9:30am Thursday 9th September 2010
The imam of Scotland’s largest mosque is urging Muslims across Scotland not to have “extravagant” celebrations for one of the biggest events of the Islamic calendar, in order to send more cash and aid to flood-stricken Pakistan.
The day of Eid – which marks the end of the month of Ramadan, during which observant Muslims fast – will fall this Friday. Traditionally, it bears similarities to Christmas, with families preparing lavish feasts and children being showered with gifts.
However, Habib-ur-Rahman, the imam of Glasgow Central Mosque, is appealing for the Eid festivities to be scaled down, given the devastation caused by the floods.
“The core message of Ramadan is to show compassion to those less fortunate than ourselves,” he said. “How can we enjoy an extravagant party when images on our TV screens are showing us the human tragedy unfolding in front of our eyes? I have told my own children that they will have to give a part of their budget for gifts to flood victims, so children in Pakistan can have something to eat on Eid.
"It will make virtually no difference to us in the UK if we spend a little less on our own families and more on those affected by the floods.
“That extra money that we are able to save and send will make the difference between life and death.”
Another sign that Scottish Muslims have little desire for self-indulgence while Pakistan is suffering came with the cancellation of a well-established day-long festival celebrating Eid.
Eid on the Drive has taken place in Glasgow since 2007, but organisers say there is “no appetite” for a street party this year, given events in Pakistan.
Hanif Raja, who is co-ordinating the relief effort at Glasgow Central Mosque, said that although the response from the community was “overwhelming”, the mosque “desperately needs volunteers” to help parcel aid packages for Pakistan. He also called on airlines to offer free transportation.
Asian Scottish TV presenter Naeem Raza has been one of the key faces of the Islam Channel’s money-raising appeals for Pakistan, which have so far raised more than £1 million for those affected by the heavy monsoon rains.
The 43-year-old said: “In the month of Ramadan, Muslims must give 2.5% of their wealth to charity. Normally this is spread across local and international projects. However on this occasion we are seeing people giving their entire share to Pakistan.”
It has become apparent at many fundraising events within the Pakistani community in Scotland that donors are shunning the official Pakistani government’s fund for flood victims, in favour of giving to UK-based charities.
When Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, attended a recent function in Glasgow, guests said the mood changed when he urged people to give money through the official Pakistani government funds.
“I don’t know anyone who is giving money to initiatives linked to [Pakistan’s president, Asif Ali] Zardari and his cronies,” said one guest, Saleem Ibrahim, 25. “You could see the anger and disgust on people’s faces when he was speaking. I’m surprised no one threw a shoe at him or, worse, went for him.” Ibrahim added that media images of Zardari remaining in Europe while floods devastated the country “showed the disdain he has for his own people”.
Many Muslims are concerned about giving to official Pakistani appeals, rather than organisations linked to the Disasters Emergency Committee such as Scottish Islamic Relief.
Mother-of-three Salma Ahmed, who was born in Pakistan but has lived in Scotland for 30 years, said: “The public has legitimate concerns about where their money will end up. It could be siphoned off by crooked officials or find its way to members of organisations which have a sinister agenda.
“Despite such concerns they have given so much. They have seen those who are suffering, not as Muslims or Pakistanis but first and foremost as human beings".
But Pakistan’s Consul General in Scotland, Shehryar Akbar Khan, said the public has nothing to fear by giving aid through the government. “People have the choice to give how much they want to whoever they want. I can assure you that any money given through the Pakistani High Commission will be 100% transparent,” he added.
“Our national airline has transported goods free of charge from Scotland. Our army helicopters are reaching communities cut off from other organisations. The long-term development of the country is in the hands of the government, not NGOS.”
At a recent event organised by former Glasgow MP Mohammed Sarwar, with John Bercow, speaker of the House of Commons as special guest, more than £300,000 was pledged.
The Disasters Emergency Committee has praised the “unprecedented” generosity of the British public, who to date have given more than £42m.
‘I plead with you to give from your heart'. By Imran Azam from The Herald
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