Pakistani community in Abu Dhabi requests to give Zakat to flood victims

Abu Dhabi: The Pakistani community is requesting community members to give ‘Zakat' (the practice of giving away some of their wealth to the needy) during Ramadan to flood victims in Pakistan.

A meeting of community members, convened by the Pakistan Embassy yesterday, observed the agencies overseeing the relief operations needed more cash Khursheed Ahmad Junejo, the Pakistani Ambassador to the UAE told Gulf News yesterday.

"That's why we decided to request the community members give Zakat to the victims of the flood," he said, adding a committee would also be coordinating with the UAE Red Crescent, which has been working hard in the affected areas. "We appreciated the help extended by the UAE Government and its various agencies. Three helicopters, provided by the UAE to the Pakistan Army for the rescue operations, were very helpful; it's a notable gesture," he said.

Some community members expressed concern over the delay of relief efforts in Abu Dhabi. Dr Talat Mahmoud Bhatt, told Gulf News the meeting had taken the right steps by deciding to coordinate with the UAE authorities.