Kashmiris collect, send aid to Kerala flood victims

Hirra Azmat

Srinagar, Aug 21: With memories of 2014 floods still fresh in their minds, people across Kashmir have come forward to help the people of Kerala.
Kerala has been hit by the devastating floods. In the times of crisis, Kashmiris have come forward to help the people in Kerala.
People across the Valley have been raising relief material and collecting donations.
The non-government organizations, civil society groups, business fraternity, religious groups, and people from other walks of life have also come together to help people of Kerala in these difficult times.
Mohammad Ashraf Mir, a prominent businessman said that Kashmiris came in support of Kerala flood victims on humanitarian grounds.
“The business fraternity has been donating relief for the victims. It was Umar Tramboo who took the initiative and started with his effort,” he said.
A civil society group, ‘Civil Society Forum Kashmir Health’ has also collected donations for flood victims. They dispatched food and other items for at least 2000 victims on Tuesday.
One of the representatives of the group, Zubair Ahmad said they collected relief material for flood victims.
“The valleyites are coming forward for help. We faced similar situation in 2014 and we stand by them in these difficult times,” he said.
The Team Read, an NGO of young Kashmiris too dispatched relief material for the victims.
Saadat, who is part of the NGO, said they are providing help to Kerala people on humanitarian grounds. “We collected donations. Lot of volunteers from Kashmiris are camping in Kerala. They require blankets, medicines, water and other basic necessities,” he said.
Masjid committees have been collecting relief from the people for the flood victims.
People at various places are voluntarily carrying the rice packs, edibles and donate the money to a nearby Masjid where stock is being dumped. This stock is then being sent to Kerala.
Gulzar Ahmad, a resident of Zakura, said Masjid committees have been collecting relief for flood victims. “We did same thing in 2014, when we adopted Baitul Maal-an Islamic concept- to help each other during troubled times,” he said.
“We have also been collecting relief. People from our side are donating money and the edibles, which is being dispatched to Kerala,” Mohammad Shafi, a resident of Barbarshah said.
Ali Mohammad, a resident of Bemina said there has been overwhelming response from the people over donating money.
Baitul Maal is an Arabic term that is translated as house of money or house of wealth. In Kashmir, the practice of helping each other in times of trouble dates back to 1878, when Valley was hit by a deadly drought. Similar practice was also adopted during 2010 when Valley was under curfew and restrictions around three months and then during 2014 September floods and then in 2016.

TAGGED:
Share This Article
Follow:
When the world fails to make sense, Hirra Azmat seeks solace in words. Both worlds, literary and the physical lend color to her journalism.
Leave a Comment