We, the Global Anti-Imperialism Grassroots Islamic Organization, are greatly saddened by the plight of the Pakistani people following the October 8, 2005 earthquake which shattered South Asia. Our sympathies are with the Pakistani people on the suffering and death brought to them by this tragic event.
The earthquake which measured magnitude 7.6 contributed to widespread death in Azad Kashmir and the northern part of Pakistan. The earthquake occurred Saturday, October 8th around 8:50 am Pakistan time. The epicenter of the earthquake was around Muzaffarabad, which is the capitol of Azad Kashmir. The official death toll issued by the government of Pakistan is now above 50,000, however we have strong reason to believe that the actual death toll is far higher, numbering more than 100,000. The infastructure of Azad Kashmir is in shambles. The situation can best be described as lawless and chaotic. Almost all the high government officials in Azad Kashmir are reported dead or missing under the debris. Many small villages have been completely wiped out. More than 1,000 schools and hospitals are completely destroyed, some of which were destroyed with schoolchildren and patients inside. Many people are still trying to survive under the debris, some have been rescued. The survivors are without medicine and proper treatment, warm clothing, and shelter. Many Pakistanis have lost their homes and are now living in tents without proper protection from the harsh winter conditions. The situation is urgent and requires our immediate attention.
It is our duty as Muslims to help our Islamic brothers in any disaster, natural or man-made. The Holy Prophet Muhammad, the peace and blessings be upon his noble soul, taught us that if one part of the Muslim nation is suffering, the entire Muslim nation should feel it. Such events are tragic when they happen to anyone, however when these events happened to our fellow Muslims, we have a greater obligation to help.
GAIGIO has personally donated a gracious sum to the earthquake fund in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. We have personally made sure the aid has been delivered it to the victims of the earthquake. We urge everyone with the means to give, please send some aid to the vicitms of the earthquake natural disaster, especially in this holy month of Ramadan. The holy month of Ramadan is a time when our hands should be gracious and our hearts soft for the suffering people in the world. In this time, no place requires your money more than the suffering people in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir who are still buried under rubble.
To conclude, we would like to express our admiration of the courage and self-sacrifice of the Pakistani people in helping their brethren, as well as commend the Muslim world for a swift and massive response to the suffering of the Pakistani nation. We would like to express our gratitude to all those who have helped the Islamic nation in its period of trial anywhere in the world. The Islamic peoples' quality of brotherhood, generosity, and kindness have been proved through the response of this great calamity. We pray to Allah for all those who have suffered in the duration of this event. May Allah help those of our brothers and sisters in need, bless those who dedicate their time and wealth to help the vicitms of this great calamity, and lead those who have died in this natural disaster to Everlasting Paradise. Ameen.
-issued by the Global Anti-Imperialism Grassroots Islamic Organization [10/16/05]