The 7.6-magnitude earthquake, that centred near Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on 8th October 2005, caused more than 50,000 deaths and devastation that may take a decade to repair.
Burngreave residents have responded with extraordinary generosity, Mohammed Younis from the Pakistan Muslim Centre (PMC) told us:
“People have donated clothing, blankets, and tents – approximately 30 to 40 tons. One lorry full has already been flown to Pakistan and we are sorting out the rest. We’re now working with Sheffield City Council to raise £100,000 for the appeal.”
Firshill Community Primary School worked with the PMC, acting as a collection point for donated clothes and blankets for the earthquake victims. “It’s wonderful how much we collected in just three days,” said Amanda Revill, admin assistant at the school, while Irshad Akbar of the PMC said:
“The response from the public has been tremendous. It showed once again how multicultural Burngreave is when helping other communities in need.”
Burngreave’s mosques have also seen outstanding charity. Imam Hafiz Saleem Akhtar from Fir Vale Mosque lost friends, former teachers and colleagues in the earthquake, he said:
“So far, approximately £45,000 has been raised. Half was donated to the President’s Relief Fund, the rest directly to charities based in Muzzafarabad.”
Mr Siddique of the Burngreave Mosque told the Messenger they’ve raised £38,840.
“Children have donated their pocket money. Some people have cancelled plans to go to Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) and donated their money to the appeal.”
The Kashmir Education Trust is planning active ways to relieve people’s suffering, with collections in the city centre, and a sponsored walk is planned for 27th November in Derbyshire. They are also looking for volunteers to go to the region in December to assess and plan a long-term project. Contact KET on 272 8811 to get involved.
Staff at Pakistan Multicultural Advice Centre have seen the community come together following the tragedy. “We’ve had donations from all sections of the community, it’s heart warming to see. Please keep the donations coming, the victims of the earthquake are destitute and will now face a harsh winter.”
Donations can be made to the following:
South Asian Fund for Earthquake Relief (SAFER) through Sheffield City Council 272 6444 or Pakistan Muslim Centre 243 6091 President’s Relief Fund through Fir Vale Mosque or Pakistan Multicultural Advice Centre 261 9130 Money being taken directly to the region through Burngreave Mosque 270 1034