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Edhi Foundation plans UAE branch in Ajman

DUBAI — Abdul Sattar Edhi, the founder of Pakistan’s most trusted charity and world renowned relief organisation, The Edhi Foundation, has said that he plans to set up a similar facility in the UAE.

The facility, based in Ajman, will be managed by his daughter. Talking to Khaleej Times, Edhi and wife Bilquis who are visiting the UAE after five years, said: “We are travelling around the world on a humanitarian mission.”

The simple couple who need no detailed introduction, are all praise for the UAE government. “My last visit to the UAE was in 2000 when the Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences conferred the Hamdan Award for Volunteers in Humanitarian Medical Services on me,” he recalled.

Reminiscing, Edhi, the winner of several other national and international awards, said that during his earlier visit, he had been offered a huge donation by the Rulers and was also offered help in setting up a facility anywhere in the world.

“Dubai is fast becoming an international centre, and if we set up our facility here, we might receive enough donations,” he said. “I take monetary help only from the people of my nation. This is a rule that I have set for myself, and Alhamdolillah, I have received billions of rupees as aid from my country's people. But if someone is willing to offer help voluntarily, then I am ready to accept,” he added, showing a glimpse of his steely resolve that has kept him going till today.

“I am not looking for appreciation or recognition because humanity is beyond such trivial matters,” he says.

Appreciating the gesture of the UAE government, Edhi said that they had applied for a 15-day visit visa, but the UAE government had given him a one-year visa, and had not even charged for it.

“Welfare work has become a money-making industry,” remarked Bilquis ruefully.

Bilquis, who has been a strong pillar of support for her husband is also ready to play her part in managing affairs in the UAE. “I have already visited the Humanitarian City in Dubai and we have been given the go-ahead to take up a place in the UAE.

“I am not much aware of this country, but I hope that the government will provide me support and accept my offer to help the people residing in the UAE,” says Edhi.

He plans to hand over the reigns of the UAE facility — that will be based in Ajman — to his daughter saying, “Women can better understand other women’s problems, therefore, I think my daughter is most capable of handling this office,” he explains.

At 80, Edhi is still going strong. His clarity of vision to help humanity is astounding. “Humanity is free from short- sightedness,” he says, surprising people with words of wisdom, unexpected from a man who has had very little formal education.

Not regretting the fact, Edhi does not hestitate to put forth harsh criticism. “One expects the educated people to understand and serve humanity better, but unfortunately, they are the ones who are flouting the rules the most,” he lamented.

His children are highly educated and are actively participating in his relief work.

The man who is still thinking about ways to help people the world over said, “My last wish is to set up an international emergency cell anywhere in Pakistan that can offer help to troubled people anywhere in the world. My desire is that this centre should be equipped with charter planes, free dispensaries and mobile emergency units,” he revealed saying that he had asked for 10 acres of land from the Capital Development Authority in Pakistan for this purpose.