MQM TO COLLECT GOODS AND FUNDS FOR RELIEF OF THE VICTIMS OF TSUNAMI DISASTER – ALTAF HUSSAIN

Appeals for the installation of Tsunami Warning Centres in the coastal areas of Pakistan

Karachi – 1 January 2005

The MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain announced today that the MQM will collect goods and funds for the relief of victims of Tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia Region. He also announced that the MQM Medical Aid will also dispatch a team of doctors with necessary medicines to the affected region. He appealed to the President, Prime Minister, Federal Cabinet, the Establishment and those at the helm of affairs for the installation of Tsunami warning systems/centres in the coastal areas of Pakistan as soon as possible. He was addressing a general workers meeting of the MQM organised in different cities simltaneously, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah, Thatta, Badin, Khairpur, Jacobabad, Sanghar, Shikarpur, Larkana, Naushero Feroze, Ghotki and Dadu. The meeting was attended by thousands of MQM workers, members of different wings, office bearers, federal and provincial ministers, advisers, senators and members of national and provincial assemblies.

Speaking on the Tsunami disaster that struck the Southeast Asia Region, Mr Hussain said that the year 2005 has began, when only five days ago the world has witnessed large scale devastation that has engulfed several countries of the Southeast Asia Region. The historians are compelled to declare this as one of the most devastating episode in the history of mankind where the death toll has exceeded 150,000 so far including elders, youth, women, innocent children and even infants. Mr Hussain said that because of the earthquake the Tsunami waves were so huge and travelling so fast that various areas of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Maldives and Somalia were obliterated. Several small islands of the region have been totally wiped out with no survivors. Referring to the touching and emotional scenes of the devastation on the electronic media, he said that no human being viewing this can control his tears.

Mr Hussain cited the story of a mother who was holding her two children in her lap. She was stuck in the flood and had to grab hold of grills to survive. The lives of all three were in danger but she had only two options, i.e. all three of them may die or to grab the grills and save two lives. It was the most testing time for a mother to decide which one of her children to sacrifice so as to save the life of the other. However, with a heavy heart she let go of her younger child thus sacrificing his life to grab hold of the grills and save the life of her other child. He said that most of the families have lost all their members in this disaster, whereas, in other cases, members of the same family have been separated and have no information on the whereabouts of their loved ones. Terming this as the worst ever incident in the peace time history of mankind, he said that more than 150000 humans have lost their lives so far, more dead bodies are still being recovered and search for the missing persons continues.

Mr Hussain said that instead of offering New Year’s greetings he would like to pray to Almighty Allah to keep all the inhabitants of earth safe from such natural catastrophe and devastations; pardon our sins, and shower His mercy and blessings upon us.

Mr Hussain said that unfortunately none of the countries affected had Tsunami warning system installed, however, announcements have now been made that they will install this system as soon as possible. He said, “God Forbid, Pakistan ever faces such a disaster”. However, “I would like to appeal to the President, Prime Minister, Federal Cabinet, the Establishment and those at the helm of affairs to please make all out efforts for the installation of Tsunami warning system/centres in all the coastal areas of Pakistan as soon as possible.”

Mr Hussain said that the pain and sufferings of the victims of the disaster regardless of their religion, colour, caste, nationality, region or language equally affects everyone who respects humanity. Those who love humanity will always share the sorrow and sufferings of others in distress. Mr Hussain said that while monitoring the Tsunami Disaster he thought of how he and his party could assist those in need and if even one life is saved as a result than this, will be a very small act of benevolence. He said that the office bearers of the MQM International Secretariat visiting the foreign missions of Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Maldives in London yesterday and donated a total of £50000, i.e. Rs 60,00,000 approx, as aid to support the victims of Tsunami Disaster.  He wished he had more to donate to provide aid and assistance. He said that similarly, the MQM USA Unit and Canada Unit will also be donating $15000 each to the foreign missions of their respective countries. Mr Hussain reiterated that the greatest worship is to serve the suffering humanity. Despite the fact how much time one spends in worship, if he or she does not come to the aid of those around them in time of need, then such worship will never be accepted because it is essential to come to the aid and rescue of the victims of disaster in conjunction with worship of Allah Almighty.

Mr Hussain announced that MQM will collect medicines, provisions, foodstuff, clothes and other necessities of life for the victims and will donate the goods to the foreign missions of the affected countries. He also announced that very soon a team of doctors from MQM Medical Aid along with essential medicines will also be dispatched to the affected countries. He appealed to the affluent people to come forward and generously donate for the Tsunami victims. He requested the opposition parties that at such a time when the world has been affected by this catastrophe to postpone their protests and demonstrations and come forward to proactively participate in the relief activities. He also appealed to all the MQM workers in Sindh, Punjab, NWFP and Balochistan and other members of other wings to collect relief goods for the victims. He appealed to all the inactive MQM workers as well to become active once again and participate in the relief activities. Mr Hussain also appealed to all the Overseas Units to actively participate in the relief activities with a view to serve humanity, to collect relief goods and funds and to donate these in the foreign missions of the affected countries in their respective countries.

In the end, Mr Hussain once again prayed to Almighty Allah to protect the entire humanity from such disasters and make this world a secure and safe place on this New Year.