Maha: Muslim organisations pledge help for drought-hit farmers

Mumbai, Sep 23: Ahead of the Bakrid festivities, Muslim organisations today expressed solidarity with the drought-affected farmers in Marathwada region of Maharashtra and pledged help for them.

Social Education and Welfare Association (SEWA), which is helping the farmers, today held a workshop in Mumbai's Islam Gymkhana, which was chaired by Hazrat Maulana Moin Miyan Saheb, chief of Jamia Qadariya Ashrafiya.

Expressing concern over the plight of farmers, SEWA president Yusuf Abrahani said, "Due to the drought, hundreds of farmers in Maharashtra have committed suicide and their number is on rise. It is our duty to support them."

SEWA would publish its bank account number to collect funds for the farmers, he said, and requested the Muslims to offer special prayers for farmers in their Eid-ul-Adha prayers and donate money to help them, he said.

Maulana Mustaqeem Azmi, president of Jamiat-e-Ulema, Maharashtra, said, "Islam teaches us to help everyone irrespective of the religion. This is a noble cause and everyone should join this movement."

Aamir Edresy, president of Association of Muslim Professionals, announced his support for the cause and said, "A team will visit the villages in Latur, Beed and Osmanabad districts to provide financial support to the needy farmers."

PTI