Srinagar, Mar 14: As the sacred month of Ramadhan unfolds its blessings, a tale of compassion and selflessness emerges from the heart of Srinagar. In the bustling corridors of the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), a devoted group of youth from Valley stands as a beacon of hope for patients and attendants alike.
Amidst the solemn atmosphere of the valley’s largest hospital, they are not just serving Sehri and Iftari meals, but also nourishing spirits during this holy month of Ramadhan.
Each day, 32-year-old Umar Wani, alongside his friend Muzamil Nazir and their dedicated team, undertakes the noble task of distributing meals twice a day among thousands of patients and attendants at the hospital. Often, their commitment extends through the entire night as they remain inside the hospital premises to ensure no one remains hungry.
Hailing from the nearby Nowshera locality of Srinagar, Wani recalls his memories in Europe of his family’s Kashmir art business. There he saw that people are very concerned about their fellows and the nation. “That experience left a lasting impression on me. It ignited a desire to serve my community upon my return home”, he said.
Upon his arrival back in Kashmir, Wani says he visited a hospital during Ramadan to see a relative. It was during this visit that he witnessed the struggles faced by many individuals in accessing fresh food at the time of Iftar and Sehri. “This encounter deeply moved me and encouraged me to start this initiative,” he said.
Recognizing the diverse backgrounds of those in need, Wani and his companions founded the NGO “We the Helping Hands.”
Their initiative commenced with the distribution of Iftar packets within three patient wards of the SKIMS Hospital. The overwhelming response prompted them to expand their efforts, with another three wards in the hospital being served the following day.
“We used Social Media for public donations and got positive responses from people as they liked this new concept. Currently, we are distributing 2000-2200 Iftar packets and Sehri meals among 1000-1200 packets. It has become hope for many people who are taking care of patients inside the hospital,” he said.
With unwavering dedication, Wani and his team have established the NGO “We the Helping Hand,” through which they are extending their services to those in need. At present, they are distributing meals to patients and attendants within the confines of the Soura Medical Institute.
“Earlier we were taking orders from a nearby restaurant, but after the trust of people we hired four cooks who hygienically prepare this food,” he said adding that there are around 500 volunteers who are associated with his group.
Reflecting on their efforts, Wani underlines the importance of reaching out to every corner of Kashmir to ensure that no one goes hungry during this sacred month. Their commitment to serving the community has garnered praise and admiration from all quarters.
Apart from Ramadhan arrangements, Wani’s group has been actively engaged in various social initiatives aimed at uplifting the community. From organising mass marriages to extending a helping hand to orphans and needy people.
Another member of Wani’s team, Muzamil Nazir, said that they have organized around 750 mass marriages so far. In 2023 alone 4 times, our team arranged 214 weddings for couples from financially challenged backgrounds. Their primary aim is to make marriage ceremonies more affordable and advocate for simpler weddings. This year our target is 300 plus mass marriages, he said.
The focus is on promoting simple Nikkah ceremonies while discouraging the practice of dowry and other costly rituals that burden underprivileged families, he said.
Muzamil says that these mass marriages are a welcome response to the challenges faced by parents who struggle to marry off their children due to financial constraints related to dowries and extravagant ceremonies. The simplicity of these marriages also aligns with the principles encouraged by Islam, he said.
“The aim is to bring vibrant change in the society and we are also sponsoring the education of 35 orphans and 15 poor students till 10th grade. We run free-of-cost tailoring centers in all 10 districts of Kashmir to empower the girls.
Muzamil also thanked social media supporters for their donations. He invited them to visit us and see how their contributions are making a difference in Kashmir. We promise to uphold their trust and continue helping Kashmiri people for as long as we can,” he added.
