By Jamil Khan @ Gulf Today-Sharjah, January 28, 2012

DUBAI: Pakistan’s former president Pervez Musharraf has postponed his return home as advised by the core committee of his party citing the current political situation there.
This was announced at a press conference in Dubai on Friday by Mohammed Ali Saif, who is the secretary-general of Musharraf’s All-Pakistan Muslim League Party (APML).
Musharraf had earlier announced that he would return to Pakistan around Jan.29, 2012.
In a press conference held at the APML headoffice in Dubai, the General Secretary Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said.
“The government used the political situation against Musharraf and tried to divert public attention by repeatedly issuing threats that he would be arrested upon arrival. Musharraf decided on Friday that he would accept the recommendations of the executive committee of our party to delay his return,” Saif told reporters.
He added that no new date had yet been decided and that the “decision (of returning) would be discussed by the core committee of the party.”
According to agency reports, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani told CNN in Davos that Musharraf would “certainly” be arrested if he set foot back in Pakistan.
Supporters of Musharraf had repeatedly urged him to defer his return to Islamabad following threats of arrests.
Musharraf faces two Pakistani court warrants for his arrest in connection with the 2006 death of Akbar Bugti, a rebel leader in the southwest, and the 2007 assassination of ex-prime minister Benazir Bhutto after her own homecoming.
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By Jamil Khan @ Gulf Today-Sharjah, January 26, 2012

DUBAI: The response from a call by officials at Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) was well-received as a huge crowd of people from various walks of life and various nationalities, including members of the Pakistani community, took part in a day-long blood donation campaign.
The campaign, “Give Blood – Give Hope” was arranged by International Modern Hospital in association with Dubai Blood Donation Centre, Dubai Health Authority (DHA) on Tuesday from 9am to 2pm at the hospital premises, which is located on Sheikh Rashid Road, Mankhool, Dubai.
“In the past, the PAD supported such campaigns and this time round it asked people to donate blood to save precious lives. We particularly approached our members as well as members from the Pakistani community and many others through various modes of communication to visit the hospital in maximum numbers to donate blood,” said Dr Faisal Ikram, general secretary of PAD while talking to The Gulf Today on Wednesday.
The campaign got a huge response as it was open for all people of all nationalities living in the  country. They  showed their commitment and made it a successful campaign.
“We expected at least 50 donors, but we received a big response from the Pakistani community, much more than what we had thought. They came forward and played their role as responsible members of society,” he added.
The Pakistan Association Dubai, which is one of the major organisations for the Pakistani community residing in Dubai and other emirates, provides a platform for the community to actively take part in activities meant for expatriates on many occasions, such as National Day.
“However, we are planning to organise a day-long blood donation camp soon after obtaining approval from authorities at PAD,” Dr Ikram said.
He pointed out that they approached many PAD members and community members and advised them to register themselves as donors through phone or the hospital’s website to avoid any inconvienience.
“We have received a good response so far as many offered PAD help,” he added.
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By Jamil Khan @ Gulf Today-Sharjah, January 23, 2012
 DUBAI: Shatha Hassoun, a prominent Iraqi singer and well known showbiz figure in the Middle East, has recently visited Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, Dubai and brought smiles on the faces of children with special needs.

Mariam Othman, director of Rashid Centre, received the guest at the centre and accompanied her during her visit to the different sections.
During her visit, Hassoun met with children with special needs at the recreational and play area and took part in their activities which they welcomed warmly. During her stay at the centre, she sang with children and created an emotional scene which brought tears to her eyes.
“An artist is a very sensitive person and has no values without the affection from the different parts of the society. I’m very touched and will never forget the love of these children,” she said.
Shatha Hassoun rose to fame as the winner of the 4th season of the pan-Arab television talent show Star Academy Arab World. She was the first woman to win the competition. She is currently one of the most popular singers in both the Middle East and Maghreb region, and is referred to as the “daughter of Mesopotamia”.
She affirmed that the participation of society’s different segments is necessary and pledged to raise awareness among the Arab world.
“The Arab world must extend permanent support and assistance towards the children with special needs while the artist community as well as decision-makers, women, businessmen, university professors and school teachers must show solidarity with these children.” Othman showed deep appreciation and lauded Hassoun’s efforts and support towards the centre and the children.
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By Jamil Khan @ Gulf Today-Sharjah, January 23, 2012

