Bushra Sheikh on supporting IKCA for Ramadan 2016
In Islam we learn that the Muslim Ummah is defined as a single body, when one limb hurts, the whole body is in pain.
I know there are many people who are fortunate enough that if they are diagnosed with a condition they can have access to timely, proper treatment free of cost. I am one such person. However, in Pakistan and in many developing countries, this is not the case. Those who can afford to often travel abroad to be treated. Those who are unable to, often suffer till the end.
Shaukat Khanum Hospital (SKMCH) offers hope to such people, by providing treatment free of charge. At SKMCH the poor are given the same chance of life as people from more privileged backgrounds.
The month of Ramadan is a month of reflection. A month for us to do good; get rid of bad and old habits; and draw closer to our Creator, Allah (swt). It is an opportunity for us to think of those who lack the means to have even a single decent meal after the long hours of fasting, or those who are too ill to fast and need healthy, nutritious meals to aid their recovery.
It says in Surah Al Baqarah (verse 274) ‘Those who give their wealth by night and day, secretly and openly, they shall have their reward near their Lord and they will have no fear nor will they grieve.’
What provision we have is from Allah (swt). The wealth we accumulate benefits no one by sitting in our bank accounts -and in any case, it belongs to Allah (swt), Who orders us to spend it on our families, on the needy and in His cause. All that we give in the form of charity is only what we have been given by Allah (swt) in the first place.
I believe that as a human race, survival would be difficult without being considerate and showing compassion and mercy to other human beings. The word cancer creates fear and is often associated with death for many, but it does not have to be this way.
Bushra Sheikh has been an IKCA volunteer since our inception, embarking on her first fundraising venture back in the mid-90s to raise money for Shaukat Khanum Hospital (SKMCH) Lahore. This Ramadan, she’s taken on the #Feed100 Iftar challenge and has so far raised £3,600 for cancer patients at SKMCH.
Do you want to take part in the #Feed100 Iftar challenge this Ramadan? Contact Us Now to receive information and promotional material to help make your #Feed100 iftar a success.
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