CHICAGO: "We in India believe that if rain comes before a good cause, it is God's blessing" said Ashok Kumar Attri, the Indian Consul General, addressing a large gathering of Chicago community's elites who had flocked to be present at an Awareness dinner fundraiser arranged by Aga Khan Foundation USA last week in Skokie, an Illinois suburb.
The event was organized to generate funds for the $12 billion Foundation's welfare activities in Indian sub-continent and Africa. The Consul General related his own personal experience with AKF humanitarian activities in Nairobi and said that his own daughter was born in AKF hospital and had her education in AKF School. FIA president Iftekhar Shareef hailed AKF welfare activities in India. He said while in Delhi near Hazrat Nizamabad dargah he had witnessed how the AKF took care of underprivileged, running school and hospital for them.Earlier, Aziz Ajani Chairman AKF Midwest welcomed the guests and briefly spoke about AKF activities in USA. A video presentation showed AKF hospitals, schools in Mumbai.
The keynote address was to have been delivered by Dr Zulfikar Esmail, Chairman Premier Bank and former AKF USA chairman. However, as he could not make it due flight delay, Iqbal Noorali addressed the gathering on his behalf. He spoke about AKF activities for health, education for underprivileged, and its mission of rural development.
"The AKF is working for global poverty eradication", he said. Elaborating the history of the foundation, he said that Prince Ali Khan, who was the 49th Imam of Ismailis, a sect of the Islam, founded this body. It is a non-denomination network primarily working to improve the living conditions of the poor based on Islamic principles. He noted that his community was among the first in the world to encourage women to get education and make learning a core of their ethics. "Our activities encompass all phases of life including health, education and rural development and we have done a remarkable job.
We work with over 60 private and governmental agencies worldwide and are in partnership with people," Dr Noorani said.An auction was arranged to generate funds. Air India donated two tickets for India from USA. Dr Mehboob Kapadia won the tickets by giving highest bid. Former Indian Cricket Captain Mohammed Azharuddin joined the podium for fundraising.
A bat signed by Azhar was also auctioned and won by Iftekhar Shareef. Babu Patel announced AKF annual donation for four consecutive years. Niranjan Shah also donated generously for AKF humanitarian mission. An entertainment program was presented by Saaz & Awaz Orchestra. Mafat Patel gave vote of thanks on behalf of organizers.
The Aga Khan Foundation is a non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967 to develop and promote creative solutions to problems that impede social development, primarily in Asia and East Africa. Created as a private, non-profit foundation under Swiss law, it has branches and independent affiliates in 15 countries.
It is a modern vehicle for traditional philanthropy in the Ismaili Muslim community under the leadership of the Aga Khan.