SHARJAH: Pakistan Consul General in Dubai Tariq Iqbal Soomro has asked women from the community to come forward and benefit from the opportunities available in the country.
He was speaking at the opening of a Pakistani boutique, Sabina Fashion, in Sharjah on Friday. The event was attended by a number of families from different communities.
The outlet has an exclusive collection of women’s clothes designed by a group of UAE-based Pakistani fashion designers, known worldwide for their unique clothes.
Soomro, accompanied by designers, toured the outlet.  Addressing the gathering he said: “The UAE is a unique place where opportunities for business are vast and we are delighted to have an increasing number of Pakistani brands in the local market. It is good for other communities to experience Pakistani-style women’s clothes at affordable prices near their homes in Sharjah.”
He asked Pakistani women to come forward and play their role in every field. He appreciated the designers’ efforts to bring a wonderful collection under one roof.
Sabina, who started the project, has been into fashion designing for the last four years. She told The Gulf Today that the idea to bring Pakistani and Indian women’s clothes came to her recently when she was participating in exhibitions in Dubai and other emirates.
“The massive response from different communities encouraged me to open the outlet. We have exclusive collections from 13 famous fashion designers based in the UAE and Pakistan, including Zara, Zarmina, Hejab Zafar, Aroosi, Zainab, Sheheryar and others,” she said.
She said that “the outlet is the first of its kind in Sharjah as women from Pakistan, India and other communities, including locals, will have the latest clothes, jewellery and handbags in their reach.
“I have noticed that even local women take great interest in Pakistani and Indian style clothes,” she said,  adding that soon they will have clothes and footwear for children and men as well.
“The price range for the dresses is between Dhs180 to Dhs700,” she said.
Some of the visitors said that it was good to have such an outlet of traditional clothes in Sharjah as earlier they used to go to Dubai, which was inconvenient for many, especially housewives.
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By Jamil Khan @ Gulf Today-Sharjah, January 20, 2012

ABU DHABI: A new block, consisting of new classrooms and all related facilities with the cost of Dhs850,000 for the children of Pakistani expatriates residing in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, has been opened at the Pakistan Community Welfare School and will also help to accommodate more children in the new academic session this year.
The new facility was established with the contribution of generous Pakistani community members led by Pakistan Professional Wing and Embassy and was inaugurated by Pakistan Ambassador to UAE Jamil Ahmed Khan in the presence of board members, officials from the embassy, representatives of Canadian School in Mussafah and dignatries from the community on Wednesday.
Ambassador Jamil Khan applauded the role of Pakistani community and the members of Professional Wing of Pakistan Association Dubai who have contributed in the expansion of the new facility.
“There is nothing impossible from the making of a  nation to setting up a school. It is the intention which makes everything easy and we are happy that the Pakistani community in the UAE is taking serious steps to take part in such projects which not only benefits the community but also helps strengthen the relationship with other communities,” he said.
He also asked the students to use their maximum potential to acquire the education as the community is striving hard to provide them with their available resources.
Later, Khan among other guests inaugurated the play area and visited the new section.
However, Shaheena Ajmal, a senior teacher at the school briefed the history of the school and said that this community welfare school was shifted at this place after President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan donated land for the school in 1995. “In 2003-04, with the contribution of Government of Pakistan and donations collected by the Pakistani community, six classrooms were built but the financial problems loomed and later the Pakistan Embassy took over and resolved the issues,” she added.
Munir Mahmood, chairman of Professional Wing (PW) said that the members of PW have been participating generously to provide education facilities to the children and helping this school is one such project initiated by the professional wing. “It is our goal that no child of our community left without education in the UAE,” he said.
He added that the Mussafah Canadian School and other schools had also joined with the Pakistani community school on different occassions to provide a platform to the children of their schools.
Mir Farooq Langove, Community Welfare Attache at the Pakistan Embassy told The Gulf Today that with the collaboration of the community and the funds collected by their department were used to established this facility. “Currently, we have around 431 students and in the upcoming session, the number will be inreased to 600 as earlier we were unable to take more students due to the shortage of space,” he said.
According to the officials, the community welfare school have over 80 per cent Pakistani children while remaining belong to other communities and it has been financially supported by the PW for the last couple of years and recently provided 11 air conditioners, computers besides taking part in the establishment of a new block.
The school started with six classrooms and now it has 16 classroom with over 400 students, providing them with all essential facilities, including state-of-art computer lab, furnished play ground, canteen  and clinics.
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By Jamil Khan @ Gulf Today-Sharjah, January 19, 2012

