Syed Mussarat Khalil

Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH — Renowned Saudi scholar, writer and former diplomat who specializes in Southeast Asian affairs Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi announced a charitable donation for welfare projects and activities in Bangladesh related to stranded Pakistanis at a function organized by Muslim Welfare & Development Organization (MW&DO) at Mehran restaurant on Monday.



In his speech, Dr. Ghamdi thanked MW&DO for inviting him to the function. He praised the efforts and the noble works being undertaken by MW&DO for stranded Pakistanis who are living in camps in Bangladesh in miserable conditions.



Dr. Ghamdi offered his support for the efforts and also announced a humanitarian donation to help the stranded Pakistanis in the field of education, health and self-empowerment.



Dr. Ghamdi in a meeting last week had urged for a quick resolution of the stranded Pakistanis issue at an event organized by Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) on the auspicious occasion of 68th anniversary of Pakistan independence. He also urged actions and stated that it would be appropriate that OIC takes lead in solving the issue of stranded Pakistanis.



Dr. Ghamdi while lauding the birth of Pakistan, had said that the creation of Pakistan was not only important for the Muslims of the subcontinent but also for the whole Muslim world and strong and stable Pakistan is the need of Ummah.



Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s strong roles could help in solving issues faced to the Muslim Ummah as we notice more and more issues such as Burmese, Syrian, Iraq, Yemen issues are surfacing, while issues like Palestine, Kashmir and stranded Pakistanis remain unsolved, Dr. Ghamdi added.



On the issue of quarter million Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh, he said, both Pakistan and Bangladesh should seek help of OIC and MWL to solve their repatriation & rehabilitation issue. He was surprised that a petition submitted by SPGRC was nixed due to lack of its registration in Pakistan. He asked the Pakistani advocates to initiate another petition to the Supreme court to secure their rights of Pakistani citizenship.



He had then said that these people are legitimate Pakistanis and denying their right is not good for the image of Pakistan. They did not accept Bangladeshi citizenship and preferred to live in miserable conditions in squalid camps for over four decades in the hope of their repatriation promised by most of the rulers and a trust was established in 1988 for this purpose.



He had also said that once Dr. Abdullah Omar Nasseef fully recovers a delegation comprising of Dr. Francis Lamand, himself and PRC Chairman Ehtesham uddin Arshad would seek a meeting with prime minister Nawaz Sharif to discuss action plan for their repatriation and rehabilitation on urgent basis.



Abu Farhan Siddiqui, representative of the Muslim Welfare and Development Organization (MW&DO) described the purpose of the gathering was to inform and provide plans to MW&DO members, supporters and well wishers about the Qurbani (sacrificial rite) this year (2015) in Bangladesh for the stranded Pakistanis living at Adamjee, Bogra, Chittagong , Mirpur, Rajshahi, Naogaon, and other places.



He said the estimated cost of a share in Qurbani for this year included one share in cow @SR250 and one share in goat is SR350. Cost of share also includes transportation, taxes, feeding, slaughtering, cleaning, distribution etc.



He also revealed that he would be relocating to Karachi soon and Ali Akbar Jahangir, executive member of MW&DO, will be the local coordinator with the well wishers of stranded Pakistanis.



He extended his thanks to Dr. Ghamdi for his generous donation and prayed that May Allah shower on Dr. Ghamdi His mercy and forgiveness.



Earlier senior member Hamid-ul-Islam welcomed all guests. Zakir Hussain, a Bangladeshi national working at World Muslim League (WML), Makkah, recited few verses from Holy Qur’an. He also spoke on the existing living condition of stranded Pakistanis in Bangladeshi camps, calling it squalid and miserable, while also urging on all the parties to work quickly for a resolution of the issue.



Renowned poet Syed Mohsin Ali Rizvi presented Naat (a poetry that specifically praises the Prophet Muhammad PBHM) during the event.

 Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi announced donation for stranded Pakistan in Bangladesh.