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 Edhi International Foundation Fund Raising Dinner  

    (Coverage by: Syed Zafar Hussain, Editor-in-Chief Sada-e-Watan Sydney)

EDHI Foundation International Australia organised a very successful Fund Raising Eid Dinner at Himalaya Function Center in Sydney.  A large number of families from Pakistani and other sub-continent backgrounds attended the event. There was also a very strong representation from Wollongong and Newcastle.Naveed Allahwala was the MC for the night; it was nice to see young Pakistani Australians actively engaging in the organisation of charity events. Naveed invited Maulana Thanvi to start the program with the recitation of the Holy Quran and to say a few words regarding charity in the context of Quran and Sunnah.  

To start the formal part of the night Khalil Allahwala, Director EFIA, welcomed the guests, telling the near 200 strong crowd that their presence on the night was proof of the local Pakistani community’s commitment to help the less fortunate in Pakistan.He also informed the guests that due to the ill health Mr. Riaz Malik, founder and Board Member of EFIA, he would not be able to join the festivities. Mr Malik sent his apologies and best wishes for the night.Introducing the Founder of EDHI Foundation, Mr. Abdul Sattar Edhi, and Mr. Allahwala also praised the hard work and commitment of the Edhi family – wife Begam Bilquis, two daughters and son who are following in the footsteps of Mr. Edhi.

When it comes to helping humanity, Mr. Edhi does not believe in religious, ethnic or geographic boundaries. Infect, Mr. Edhi’s service to humanity was recognised by the Governments of Pakistan, Philippines and the (former) USSR by awarding him the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, Ramon Magsaysay Award and “The Peace Prize” respectively. Mr. Edhi’s was also awarded a number of awards from State Governments, the military and other international welfare organisation within Pakistan.

Mr Allahwala went on to thank Mr. Fazal of Roshan Fashion for being the major sponsor for the evening, as well as Sydney Forex and Dr. Ishrat Ali as secondary sponsors. He also appreciated the support of the other sponsors and the major promoter Sada-e-Watan.Mr. Allahwala also thanked Mr. Riaz Shah and Mr. Saeed Fakhar who volunteered their services to entertain the guests.  He also acknowledged the Himalaya restaurant management team for supporting the event.

Mr. Zia Qureshi, chairman EIFA was invited to the stage to address the guests. Mr. Qureshi, praising Mr. Edhi and his family, described how an organisation which started decades ago as a ‘one-man-show’ in a single room with only Rs. 5000, is now the largest welfare organisation in Pakistan and one of the largest charity organisations in the third world.

He highlighted the services being provided by EDHI including, home for the mentally ill destitute, baby cradles for abandoned babies and welfare centre for needy people. Edhi also provides an ambulance fleet of over four hundred, making it the largest non-government fleet in the world. Field mobile units and rescue units, which comprise this network, are maintained in a state of readiness to meet any emergency in the shortest possible time anywhere in Pakistan. Helicopters and fixed wing aircraft-based emergency service are included in the fleet.

Mr.Zia Qureshi, highlighting the local activities of EFIA said that the board has recognised the need to expand the organisation by including new volunteers who will have a unified objective of raising funds for the organisation. In this respect, Mr Qureshi was delighted to announce the names of Mr. Asif Khan, Mr. Hamid Khan representing Sydney and Mr. Sultan Bhimani, representing Canberra, as the newest members of the EFIA committee. He went on to say that more people will be selected from Sydney and other major cities of Australia in the near future.

Mr. Zia Qureshi was pleased to announce that EIFA has collected enough funds and is considering the purchase of an emergency helicopter. He also announced the establishment of a “Medical Committee” to investigate opportunities of purchasing used medical equipment which may be beneficial in Pakistan. He finished off by thanking all the guest, sponsors, supporters and promoters.

The formal part of the program was followed by musical entertainment led Mr. Riaz Shah. Mr. Saeed Fakhar also performed, leaving the crowd mesmerised.A break was taken for a lavish dinner prepared by the Himalaya Restaurant, which was greatly appreciated by the guests.The night came to close with another round of musical performances by Riaz Shah and Saeed capping off an enjoyable and successful fund-raising night

To Support the noble cause of Edhi Foundation

Please donate generously in the following account.

ABDUL SATTAR EDHI INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

ANZ BANK

BSB 012-003, ACC.NO 2555-31858

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