DUBAI: A number of Arab showbiz personalities attended an auction event for the children with special needs of Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre and raised more than Dhs2 million.
The proceeds generated through two auctions were held on Monday night at Madinat Jumairah Hotel in Dubai.
Artists from many Arab countries and dignitaries from various walks of life attended the event.
One of the main features of the event was a red-carpet walk.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Juma Bin Maktoum, managing director of the centre, was also present on the occasion.
Many top government officials and diplomats also attended the event.
The actors and actresses donated their personal belongings like dresses, jewellery and clothes designed by prominent designers in the Arab world.
Haifa Wehbe, Fifi Abdu and others came on stage and encouraged participants to show their love for the special needs kids and make the event successful.
Mariam Othman, director of the Rashid Centre, welcomed the guests and said that the auction was a successful event for the centre and that they have planned to expand the facility to accommodate more children.
“The participation and support of prominent showbiz personalities has proved that the cause of special needs children has become important for everyone. Many have purchased items to show their support for the kids,” she added.
Abdul Rahman Tahboob, media adviser of Rashid Centre, told The Gulf Today that event which was marked by a gala dinner and the auction of various items belonging to famous sports and showbiz personalities captured the attention of guests.
“The support of the guests and participants in the auction proved that the kids with special needs and the facilities for them are important for them. They took part in the auction and raised over Dhs2 million,” he added.
Tahboob said that the items of the auction included a photo taken by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, memorabilia such as Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier’s signed gloves, World Cup Football 2010 souvenir signed by the Spain team, and a Titanic signed montage by Milvina Dean (the oldest living survivor).
Some of the other items were Cristiano Ronaldo’s signed boot, a signed montage by Elvis Presley and Lady Diana as well as many personal items of famous personalities, including JF Kennedy’s letter.
Besides, the signed montage of Sir Winston Churchill, Adolf Hitler, Bruce Lee, Michael Jackson and The Beatles, signed shirts of prominent footballers Pele, Diego Maradona, Ryan Giggs, Lionel Messi, Eric Cantona and David Beckham and many other exclusive items were put on show.
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By Jamil Khan @ Gulf Today-Sharjah, January 16, 2012

