Disaster unites community again

It almost seems these days that the world can't go a week without another devastating natural disaster.

Already in the midst of a major campus-wide fundraising effort, members of the UB community pooled their efforts for yet another disaster relief event Wednesday evening, filling Knox 110 with garbage bags of winter coats, bedding and clothing donations to help the victims of the recent earthquake in Southeast Asia.

The event was both a fundraiser and memorial service in tribute to the victims of the recent quake that took well over 30,000 lives in the early hours last weekend.

With heads bowed down, the attendees took a moment of silence to remember the people who did not survive the disaster and to also pray for those who did.

"Tonight, we want to introduce the issue because a lot of people are not aware of the suffering that is taking place over there," said Faisal Jawaid, president of the Pakistani Student Association, which hosted the event with Bangladeshi SA, UB Bhangra Club, Indian SA, Muslim SA, the Organization of Arab Students, and the Garba Raas Club.

Part of the service included a slideshow with photographs of the devastation along with statistical information, which was followed by brief statements from representatives of the various student organizations. Each expressed words of encouragement for everyone to work together to give and do what they can.

According to Jawaid, the numerous student organizations made an agreement with the Pakistan International Airport that students would drive their own vehicles to a mosque in Rochester after the memorial service to drop off over 50 bags of clothing and bedding. From Rochester, the clothing will be delivered to the affected areas.

The 7.6 magnitude earthquake directly affected the Himalayan region of Pakistan and India, where the loss of human life is overwhelming. For some residents of Western New York, the earthquake hit very close to home.

"I grew up in Muzzafarabad and every house in the village is down and every school in the village is destroyed," said Israr Abbasi, a resident of Jamestown who is involved with the Human Development Foundation, which is assisting with the relief efforts. "The children who went to school never came home and at this time, the dead are gone and the living are the ones who need our help."

Abbasi said the efforts made by the student organizations at UB have given him a sense of pride in the younger generation and their ability to put their differences aside and help others who need it most.

"We now live in a globalized world so we are able to deliver many necessities to the areas in the middle of the Himalayas," Abbasi said. "The help of the students shows the world that the younger generation is doing their part in helping humanity, by putting adversity aside."

For some students, photographs of the affected areas and people are all they have to remember how beautiful the Himalayan region looked before this devastating earthquake took its toll.

"I visited all of these places over the summer and they are beautiful," said Sona Khan, a junior communication major. "The young kids we saw were so cute and they all stood to pose for my pictures, but now I look at those photos and it hurts to think of what the earthquake could have done to them."

The SA groups are still accepting any form of donation, from money to clothing and bedding.

Quratulain Majoka, events coordinator for Pakistan SA, said she felt the memorial service went well and was appreciative for the support the event received from both the UB and community.

"I think this evening was a success," Majoka said. "We have over 50, full brimming bags of clothes and bedding and numerous monetary donations were made. My extended family is in Pakistan right now, so this hits very close to home for me."

"It's time for great unity," Majoka added. "It is time to help those who need it most because we are representing the human race."

Majoka said the clothing and monetary collections will continue until necessary, and the best way to get more information is to contact any of the club members.

Faizan Haq, a lecturer at UB for Islamic cultural history and the vice president of the Pakistani American Association of Western New York, said he sees this tragedy as motivation for people of the world to come together and do their part.

"We must come together as one family of human beings," Haq said. "We will overcome the difficulties and the hardships and the diversity in this gathering tonight is proof of unity."