ROD helps socio-economically deplorable Muslims on Eid-ul-Fitr festival

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Written by: Jawad Mazhar (ROD)

On Friday Oct 12th, 2007 almost two days ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, Rays of Development Organization (ROD) distributed Eid gifts among the appallingly poor inhabitants of a slum consisting of approximately 350 huts, situated on the outskirts of Sargodha city. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated on the 1st of Islamic month of Shawal after the conclusion of Islamic holy month of fasting, the Ramadan, to commemorate the start of the descending of Holy Quraan. Eid is the day of triumph after 30 days of fasting, exceeding joy and felicity. It is the day when children wear new colorful garments and get their Eidi (Gifts/Money) from their elders. Poor people are given alms and the families exchange gifts especially home made sweets and Pastas.

According to Islamic teachings, the month of Ramadan is considered to be the most sacred month of the Islamic lunar year. During this month Muslims not only fast but completely avoid or try to avoid all sorts of evil and sins. In this month the Muslims worship,
pray and reciting Holy Quraan through out the nights as it is assumed that angels descend from heavens to grant the blessings to the true worshipers.

ROD team started distributing Eid-ul-Fitr gift packs at about 03:00 PM on Oct 12th and distributed 400 Kgs of Pasta, with each packet weighing 0.5 Kg. According to the figures more that 1000 residents of these huts got their Eid-ul-Fitr gift from ROD.

Muhammad Riaz 70, the Head of the slum told ROD team that it is the first time that some one has arrived to their threshold to help them. He said that after meeting ROD team he is convinced that good people still exist in the world. Concerned slum chief requested
ROD team, with visible tears in his eyes, to start a school for their children at the slum, as their children are wasting their time hanging around here and there, simply because there is no school for them.

Chairman ROD MR Ferhan Mazher said, the principal objective behind the distribution of Eid gift packets was to forge interfaith peace and harmony among the dwellers of Pakistan, belonging to various faiths and sects. He also said that Eid should not be celebrated lavishly but by helping the poor and needy, he appealed to all the big-hearted and generous to come forward and extend their hands to help Rays of Development Organization (ROD) establish a school for the uncared and underprivileged children of this slum. He added that this school would be the best Eid Gift for the residents and children of these huts. Chief of ROD also thanked all the donors as well.

Special thanks to following for Donations:
Shaleem Imram, Talia Naeem, Ayesha Khan Niazi, Muhammad Waseem,
Syed Hashim Raza Bokhari and Khadijah Shah

ROD team including:
Nadeem Samuel, Imran Mazher, Shaleem Imram, Adil Naseem, Ashir Emmanuel, Azeem Rustam, Adnan Saeed, Imran Muneer, Muhammad Waseem, Zimran Elias & Jawad Mazhar

Report recommended by:

Mr Ferhan Mazher,
Chairman, Rays of Development Organization, Sargodha, Pakistan
www.raysofdevelopment.org