," he added.-PR
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