Looking back at 2011, I can think of so many challenges, countless national and international issues, big disasters, mighty political changes especially in the Arab end of the world, shameful failures, marvellous successes, needful lessons and incredible ties. On one hand, the year brought millions of happiness and jubilations for some people but on the other, millions of people could not make to some basics of their lives. By in large a great number of world population ended this year below the poverty line just like they started the year.

No matter how bigger and advanced technologies we invented in 2011, still our world was primarily hallmarked by the increase of poverty, disease, illiteracy, injustice and so on.

Just like previous years, 2011 was full of troubles and tests for humanity in general but mainly the population of third world countries have mainly been affected by poverty, hunger, draughts, and floods. I personally witnessed droughts in East Africa and floods in South of Pakistan, both disasters as bigger and deadly in scope as is the political uncertainty in the regions. 

I have been closely monitoring our Islamic Relief team on the ground in various countries, providing life-saving vital food supplies and delivering long-term solutions for the poor and the needy. Every staff member has been a key player in the achievements of Islamic Relief but once again, more than everybody else our ‘super heroes’-volunteer’s teamdeserve the bigger clap and a special thank you. They joined hands with our staff in the urgent hour of need and helped selflessly making our mission a reality on the ground.

So much can be marked on the success list of Islamic Relief during 2011. From empowering deserving people by our micro-finance scheme in numerous countries to providing basic necessities of life in East Africa, from rehabilitation of Badin-Sindh (Pakistan) flood affected people to rebuilding homes, Shelters, and Schools in other regions of Asia.

Along with it, Islamic Relief Scotland team has been in regular contact with the general public, local bodies and the Scottish Government in order to raise awareness, communicate our message and generate funds about the dire condition of the poor and needy all around the globe. In every single campaign and project our Volunteers have been involved with their highest capacity and commitment. Every time their comprehensive support, backup and advocacy of the case of the poor and the needy resulted in high amount of raised funds, engaged actively with our supporters and received countless prayers from people helped by Islamic Relief. It all was made possible by our army of amazing and very dedicated and committed volunteers. 

During 2011 Islamic Relief Scotland’s volunteers launched several campaigns under IR banner including challenge events; iRUN in Glasgow and Edinburgh, fundraising Cricket tournament in Aberdeen for Pakistan, Humanitarian Football Cup, Ramadan launch in the Glasgow City Council, Charity Week, £1 Sale events in our Glasgow charity Shop raising thousands of pounds for the orphans in East Africa and so on. What is so inspiring for me is each of these events was planned, organized, delivered and supervised solely by Islamic Relief volunteers and in every event our volunteers achieved the goals with ease and eventually helped Islamic Relief in its sublime mission of helping humanity.

Another notable achievement of Islamic Relief Scotland branch during 2011 was that we received a huge amount of recognition and appraisal from The Scottish Government as well as by the local authorities in our humanitarian efforts. The Scottish Government supported Islamic Relief by donating £400,000 for Micro Finance Scheme in Pakistan and over half a million pounds for Islamic Relief’s projects in Iraq. Glasgow City Council facilitated our Ramadan Launch in August, Strathclyde fire and Rescue Services donated two fire engines for Rescue 1122 Lahore (Pakistan) through Islamic Relief. These contributions from the Scottish government and the local authorities have been a great applaud and support for Islamic Relief’s continuous efforts to combat with issues of poverty, health, education and rehabilitation worldwide.

In 2012 IR aims to expand its supporting network even more to make difference to the lives of more deserving people at a larger scale. We hope to receive more cooperation and commitment from our volunteers as well as we expect new volunteers to join our team because we believe ‘only together we can make the REAL difference.’          

My first day of year 2012 is in Pakistan. I hope that 2012 will be the year of no pains, no sufferings, no calamities and no disasters, not only for Pakistan but also for the rest of the world.