AL JADDAF (Dubai): On the third day of Eid-ul-Fitr, the spirit of the festival found its truest expression - members of the Kashmiri community gathering not to celebrate, but for the cause of saving human lives.
Inside the Blood Donation Centre at Dubai Health Care City in Dubai, only one of its kind in this luxurious city, Kashmiri people, including women, men, girls, and boys are lying on the beds, donating blood.
The room feels like a Kashmiri community hall, humming with the energy of Kashmiri conversations and brisk activity of donors waiting their turn or passing refreshments to those already on the beds. There are laughs, smiles, and warmth all over the place.
Among them is Anwar-ul-Haq, a Senior Project Manager for a British-based construction company, has been living in UAE for the last three decades. He’s been donating blood since then, he says, as he presses on a soft ball to keep his blood flowing into the bag.
For him, donating blood means giving back to humanity. Decades earlier, when Haq’s grandfather was suffering from a disease and needed blood to survive, he remembers how people in Kashmir rushed to the hospital to donate blood.
He donates “to give back” and hopes that the rewards reach his late mother as well, says Haq.
Haq is not alone here. On another bed to his left is his wife is also donating her blood.
“Just three days back, her father passed away here in UAE, and she said she will donate her blood while praying for peace for her deceased father’s soul,” said Anwar as he helped his wife remain calm when the nurse inserted a needle into her arm.
“She gets anxious, she is afraid of needles,” says Haq.
“As Kashmiris we believe in serving mankind wherever we are. We have been living in a beautiful country like the UAE, and this is a way of showing our gratitude,” says Yasmeen Rashid Bhat, founder of the KHL community.
While the community of Kashmiri diaspora, called Kasheer Hend Lukh (KHL) UAE Manz or The People of Kashmir, donate blood every year, this year the senior members say the participation and the enthusiasm has increased due to the war situation.
Zuhaib Mir, a software engineer here in UAE and a member of the community for the last two years, says, “My father was injured in a grenade attack during the turbulent period of ‘90s. I remember how people came in large numbers to help and donate blood to save my father’s life. I am trying to do that for someone else in need,” says Mir.
"For me, it's a holy pilgrimage," says Mir.
Mir, who belongs from Srinagar’s Zadibal area says, he has witnessed in two years how the community helps Kashmiri people who are facing any kind of problem - shelter, food, or visa issues.
“I feel proud to be part of this community,” he says.
One person in the room stood out amidst this crowd. Assisting everyone, 57-year-old Mr Bala, a businessman with origins in Karnataka, runs a social welfare program endorsed by the government of Dubai, where he tries to bring communities and people together to donate blood.
He has stepped in to help co-ordinate.
“I am really amazed at the number of Kashmiri people who have come to donate blood so far. In just one day, Ms. Yasmeen was able to bring nearly 40 people to donate blood,” said Mr Bala.
Bala has been donating blood since 1992 after his sister lost her life to cancer, he said.
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