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

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Quest for a prosperous and independent future never ends universally. Individuals as well as nations are always driven by the hunger for a better future. The best thing about future is that it never ends its limits.   It is always laid in front of you, appealing your attention, pointing to your deficiencies, motivating your strengths, and guiding you through the twists of challenging age. Our drawbacks cause our setbacks and setbacks eventually lead us to failure. But failur

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In the summer of 2010, Pakistan was hit by severe floods which, according to UN was‘the greatest humanitarian crisis in recent history’. I was able, as part of Islamic Relief, to visit the flood stricken areas in Khyber Pukhtoon khawa, Punjab and Sindh to help the people and see the damage. 21 million people were affected by the floods that swept through the country, leaving millions without homes and families. I have been regularly visiting Pakistan to see how the country had progr

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Our Scotland branch of Islamic Relief will be marking the anniversary of the devastating Pakistan floods with an event in the Glasgow city council on July 25, where I will be thanking the Scottish public for their generous response to the devastating floods disaster. I have just returned from Pakistan where I saw amazing examples of how the Scottish public’s support has been used. A young girl named Khatija who was born into the horror of homelessness in the middle of the floods now has 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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Having spent 2 weeks in Pakistan I am on the PIA flight PK 785 today heading back to UK. I had 2 main reasons to visit Pakistan this time; to show BBC (look East) Islamic Relief’s floods related rehabilitation and reconstruction work funded by Luton community in Khyber Pakhtoonkhawa and secondly to participate in Islamic Relief Pakistan’s next 5 years strategy workshops. I can happily confirm that BBC team along with 2 other prominanent Luton community members were much pleased t

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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 am a proud Scot and love taking my Saltire with me whenever I travel abroad. Today I am travelling to Pakistan and have also packed my “Heritage of Scotland” kilt and Prince Charlie Jacket. This is going to be my fourth visit to the country of my childhood within 6 months and also my fourth visit to Pakistan flood areas. This is not unusual. What began as, I suppose, a nine-to-five job has become a way of life – to the point of taking precedence over my leisure time: I was

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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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The year 2010 was a ‘mixed bag’ for me. There were some positive aspects and events but mostly the year was one of sorrow and pain. Infect 2010 was the most catastrophic year for humanity in the last four decades. Man-made and natural disasters took their tool. Horror of Earthquakes, volcanoes, heat waves, Pakistan floods, landslides and droughts killed at least quarter million people around the world in 2010. Earthquakes not just hit in Haiti but China, Chile, Turkey and New Zeal

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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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The past weekend has been a very busy one for me. I had to present my eye-witness account of Pakistan floods and fund raise in Edinburgh and Lanark during 2 fundraising dinners. Over £115,000 were raised from the 2 events. On Saturday evening the fundraiser dinner for the Pakistan flood victims was in Edinburgh (Royal Highland Centre). The event was organised and hosted by the community of Edinburgh. It was truly inspiring to see that local Edinburgh organisations came together and were

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