Pakistani Earthquake

Met with the Pakistani Community this evening to help raise money for relief of the Pakistani flood disaster.

With Cholera breaking out, the flood waters continuing to rise and thousands of people being displaced this was one of the most important meetings I have been to for a long time. I have been really moved by what has happened in Pakistan and have been keen to make sure that Reading is able to support the relief efforts.

That being said it was very enjoyable, but with a serious purpose, to spend time with the community, break the fast and share a meal with them. All this as part of the community's attempts to raise money. I was talking to the guys who were collecting money and they were telling me how generous people on the streets were being.

I was particularly pleased to see a mix of locals, and friends there. I was particularly pleased to see some friends from Wycliffe Baptist church there. It was also gratifying to see some of our Labour councillors there. Unfortunately the Park Councillors from the other Parties seemed to be absent, which was a shame.

If you want to donate some money to the relief efforts click the link to the Disasters Emergency Committee here

Happy Christmas-Again

Went to the Pakistan Community Centre Christmas Party last week.

It was great to meet up with members of the Pakistani Community, Christian Community and local politicians to celebrate Christmas. We also heard a speach from the Chair of the Pakistani Bar Association.

I enjoyed a mixture of politicians and religious speakers trying to explain what the message of Christmas. I was particularly pleased to see the PCC taking the risk to celebrate, what is afterall, a Christian feast.

At least two of the politicians or hope to be politicians weren't asked to speak, I was one. The other one spent the meeting fuming and rudely complaining to the leaders of the community centre that he wasn't asked to speak. I also hear that when he went to the RISC, his spiritual home, he was still in a bad mood and was, according to my correspondent, rude to the staff.

So it was great to meet members of the Pakistani Community across the Ward. I always enjoying meeting Saleem and his team, and want to record my thanks for the event.

If you are in the Christmas mood, I can recommend the Christmas Eve service at Wycliffe Baptist Church. It takes place at 11.30 and is always a moving service, laying out the real meaning of Christmas and its impact in the world.

If you miss that then there's the Christmas Day Service. For more details follow this link

So in short  I would like to wish both, I mean all my readers a very happy and blessed Christmas. I hope that you enjoy a good break and come back to 2010 refreshed and excited about the challenges ahead.

An Evening Spent with Rahim Shah

Spent an evening with Park Ward's Pakistani Community a couple of weeks ago.

I was at a fundraiser for KORT, Kashmir Orphans Relief Trust. They were raising funds for an orphanage that they were building in Kashmir for children orphaned by the terrible earthquake in October 2005. They are doing great work and are on their way to building a home for over 1,000 children. I recommend their website.

As well as having the chance to listen to residents' concerns and show my support to this good cause. The trust had a star at the event in the shape of Rahim Shah, the famous singer from Pakistan. I was so bowled over by his singing I took some shaky footage on my phone, which I've uploaded for you to enjoy too.



I don't think that the images and quality do him justice, but perhaps give you a flavour of the evening.