KhaleejTimes
From our correspondent

16 July 2006

BANGALORE — More than 300 madrassas in Karnataka under the Anjuman-E-Madaris, Karnataka, have come forward to offer financial aid to the children orphaned during the recent blasts in Mumbai, which claimed more than 200 lives.

The Anjuman-E-Madaris, Karnataka, has already identified six Hindu, four Christian and 10 unidentified orphaned children for aid. A 10-member team from the association, which is already in Mumbai, is holding talks with the authorities to collect data on more such children, according to Founder of Anjuman-E-Madaris, Karnataka, Amjad Hussain Hafiz.

The association was identifying orphaned children with a view to provide them financial support that will focus on their education. The association’s team was meeting local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to work out their rehabilitation at their respective community centers, the cost of which will be borne by Anjuman-E-Madaris, Karnataka.

Amjad Hussan Hafiz told reporters that the orphaned children would be rehabilitated at ashrams, missionaries and madrassas based on their respective religion. The team members are scheduled to return to Bangalore from Mumbai today. “After their return, we will scrutinise the reports about the orphans and work out a rehabilitation package for each orphan”, he said.

Though the team has already identified 20 children, who had been orphaned in the blasts that rocked Mumbai on July 11, the number of beneficiaries is expected to go up as the process of collecting data has not been completed.

Meanwhile, the volunteers of Anjuman-E-Madaris, Karnataka, have fanned out in different parts of Karnataka to collect donations from philanthropists and raise money for the cause.

Another Bangalore-based Muslim organisation — Karnataka Muslim Muttahida Mahaz — is also contemplating offering help to the blast victims through its Millat Relief Trust.

Many Muslim organizations in Bangalore and rest of Karnataka have severely condemned the bloody attack on train commuters of Mumbai and the urged the government to trace the culprits and take exemplary action against them.