The Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Nick Clegg, joined Islamic Relief at the annual Ramadan iftar dinner which was held at the Institute of Directors, London on 16th August.
The iftar dinner marked the launch of Islamic Relief’s Ramadan campaign which is raising money to help the 14 million people affected by the flooding in Pakistan.
The 200 guests at the iftar were joined by the Secretary of State for Development, Andrew Mitchell, and entrepreneur James Caan. The Deputy Prime Minister spoke to guests about the spirit of Ramadan and Islamic Relief’s response to the Pakistan floods:
“I am really, truly, honoured to be here in the month of Ramadan, a month of spirituality, of generosity, of compassion and of empathy.
I come here full of admiration for what Islamic Relief does. What you are doing is an example to us all. You are responding with the moral and organisational leadership which I think, frankly, has been lacking from the international community as a whole.”
Jehangir Malik, Islamic Relief UK Director, said, “It was our honour to welcome the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State to our Ramadan celebration. We deeply appreciate their messages of support to Islamic Relief, but more importantly their pledge to continue to help the survivors of the Pakistan floods.”
Islamic Relief has raised 2.7 million pounds in the UK, but still more is needed to assist the 14 million people affected by the floods. To donate to Islamic Relief’s Ramadan Appeal click here.
Islamic Relief is a member of the umbrella organisation the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). The DEC has so far raised over 17 million pounds for the survivors of the Pakistan floods. To donate to the DEC click here
For more information or to arrange an interview with Islamic Relief aid workers in Pakistan, contact Ruqaya Izzidien on 07855499645 or Ruqaya.izzidien@irworldwide.org
Notes to Editors
- Iftar is the meal that is eaten at sunset to break the Ramadan fast.
- According to the Pakistani authorities, up to 20 million people have been affected; the United Nations estimates the figure to be around 14 million.
- Islamic Relief has 11 offices in Pakistan and has been working in the country since 1991