DUBAI: Markham, the Canada’s high tech capital has been offering a huge number of opportunities and we are pleased to invite Pakistani and other UAE investors to avail the opportunities in the presence of world-class infrastructure and strategic market access to 135 million North American consumer within 500-mile radius.
This was stated by Frank Scarpitti, Mayor Town of Markham, Ontario, Canada in a reception hosted by Pakistan Business Council (PBC) at Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai.
The reception was also attended by Tariq Soomro, Pakistan Consul General in Dubai, S. Khawaja, Acting President PCB along with other officials and a number of Pakistani businessmen.
However, the Canadian delegation consist of Carolina Moretti, Councillor Ward 4-Markham, Latif Fazel, CEO Liberty Development, Stephen Chait, Director of Markham’s award winning Economic Development Department and many others who have been touring Dubai for the next couple of days to invite the businessmen to avail the opportunities as the delegation had just returned from India.
“Markham Town is open for business as we have around 900 international firm operating in the Canada’s high tech capital. We ask people like professionals, businessmen and others all over the world to flourish their business and enjoy the unique place for their business plan for the future,” he said. He also appreciated CG Tariq Soomro to link the Canadian delegation with Pakistani business community and laud the role of Pakistani community in Markham.
“We have been a number of Pakistani origin Canadian in Markham and have been celebrating their Independence Day at the Town Hall for the last six years,” he said.
Mayor Scarpitti is dedicated to promote Markham as a globally competitive business destination and building international business links. “Markham is a large South Asian population and is one of the most diverse municipality in all of Cana as 60 per cent of the population born outside the the town,” he said.
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By Jamil Khan @ Gulf Today-Sharjah, January 15, 2012

DUBAI: Showbiz personalities from different Arab countries and personal memorabilia of celebrities will be the star attractions at a grand event to be held in Dubai on Monday (Jan.16).
The event, “Stars’ Auction”, will be held in the Jawhara Hall, Madinat Al Jumeirah Hotel, Dubai to generate funds for the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, Dubai.
The personalities who have confirmed their attendance at a gala dinner and the auction include Arab sensation Haifa Wehbe; Fifi Abdu, famous Egyptian actor; Shatha Hasson, the Iraqi singer; Al Sayez Al Saeed and Aryam, Emirati singers; Ruwaida Al Mahrooqi; Nabila Obaidi and many more while a good number of sports personalities from around the world will also be there to take part in the red carpet show and the auction.
“The proceeds from the auction will be used for the expansion plan of the centre dedicated for its services to children with special needs,” said the officials of Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre while talking to The Gulf Today.
Mariam Othman, Director of the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, said that they were expecting the presence of major prominent personalities from Arab countries and other parts of the world to make the event a great success. “We have been receiving a great response from various international stars who donated their personal belongings for the auction whose proceeds will be used for the Rashid Centre,” she added.
She affirmed that “the event will shed light on handicapped children and their needs and in spreading awareness on the importance of international solidarity to provide these children a better future through their generous support.”
Othman said that they have also signed a special contract with the Vertu Mobile Company to produce a special limited edition of six pieces of luxury Vertu mobile phones with sapphire (ruby). “This limited edition number 1/6 and 6/6 will be displayed in the live auction while the other four phones will be displayed in the silent auction,” she added.
The auction will consist of two parts: a silent one and a live one at the gala dinner.
Those who can participate in the live auction will have the opportunity to buy memorabilia such as Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier’s signed gloves; Cristiano Ronaldo’s signed boot; World Cup Football 2010 signed by the Spain team, a Titanic signed montage by Milvina Dean (the oldest living survivor); signed montage by Elvis Presley and Lady Diana besides a number of other items.
The silent auction will incorporate many personal items of famous personalities including JF Kennedy’s letter; signed montage of Sir Winston Churchill, Adolf Hitler, Bruce Lee, Michael Jackson, The Beatles; signed shirts of prominent footballers Pele, Diego Maradona, Ryan Giggs, Lionel Messi, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and many other exclusive items.
A photo taken by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, the sponsor of the award, will also be displayed in this auction.
Sahar Al Zarei, the assistant secretary general of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award, confirmed that “by participating in this event, the award aims at supporting charitable projects organised by the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre which has a renowned name worldwide for the care it provides to children with disabilities.”
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By Jamil Khan @ Gulf Today-Sharjah, January 13, 2012

