Message to Bhutto Family

We send our most sincerest and deepest commiseration to  Bhutto family and especially to her children at this most difficult of times.   Our prayers for Pakistan and its people, Inshallah.  It's time for reflection and not recrimation. Benazir contributed to the democratic processes in Pakistan and significantly raised the profile of Muslim woman in politics, world wide. I sincerely hope and pray that the ''will of justice'' prevail in Pakistan and that people resolutely create a ''new chapter of hope'', lasting peace and tranquility to a proud nation.

Baroness Uddin
 

Bangladesh Emergency Fundraising Live TV Appeal

10 December 2007

River Room, House of Lords

www.baronessuddin.com 

Bangladesh Emergency Fundraising Live TV Appeal
Hosted by Baroness Uddin

Baroness Uddin opened the appeal  and thanked everyone for responding so promptly and being there. She stated the urgency of coordinating the post cyclone efforts to maximize assistance for the survivors and reiterated for the need for continuing to keep Bangladesh live in the mind of particularly Parliamentarians and media. She said that without Islam Channel's ability to be creative in their responses and the cooperation of Channel S, in partnership with Muslim Aid,  the event would have been impossible. This event was organized to highlight the reconstruction of two of the villages which will cost in the region of 800,000. The Baroness Uddin paid particular tribute Ridwan for flying back to assist in the appeal.

Baroness Uddin then introduced the Lord Speaker, the Rt Hon the Baroness Hayman. The Lord Speaker commended those present and welcomed them to the River Room which had not seen such diversity of charities working together. The Lord Speaker stressed the importance of promoting individuals and organizations interested in community affairs and working together. The Lord Speaker praised the work of Baroness Uddin in bringing this historic gathering in place and urged the viewers of Islam Channel and Channel S to be generous in giving to the Appeal

Rizwan Hussain spoke of his two recent visits to Bangladesh and explained the work of the Muslim Aid team on the ground. It consisted of sixty full time staff and over four-hundred volunteers.  1.5 m of a planned 3m had been raised with a further 500,000 in kind. This had paid for medicine, food, housing and water purification tablets. He went on to say the target was 3m and hoped all present and viewing would dig deep and help achieve the target.

His Excellency the High Commissioner of Bangladesh Shafi U. Ahmed praised the contribution of Britain felt extremely encouraged by Britain's Bangladeshi community response to the tragedy. . He said four million people have been affected by Tropical Cyclone Sydr and that the Bangladesh Government now has formulated long term plans for redevelopment. HE the High Commissioner welcomed the Channel S and Muslim Aid partnership,  urging donations to be channeled through the Government of Bangladesh  and thanked Baroness Uddin for her leadership and efforts.

Abdul Jalil, just returning from Bangladesh today addressed the gathering and in graphic details described the work he and Rizwan were involved in which included burying children with their bare hands, distributing foods, water and aids. He agreed with the High Commissioner that accountability and transparency of financial contributions was warranted. During his visit to Bangladesh he spent his first five days coming to terms with the effects of the cyclone. He said Muslim Aid had taken on an infrastructure assistance role and was clearing roads so that food could be delivered. He said of the two villages to be rebuilt, the first village had 360 houses and the second 365 houses.

Ms Ann Maine MP addressed the gathering and  reminded everyone to be conscious of the impact of global climate change on Bangladesh. She asked everyone to dig deep. She paid tribute to Rizwan for his tireless fundraising efforts.

Peter Bottomley MP for Worthing West was introduced and said he was proud of how his local community had responded to the appeal saying their solidarity was admirable. He congratulated all those involved.

Md Yusuf Islam co-founder of Muslim Aid,  founder and chairman of the Small Kindness charity. Small Kindness has assisted refugees in the Balkans, Iraq, Indonesia, Darfur and Kashmir. He talked about the effects of climate change and global warming and that there was only approximately 10 years left to turn around the effects of climate change.

Baroness Uddin thanked Md Yusuf Islam for responding to a 24 hours notice request and reiterated the importance of his contribution to the community and the event itself.  She stressed the pride with which she was able to welcome his presence. 

Mohammed Ali, CEO of Islam Channel addressed the gathering, urged particularly the Pakistani Community  to come to the aid of the victims of Cyclone Sidr and also called on those wealthy businessmen and women in oil rich country to help this effort.  Baroness Uddin expressed her gratitude to Md Ali and his team for their visionary  zeal in coming to the assistance on this occasion.

The Rt Hon Harriet Harman, MP QC, leader of the Commons and the Minister for Women addressed the meeting. She acknowledged the crucial role of the Department for International Development (DFID) and paid tribute to the unseen contributors, the local Bangladeshi community, whose continuous support of Bangladesh was of utmost importance to the economy and growth of Bangladesh. Ms Harman praised the leadership of Baroness Uddin in brining this gathering in place and wished the Appeal well.

George Roka of International Health Partners said that he couldn't imagine how he would feel if he lost his children in similar circumstances. He praised Baroness Uddin's leadership in brining their organization into partnership with Muslim Aid and Channel S. He said that they were in discussion as to how medicines, aid and food can be sent. He  also said it was important that we must not become desensitized to effects of climate change.

Baroness Prasher, Baroness Smith, Baroness Whittaker, Lord Tebbit, The Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP were also present.

 Viewers were invited to phone in and bid for:

• Two carriage clocks donated by the House of Lords
• A Chelsea FC football signed by the Chelsea FC team members, donated by Frank Lampard
• Two West Ham FC shirts signed by the players, donated by Roger Cross
• A dinner with Baroness Uddin

 

Several speakers from DEC, Christian Aids as well as well known community personalities contributed.

 
Food sponsored by Channel S and provided by Pride of Asia.   

Day in a Life of Baroness Uddin...

Coming Soon.

Highlights

• Bangladesh Emergency Fundraising Live TV Appeal
  
• Reception in Aid of the Bangladesh Emergency Fundraising Appeal
  
• Message from The Prime Minister
• Cyclone SIDR: Damage Information