IOCC encourages aid to flood-stricken Pakistan

Islamic Organization for Culture and Civilization (IOCC) has encouraged Maldivians to aid the people of flood-stricken Pakistan.

At a press conference held on Friday, IOCC’s President Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed urged all to take part in the telethon scheduled for tomorrow at PSM, organized by the Pakistan High Commission in the Maldives and Pakistan-Maldives Friendship Association, to raise funds for the victims of the devastating flooding in Pakistan.

“This is the moment Maldivian needs demonstrate work that is as symbolic as Maldives-Pakistan relations,” he added.

Dr. Shaheem underscored that he was well aware of the current economic situation in the Maldives. Nevertheless, he stressed that Maldivians were kind-hearted and generous people.

He further stated that the Islamic Ummah was one Ummah. Exampling the Islamic Ummah as a human body, Dr. Shaheem said that injury to any organ of the body will be felt by the rest of the organs.

He described the Maldives-Pakistan relations as a longstanding relationship forged through Islam. Dr. Shaheem also stressed that many Maldivian students had completed their studies in Pakistan.

“Yesterday, today and tomorrow, students who studied in Pakistan will hold prominent positions in this country,” he had said.

Speaking at today’s press conference, IOCC’s Vice President Ali Ahsan said that Pakistanis treat Maldivian students residing at the country as their own.

Therewith, he called on all Maldivians to provide aid to Pakistan, to their capacity.

The monsoon rains and flooding, which many experts say are fueled by climate change, have affected 33 million people across Pakistan and claimed over 1,500 lives. With two million homes across the country damaged or destroyed, about half a million flood survivors are homeless, living in tents and makeshift structures.

Pakistan estimates loss due to flooding at USD 40 billion.