Calgary community raising funds for Pakistani flood victims

Posted Sep 3, 2022 4:00 pm.

Floods have displaced millions of people in Pakistan.

The Calgary Pakistani community is stepping up to help in all ways possible in a mission to help.

“This Friday after the prayers, we have collected only from this mosque, more than $40,000 dollars,” said Dr. Azhar Byte.

Floods in Pakistan have displaced millions of people, the Calgary Pakistani community is on a mission to help.

“Wherever there is a gap we want to fill it. money is the most important right now, that’s why we are having this event,” said Byte.

The Pakistani community in Calgary is making all possible efforts to raise funds and work towards the rehabilitation of those affected by floods in Pakistan.

“The Calgary community’s response has been awesome, really proud to be a Calgarian here.

We have started our donation campaign with this fundraiser dinner and we will continue doing so, with various other methods like bake sales and fairs,” said Anwar Mohiuddin, elected director of the Muslim Council of Calgary.

In the midst of a climate catastrophe that has caused devastating floods to wreak havoc on major regions in Pakistan, more than 1,200 people have been killed so far, while millions are displaced.

Those who have lost their homes, livelihoods, and even loved ones, say no amount of money is enough to rehabilitate this level of destruction.

“As much as we can, the scale of destruction is so huge, so for tonight, we are expecting more than $100,000 dollars, at least to start with. we have been collecting donations all over Canada, in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, and Montreal,” said Dr. Azhar Quddus, president, of the Islamic Circle of Northern America.

The Calgary community showed great passion in donating to the cause, even the little ones contributed their pocket money. Community leaders say these rehabilitation efforts should be planned long-term.

“One-third of the country is underwater, many people have been impacted and there will be long-term consequences and mental health issues. so i think we need to continue our efforts to make sure that we are there for them now when they need assistance and in the medium and long run to deal with the impacts,” said Irfan Sabir, NDP MLA, Calgary-Mccall.