There is no less number of gatherings, conferences, and functions I attended enjoyed and rejoiced for a very long time but I believe my last weekend has added some incredibly bright and amazing moments into my memory. On this weekend I had the pleasure of being a part of a couple of highly inspiring gatherings, each of which had its own charm and significance for me. On Saturday evening I was invited to the Robert Burns Humanitarian Awards 2012 ceremony at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in A

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Our Scottish Government is funding Islamic Relief’s microfinance programme in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. I am personally monitoring the programme and have met a number of programme beneficiaries during my past few visits to Rawalpindi.  I am very pleased to see that Islamic Relief has introduced a new technological mechanism to take pictures and make photocopies for borrowers applying for microfinance services. For this purpose, webcams are being used to take pictures of MF borrowers

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There is no doubt that the youth have been at the centre of the political change taking place in the Arab world. The youth are serving as the catalyst for the eruption in the streets and squares. What has been called a generation empowered by new technology used Internet, Facebook, Twitter to create awareness, bridge the communication gap, mobilise the masses and deliver a unified message to the rulers that enough is enough; It’s time for change, a democratic era where voices are heard, hu

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Last friday just before I left Glasgow for Pakistan, I collected the keys for two fire brigade engines which were kindly donated to Islamic Relief from the Strathclyde Fire and Rescue services. The two engines will be given to Rescue 1122 in Lahore and will be vital in preventing fires but most of all saving valuable lives in Lahore and the surrounding rural areas, which is a top priority for Islamic Relief. I must mention that one of the engines is going to be very effective to help reach t

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I was in Pakistan about 2 weeks ago. This was my 4th visit to the Pakistan flood zone since the devastating floods hit 1/5 of Pakistani land and affected incredibly 21 million people. One of my reasons to visit the flood affected areas and people was to witness the reconstruction work carried out by my Islamic Relief team. Islamic Relief was one of the first organisations to immediately respond and establish a relief and development operation in the flood zones. I was present on the ground in

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I met Islamic Relief's micro-finance beneficiary, Imtiaz Bibi just before Christmas in Rawalpindi, Pakistan; The greatest challenge that Imtiaz Bibi (50) has faced in her life was the death of her husband causing a halt in the family’s income generation. Taking over the business that was previously run by her husband, Imtiaz had to learn the street tricks the hard way. She had to cope with not only dealing with the employees, but also dealing with vendors and shopkeepers for selling h

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During my holidays in Pakistan last month I visited Islamic Relief’s micro-finance projects in Ratta and Naserabad, Rawalpindi. Below is an update on one of the beneficiary of Islamic Relief. After the illness and failure of Aziza’s husband’s business, she stepped in and took control of the deteriorating socio-economic conditions of her household. Aziza’s husband used to own a factory for producing groom wear and formal dresses and supplying to various shopkeepers. Du

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The Scottish government has provided funding for two Islamic Relief projects in Pakistan. It has committed this funding as part of its agenda of reducing world poverty through supporting developing countries. £75,000 has been granted to Islamic Relief for their ongoing emergency assistance program, following the devastating floods in Pakistan in July 2010.  The funds will be allocated to help meet the basic needs of families in the Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Province in Pakistan by provi

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Our Scottish Government has awarded £75,000 to Islamic Relief’s Pakistan floods response.  The grant was announced today by First Minister Rt Hon. Alex Salmond at the Edinburgh Blackhall Mosque in Edinburgh.   On behalf of Islamic Relief, I would like to thank the Scottish Government for this amazing gift to the flood-affected people of Pakistan.  Scotland has once again demonstrated its commitment t

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