Pakistan’s Alkhidmat Foundation Donates $530,000 to Palestinian Civilians
Muslim leadership stands divided in the shadow of Hamas-Israel conflict, expert says
[Islamabad] Pakistan’s top charity, the Alkhidmat Foundation, has already distributed approximately $530,000 in aid to Palestinian civilians affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict, with additional efforts ongoing.
Alkhidmat operates as a subsidiary of Jamaat-e-Islami, a moderate Islamist political party in Pakistan.
The foundation has gained a reputation as Pakistan’s largest charitable organization, particularly for its humanitarian work during the 2022 flood relief efforts.
Alkhidmat, with its extensive national presence, has consistently shown its commitment to aiding communities, irrespective of race, religion, or ethnic background.
Shoaib Hashmi, the senior manager of media relations at Alkhidmat, told The Media Line: “We have dispatched the first relief consignment from Pakistan to assist those affected in Gaza. The relief packages are being coordinated through the National Disaster Management Authority.”
Hafiz Naeem Ur Rehman, the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Karachi branch, told The Media Line, “Since we couldn’t reach Gaza directly after the crisis erupted, we are contributing by partnering with international organizations already active on the ground.”
Rehman further stated, “Alkhidmat Foundation has collaborated with Turkish groups such as the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, Turkish Heart Foundation, and Kenso Association to distribute the funds raised in Pakistan to Gaza.”
Syed Waqas Jaffri, the secretary general of Alkhidmat, told The Media Line, “Food and grains, medications, baby kits, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, and other necessities are among the 13 truckloads of relief supplies”
Jaffri added that the foundation “has allocated an additional $1.76 million for Gaza.”
We’ve mobilized quickly, using available resources to partner with global aid groups
Jaffri elaborated, “Alkhidmat initiated its relief efforts in Gaza on October 7, collaborating with international humanitarian organizations. The acute crisis has created an urgent need for food, water, and medical help. We’ve mobilized quickly, using available resources to partner with global aid groups.”
In response to questions from The Media Line, Jaffri explained, “We’ve sent relief supplies by truck to the Rafah border through international organizations. If the border opens, even briefly, these supplies will get to the communities in need.”
Currently, we are focusing on financial contributions to our partner charities, which they use to purchase and deliver essentials
Rehman went on to clarify, “Currently, we are focusing on financial contributions to our partner charities, which they use to purchase and deliver essentials. Sending money is more cost-effective than shipping items like clothing.”
According to an Associated Press of Pakistan report, “A special aircraft carrying 81 tons of humanitarian and medical aid from Pakistan for the brotherly people of Palestine in Gaza arrived at El-Arish International Airport in Egypt on Friday. Pakistan’s ambassador to Egypt, Sajid Bilal, handed over the aid to the Egyptian Red Crescent Society for its onward delivery to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Gaza.”
In a show of solidarity with Palestinians, renowned Pakistani singer Atif Aslam donated 10 million rupees (approximately $35,400) to Alkhidmat, for the purpose of medical aid and food to residents of Gaza.
Additionally, donation camps have been established throughout Pakistan, attracting donors eager to assist the people in Gaza.
For instance, McDonald’s Pakistan pledged to donate 10 million rupees to the Edhi Foundation for Gaza relief efforts. The announcement was made on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
This philanthropic pledge came amid global controversy surrounding claims that the fast-food chain discreetly provides free meals to the Israel Defense Forces.
McDonald’s Pakistan clarified in a statement that it operates as an independent business and has no ties to McDonald’s Israel.
There are currently 81 McDonald’s locations throughout Pakistan.
After these developments, a widespread public boycott led to a significant drop in sales for McDonald’s Pakistan.
In the meantime, Jamil Mughal, the chief operating officer of McDonald’s Pakistan, presented a donation check to Faisal Edhi, the Chairman of the Edhi Foundation.
