Updated 16 February 2010


The Hadith-e-Kisa Blanket Drive has just completed its 6th year of providing warm blankets to Muslims living in poverty. The programme aims to “spread the warmth” of the Ahlul Bayt (AS) by gifting warm blankets in their names to families and individuals trapped in the vicious circle of poverty. The blankets symbolize the love of the Ahlul Bayt through the narration of Hadith-e-Kisa – giving hope and increasing the faith of those who are living in despair.

DISTRIBUTION OF BLANKETS
The World Federation partnered with the Hussaini Foundation of Pakistan who was instrumental in coordinating the distribution of the blankets. A total of 1213 blankets were gifted to Muslims living in the cold northern mountains of Pakistan in and around the towns of Kohat, Hunza, Skardu (all in Gilgit) and in Hangu (Peshawar).

COST OF BLANKETS
The cost of one blanket was GBP £7 / USD $12 / CAD $13.  The blankets that were purchased and distributed are called ‘Razai’ and are slightly more costly than standard blankets. Razai blankets are thicker, warmer, and a little larger than what is readily available in the shops there. The normal blankets are not sufficient for the severe weather of the North.

PHOTOS:  DISTRIBUTION IN HANZU

PHOTOS:  DISTRIBUTION IN SKARDU
  

PERSONAL STORIES
The following accounts of this year’s distribution illustrate the impact of the annual Blanket Drive:

• The Hussaini Foundation reported that, “the poorest of the poor were listed and benefited from this drive, and the beneficiaries have praised a lot and pray for the donors. Overall, the people of this region know that both The World Federation and the Hussaini Foundation are with them in times of such needs.”
• One 50 year old recipient from the village of Niaslo, the coldest region in Skardu quoted:  "I had my own blanket when I was 10 years old which was bought by my mother after selling some rice. And now I got one from The Hadith-e-Kisa Blanket Drive as a gift. God bless them."
• An elderly lady from the village of Hasupi in Skardu quoted:  "We had fights all winter in our family for the shortage of blankets which is now over."

The World Federation would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of the donors who have and continue to make contributions to the HADITH-E-KISA BLANKET DRIVE. Your donation is truly making a difference in the lives of people in remote parts of the world. Thank you for your ongoing support.

The President of The World Federation, Dr. Asgar Moledina expressed:  “Each personal story that we hear from the recipients of the blankets is a testament to the important need that the Hadith-e-Kisa Blanket Drive is addressing. The World Federation is most grateful to the Hussaini Foundation and its dedicated team of volunteers for their continued support and unwavering commitment of this annual initiative which is carried out in the name of the Ahlul Bayt (AS).”

For more information, please email relief@world-federation.org