Updated 31 October 2012

The following article is one of a series of reports on ‘DELIVERING THE FUTURE’ where we will share some of The World Federation’s amazing experiences from our recent visit to Pakistan’s flood affected areas. Sayyid Aliraza Naqvi, Assistant Secretary General for Islamic Education and Kaniz Bhimani, Relief Manager for International Relief and Development visited Pakistan’s rural communities to see the progress of our activities in Pakistan between 14 and 21 September 2012.

Imam Reza (as) said:  “May God have mercy on the one who revives our mission! He should learn our teachings and impart them to the people; for if the people become aware of the beauty and charm of our words and teachings, they shall surely follow us.” 

‘Jogi’ is a cast or a tribe in Pakistan, whose profession is to panhandle for a living. This lifestyle has been passed on from generation to generation and its practices, and in turn the people are considered shameful among the different tribes across the country. Sadly, because of their low status in society, many Jogi children choose not to attend school because they are teased by other children. Instead, they take up the torch and learn the art of approaching strangers for money.

On Day 6 of our journey, we visited two ‘Jogi’ villages where The World Federation constructed two Islamic Centres and placed two religious guides. As well, 100 new homes were built and gifted to displaced families affected by the 2010 floods. It was here where we saw for ourselves the far-reaching effects of our work in Pakistan.

 

The Jogi people welcomed us into their new mosques with warmth and love – one of the villages even wrote “welcome” and drew a big heart on the roadway to the Islamic Centre. The radiance of the Ahlul Bayt (as) surrounded us when we sat together inside the Islamic Centres where the community shared with us their journey to Islam. They told us that because of the guidance they received from their new religious scholars, 99 percent of the Jogi people in both of these villages no longer practiced their custom of ‘panhandling’. They gave up this shameful habit for a more respectable way of life. This was an “Aha!” moment for us - where we witnessed the living proof of the above hadith. These Islamic Centres and religious scholars are a means to an end – to guide people to the doorsteps of the Ahlul Bayt (as) and ultimately to reach Allah (swt). It was working.

In Dodo Jogi Village, the community people have now turned to farming to earn a decent living. Unfortunately, the August 2012 rains have flooded acres and acres of farmland here destroying most of the crop.

Before the mosque here was built, the children did not know anything about Islam. They used to spend their days in play.  Six months ago, a madrasah was established by the religious guide. Now, these same children can recite Namaaz, Dua Hujjat, read Qur’an and name the 12 Imams. The community is very proud of this achievement.

The Jogi children now go to school that was built especially for them by our agent in Pakistan; they are no longer teased and can learn in the peace and comfort of a friendly environment. The children receive free education and books. We met 15 year old Nokkar Abbas who wants to be a doctor one day. Sayyid Aliraza Naqvi encouraged him to follow this dream and to develop more of such goals, work hard, stay focussed and Insha’Allah he would succeed. 

Community members had tears in their eyes as they expressed their heartfelt appreciation for these Islamic Centres and guides because this was the first time in their lives that anyone cared enough to help them. 

These Jogi Adults and children otherwise locked into a life of poverty and spiritual coma have made a conscious effort to change their ways in exchange for an Islamic way of life. This rebirth is attributed to the guidance and support provided by the new Islamic Centres and scholars. Upon our departure, Sayyid Aliraza Naqvi extended The World Federation’s sincere appreciation to the community for utilizing these Islamic Centres and guides in the way they were meant to be. He told them that he was delighted to see the progress this community has made in only six months and that by teaching children Dua Hujjat, they have given them the tools to call upon their Imam for help at any time in their lives.

Stay tuned for next week when we take you into the lives of 2 orphan brothers and the tears we shed together.      

DELIVER THE FUTURE
Donations to the ‘Delivering the Future:  Islamic Scholars for Islamic Centres Fund’ will fund the placement of desperately needed religious guides in the 105 newly built Islamic Centres across Pakistan’s scattered and remote villages sponsored by The World Federation. This initiative is essential to ensure that the centres are properly utilised, and that people, especially the children and youth are educated in Islamic teachings. This project is underway and the results are phenomenal. The cost of sponsoring one Islamic Scholar in one Islamic Centre for an entire year is only £965 GBP / $1,540 USD-CAD per year. Donors to this fund are making a real and lifelong impact on thousands of men, women and children who are rediscovering the light and guidance of the Ahlul Bayt (as). Sponsor an Islamic Scholar in full or in part and join us in ‘Delivering the Future’.

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