Edhi told The Media Line, “Currently, the roads leading to Gaza are blocked; however, once the crossings reopen, the funds will be utilized to purchase relief supplies for dispensing them to the Gaza victims.”
Regardless of the underlying reasons for the Israeli-Hamas conflict, the loss of human life on both sides is undeniable. The ongoing airstrikes by the Israeli Air Force have led to a disproportionately high number of Palestinian casualties.
Despite expectations that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates could influence Israel through the Abraham Accords, no concrete actions have been seen to date.
Anti-Israel sentiments are increasingly common across the Muslim world, while the Abraham Accords, a 2020 normalization agreement between Israel and some Islamic nations, appear to be losing prominence.
Although Islamic nations and their citizens express a willingness to help victims in Gaza, none have officially offered military support to Hamas as of yet.
The Media Line consulted experts for their insights on the matter.
Dr. Syed Qandil Abbas, a Middle East expert from Quaid-i-Azam University’s School of Politics and International Relations, told The Media Line, “There may be disagreement among the Muslim leaders about how to deal with the Palestine conflict, but almost all of them are united to stop the massacre.”
Abbas asserted that “several nondemocratic Muslim leaders have succumbed to pressure from pro-Israel international powers to alter their pro-Palestine stance. They do so to secure guarantees for their continued rule from these powers rather than from their own societies.”
Muslim societies and states, particularly monarchical and nondemocratic ones, have diverging viewpoints
He went on to say, “Muslim societies and states, particularly monarchical and nondemocratic ones, have diverging viewpoints. Large-scale pro-Palestine campaigns and anti-Israel protests are a clear reflection of public sentiment.”
He further added: “Hamas fighters have developed strong working relationships with the Iran-led regional resistance bloc, gaining knowledge in guerrilla warfare. They seem self-sufficient and not reliant on Muslim states for their resistance needs”
Turning to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Abbas remarked, “The OIC has been largely ineffective in resolving conflicts in the Muslim world due to divisions among Muslim leaders. For example, in the OIC’s latest meeting, Iran’s suggestion of an oil embargo against Israel was dismissed, and a neutral statement was issued instead.”
Abbas opined, “Both Israel and the international community have missed the chance for a two-state solution due to Israel’s unilateral refusal to recognize Palestinian rights.”
The Media Line conversed with Amer Al Sabaileh, a Jordanian strategic analyst and nonresident fellow at Washington’s Stimson Center. He shared, “Public opinion is generally frustrated and dissatisfied with the current events in Gaza and the role that Islamic leaders have played in attempting to end hostilities.”
Al Sabaileh continued, “The United States’ robust support for Israel, along with a Western narrative that associates Hamas with the Islamic State group, contributes to the absence of pressure on Israel. Additionally, some Muslim nations are wary of a strengthened Hamas emerging from the conflict.”
Al Sabaileh stated, “Relations between some Arab countries and groups like Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood are tense. Furthermore, Arab states themselves are divided in their support: Qatar backs Hamas, the UAE supports Mohammed Dahlan, and others favor Palestinian Authority President Abbas. These divisions make it challenging for Islamic leaders to publicly endorse Hamas either militarily or politically. However, leaders within the Islamic Ummah aim to approach the issue from a humanitarian standpoint by adopting a moderate strategy.”
Al Sabaileh concluded, “The divergent views among countries will likely inhibit coordinated efforts to peacefully pressure Israel, whether through potential withdrawal from the Abraham Accords or other diplomatic channels.”
Following Hamas’ unexpected invasion on October 7, both Israel and the broader Middle East are grappling with significant repercussions. In response, Israel initiated Operation Swords of Iron, targeting Hamas locations in Gaza.
As reported by the Health Ministry of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, 6,546 people have been killed and 17,439 injured in the coastal region since the invasion on October 7.
According to Israeli authorities, since October 7, the conflict has resulted in the death of 1,410 Israelis and foreign nationals in Israel, with 5,132 injured, 224 taken hostage, and between 100 to 200 people still missing.
