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.