Cool breeze from the Holy Land

It was the same Holy Month of Ramadan when my Sire (PBUH) appeared from the Cave of Hira, went straight to his home and asked our spiritual mother Khadeejah (RA) in trembling voice for a blanket and told her that He(PBUH) might not survive anymore. That great intellectual and farsighted lady replied immediately,
“It is impossible, I swear  Allah will never let you in despair or defame. As you always care for your relations and help every destitute from your own pocket. You spare nothing in hospitality of a guest and you always stand by truth while judging any matter.”(A-Bukhari)
          He who is a great help for the poor, patron of orphans and widows, problem solver for even the strangers and a big source of consolation for friends and foes alike and Mercy for the whole mankind is none other than Muhammad (PBUH) who is our common Sire (PBUH), both of yours as well as mine. His native country is the land of Haramain Sharifain, the region of Hijaz in Arabia. In October 2005 when an earthquake shook the northern Pakistan, the present ruler of the land of My Sire (PBUH) who prefers to be called “TheCustodian of the Two Holy Mosque”s  helped us with unprecedented generosity. Now the floods have created the same situation and again our old friend stands with us like ever before. This is the first country whose ruler King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz donated SR 20 million from his own pocket. The crown Prince Sultan gave SR10 million while Prince Naif donated SR 0.5 million.
 
          The Government of  Saudi Arabia has announced a grant of $120 million for the flood affectees in Pakistan and sent 30 airplanes full of relief goods which are being unloaded at the airports of our country at Karachi, Sukkur, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan and Jacobabad. The transportation of relief goods from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan depicts a scene of Air Bridge made of airplanes in the Pakistani skies. This is the first country whose people are also participating in relief work for flood affectees of my country.
 
Similarly, Saudi Arabia also sent two makeshift Hospitals to Pakistan. These hospitals are fully equipped with each and every facility Operation Theater, IC unit, laboratory and X-ray. In short, the land of My Sire (PBUH) is the best in the world. It is number one nation not only in the court of Allah but also in the service of humankind. We, the Pakistanis, caught in difficult times, pray that may Allah always keep Saudi Arabia at top of  the world.
 
The ‘Newsweek’ in its issue of August 16, 2010 has published a list most respected rulers. Ironically Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is responsible for atrocities in Indian Occupied Kashmir in which innocent women and children are being slaughtered has been put on the top of the list while a person like King Abdullah has been put in the 9th place despite his invaluable services for mankind. One can ask why he was not at the top of the list. He is the one who contributed generously and rendered matchless services for helping the victims of Tsunami, Haiti earthquake and Katarina that ruined the shores of United States. Kingdome of Saudi Arabia is the biggest donor for UN relief activities. Still it has been put in the 9th place. Is it not an obvious injustice that a Zero (Manmohan Singh) is preferred upon a Hero (King Abdullah)? In my impartial point of view, ‘Newsweek’ has lost its credibility by way of this biased comparison.
 
 
          My Sire (PBUH) was the Ruler of whole of the Arabian Peninsula. One part of it is now an independent country. Its name is United Arab Emirates. Its President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zaid sent seven helicopters to facilitate the relief work in flood-hit areas. Its army is also engaged in relief work in Pakistan. The commander-in-chief of this Army is an officer of a Brigadier rank. Sheikh Khalifa after hearing the news of floods in Pakistan immediately sent an airplane to Pakistan. The plane was in fact a flying Hospital. No sooner did it touch the grounds of Pakistan it was converted into a most modern Hospital. This Hospital is now serving flood stricken people of Pakistan day and night.
 
          The ex-custodian of Holy Places, Turkey is also not lagging behind in this virtuous task. It was also in the vanguard of rescuers during 2005 earthquake. One can see Fiber Houses built by Turkish Engineers during that national disaster. The beautiful buildings of Muzaffarabad and Doulai Universities and hundreds of schools spread all over the Azad Kashmir owe to the sincere help of our Turkish brethren. Turkey once again is standing with us in these difficult times. It has announced to build relief towns for flood-affectees. Turk volunteers are working with their Pakistani counterparts for the rehabilitation of homeless people. The flowers of love of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul are spreading their fragrance in the air of Pakistan.
 
          A small peninsular projection in Arabian Peninsula is named Qatar which is an independent state of the world. Its ruler His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is a world-renowned philanthropist. Qatar is also a big name in the list of the ‘friends in need’ of Pakistan. Iran, Malaysia, and Kuwait are also doing their best to steer the wrecked boat of Pakistan towards the safe waters.
 
          Western media is trying its best to portray that US is on top of the list in helping Pakistan with pledges of $150 million. In return, they want to win our hearts and minds but our Muslim brothers like Saudi Arabia are selflessly helping us –they are helping with substance not with mere pledges. US is trying to pose itself as most generous state to help Pakistanis but it does not disclose that it is only diverting an a portion already earmarked amount of $1.5 billion annual financial aid to Pakistan under Kerry-Lugar Act. Contrary to U.S. media campaign Saudi Arabia is keeping itself low in the media but most visible in the hearts and minds of Pakistani nation. It is at the top of the list in helping out Pakistan from this devastating calamity and we the Pakistani are thankful for the cool breeze coming from the Holy land
 
         
          *Amir Hamza is an Islamic Scholar and author of more than 20 Islamic books