Sada-e-Watan Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
In Auburn Sydney, A Media Conference with International Pakistan Cricket
all-rounder Shahid Afridi
{Exclusive Coverage by
S.Talal Hussain, Deputy Editor, Sada-e-Watan Sydney}
A Press Conference for the Shahid Afridi Pakistan Flood Appeal Dinner was held on the afternoon of Friday 13th January, 2012 at the Auburn Headquarters of Islamic Relief Australia. Islamic Relief Worldwide is the world’s largest Islamic Charity and was launched in Australia during 2011. Many Local media and members of Islamic Relief Australia including the trustee, Dr. Hossam Ibrahim were in attendance.
The conference was hosted by Zahid Minhas of Dosti Art. Questions were directed at Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq and Mr. Mohammed Mayat, National Fundraising Director for Islamic Relief Australia. After the participants were introduced, as the conference began, Afridi discussed his efforts with Islamic Relief Appeal including his past and upcoming tours of Europe and America for the charity. Donation dinners have been held in various parts of the globe by Islamic Relief Worldwide with Shahid Afridi appearing as the chief guest.
The conference was continued with a question/answer session in which feature journalist S. Talal Hussain of Sada-e-Watan Sydney asked Shahid Afridi about what he aimed to achieve as an ambassador for Islamic Relief Appeal. He replied that he initially took up the role after the floods in Pakistan 2 years ago that impacted heavily on thousands of people. He continued by stating that he has no specific goal or aim, his desire is just to help the disadvantaged citizens of Pakistan as well as other Muslims all over the world that may be suffering from hardship. His response was backed up by a very learned statement by Mr. Mohammed Mayat, who outlined the purpose of the Australian branch of Islamic Relief Appeal.
Another question was asked by young
aspiring Australian-Pakistani cricketer Faraan Mirza about when the current ban
on International cricket in Pakistan could potentially be lifted. Afridi and
Razzaq both enthusiastically responded by
stating PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf is doing his best to bring International
cricket back to Pakistan and there is a chance of this happening in a “few years
time.” Both players also said they would welcome the opportunity to return for
another season in the Australian Domestic T20 Big Bash League. Afridi then left a
positive message for the local community of Sydney to conclude the conference. He encouraged people to donate for
the sake of Pakistan so that the country is able to continue its development and
perhaps one day be recognised as an elite nation.