DUBAI: A group of 21 students from different faculties of the DePauw University, Indiana, USA, are in town for the last couple of days as a part of their winter term course 2012.
So far they have visited different parts of the UAE and found the country “a unique place in the Middle East” with its fast growth of economy in the presence of globalisation.
Every year as a part of winter term course, various groups of students of the DePauw University from different faculties visit a country and experience globalisation and multiculturalism.
This year the group is in the UAE to interact with the Pakistani community residing in the UAE to understand the multicultural values of Pakistani expatriates, the second largest community in the country.
The group of students led by Jeffery T Kenney, Professor of Religious Studies and Professor Harry Brown of DePauw University attended a dinner hosted by Pakistani community’s major platform, Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) and its various wings including Pakistan Business Council, Professional Wing, Chartered Accountant Forum while members of other wings also attended the reception held at Clover Creek Hotel, Dubai on Wednesday.
Professor Kenney while talking to The Gulf Today said that, “So far we have visited different historical sites in Dubai as well as malls and also visited American University of Sharjah, one of the major university. We are also planning to go to Fujairah and later Abu Dhabi to experience globalisation and multiculturalism in the UAE.
“After this two-week long trip, the students will have to complete their assignment  by incorporating their experience of what they have seen. The global, economic and political aspects and development of Dubai and the UAE will be presented by them in the form of a photo-journalistic book.”
During their stay in the UAE, the delegation will meet different communities as well as will visit various universities to interact with people with different backgrounds. Besides this is a big opportunity for students to travel far part of the world and experience as well as education,” he said.
He further added that it is first time that a group of students from DePauw University are visiting Middle East. “When we finalised our destination to Dubai, UAE, we found great enthusiasm among the students who enrolled themselves for this opportunity and showed great interest to visit the UAE. May be we will send another group next year to accommodate the remaining students who are not part of this visit.
However, I have been in various countries but the Dubai is much different in terms of its development, its economic activities and the multi-cultural environment,” he said.
However, Muhammad Usman, one of the students associated with the delegation shared his view and said “it is a wonderful experience to visit this part of the world. Although I am enrolled in Arabic Policy course and this is my first visit of the Middle East and we found UAE as an interesting place as it has majority of its population of expatriates and a different place to understand the phenomena of multiculturism and what it does in the society.”
Later the representatives of different wings of PAD presented detail presentation on the activities of Pakistani community residing and taking part in the progressive role of the country.
Muhammad Nafees, an official from Chartered Accountant Forum of PAD said that the community has been considering UAE its second home as he himself has been living in the Emirates for almost more than three decades. “The great visionary leaders of UAE like, Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid as well as the present rulers are great admirers of Pakistan and its community. As our community has been present in the country since its federation in 1971 and played a significent role in the development of various sectors of the UAE and still doing so,”  he said.
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By Jamil Khan @ Gulf Today-Sharjah, January 13, 2012

DUBAI: The Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, Dubai, has recently received donation worth Dhs100,000 from a healthcare centre operating in Dubai.
The cheque was received by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation, CEO of the Emirates and Chairman of the Rashid centre.
It was handed over by a delegation of Quality Health Care International headed by its founder and President, Professor Harry Jacobson.
The delegation visited the institution recently and observed the services provided to the children with special needs.
The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum and Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, a member of Board of Directors, and the founder of the Centre Ahmed Hashim Khoury, Rashid Farooq, Chief Executive of the Group or BMW Holding, and Abdullah Baqir, General Manager of Business Development in the Medical Establishment.
Sheikh Ahmed showed deep appreciation for the humanitarian initiatives in support of children with special needs at the Rashid Centre.
He added that it was the moral responsibility of local and international companies operating in the Emirates to contribute for the promotion of charitable work.
Professor Jacobson, along with other delegation members, visited the centre in the presence of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmook Al Maktoum on the occassion of honouring mothers of children studying in the Rashid Centre recently.
The event was held in response to the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
Appreciation certificates signed by him were handed over to the participants.
Meanwhile, Al Nasr Football Club, one of the prominent sports institutions and Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, signed a MoU (Memorandum of understanding) to exchange the club’s expertise with the children with special needs at the centre.
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