Drought in Africa

The holy month of Ramadān cultivates the believer in almost every area of his spiritual life. Among other things, we learn through personal experience about what hunger, poverty, loneliness and discomforts mean to the less fortunate sections of the society.

In this holy month, we should remember all those that are in discomfort. The current situation in Africa is heart pinching. While we open our fast with the luxury of various meals and clean drinking water, we should remember those who are dying for a drop of water and  a grain of food.

On a daily basis, the media is reporting deaths due to severe drought in North East Africa. Over 11 million people are facing severe food and water shortages. Refugees from Somalia have been trekking for days to get to refugee camps. In some parts, 60% of cattle have perished. There are major concerns that the most vulnerable children and elderly will not survive the latest crisis. Hundreds are dying every day in the camps.

Syedna Hadrat Khalīfatul Masīh V^aa has instructed Humanity First to carry out relief work in East Africa. Humanity First Volunteers including 20 women and 50 men from Kenya are helping in the affected areas and are distributing food parcels to refugees.

I urge the members of Jamā`at to donate to Humanity First for the relief efforts of the Africa drought. During the month of Ramadān Humanity First is organizing various Iftār Fund-raising events, members are encouraged to attend these events and donate generously.

May Allāh enable us to help those in need and may Allāh eliminate the suffering of humanity throughout the world. Āmīn.

Wassalam,

Lal Khan Malik

Amīr Jamā`at Ahmadiyya Canada

This announcement was published in Sept-Oct 2011 issue of Ahmadiyya Gazette Canada