ROD helps socio-economically deplorable Muslims on Eid festival.

Written by: Jawad Mazhar (ROD)

On Friday Oct 12th, 2007 almost two days ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, Rays of
Development Organization (ROD) distributed Eid gifts among the appallingly
poor inhabitants of a ghetto consisting of approximately 350 huts, situated on the
outskirts of Sargodha city.

Eid-ul-Fiter is celebrated on the 1st of Islamic month of Shawal after the

conclusion of Islamic holy month of fasting, the Ramadan, to commemorate the
start of the descending of Holy Quraan. Eid is the day of triumph after 30 days of
fasting, exceeding joy and felicity. It is the day when children wear new colorful
garments and get their Eidi (Gifts/Money) from their elders. Poor are paid alms
and the families exchange gifts especially home made sweets and Pastas.

According to Islamic teachings, the month of Ramadan is considered to be the

most sacred month of the Islamic lunar year. During this month Muslims not only
fast but completely avoid or try to avoid all sorts of evil and sins. In this month the
Muslims worship, pray and reciting Holy Quraan through out the nights as it is
assumed that angels descend from heavens to grant the blessings to the true
worshipers.

ROD team started distributing Eid-ul-Fiter gift packs at about 03:00 PM on Oct
12th and distributed 400 Kgs of Pasta, with each packet weighing 0.5 Kg.
According to the figures more that 1000 residents of these huts got their Eid-ul-
Fiter gift from ROD.

Muhammad Riaz 70, the Head of the ghetto told ROD team that it is the first time
that some one has arrived to their threshold to help them. He said that after
meeting ROD team he is convinced that good people still exist in the world.
Concerned ghetto chief requested ROD team, with visible tears in his eyes, to start
a school for their children at the ghetto, as their children are wasting their time
hanging around here and there, simply because there is no school for them.

Chairman ROD MR Ferhan Mazher said, the principal objective behind the
distribution of Eid gift packets was to forge interfaith peace and harmony among
the dwellers of Pakistan, belonging to various faiths and sects. He also said that
Eid should not be celebrated lavishly but by helping the poor and needy, he
appealed to all the big-hearted and generous to come forward and extend their
hands to help Rays of Development Organization (ROD) establish a school for the
uncared and underprivileged children of this ghetto. He added that this school
would be the best Eid Gift for the residents and children of these huts. Chief of
ROD also thanked all the donors as well.

Donations by:
Special thanks to
Shaleem Imram, Talia Naeem, Ayesha Khan Niazi, Muhammad Waseem,
Syed Hashim Raza Bokhari and Khadijah Shah

ROD team including:

Nadeem Samuel, Imran Mazher, Shaleem Imram, Adil Naseem, Ashir Emmanuel,
Azeem Rustam, Adnan Saeed, Imran Muneer, Muhammad Waseem, Zimran Elias
and Jawad Mazhar

Report recommended by:

Mr Ferhan Mazher,
Chairman, Rays of Development Organization, Sargodha, Pakistan
www.raysofdevelopment.org