Sports week: Baitul Mal children entertain audience

More than 1,500 orphans participating.

ISLAMABAD: A sports week, involving more than 1,500 orphans started off at Islamabad Sports Complex on Monday.

Children aged 4-6 years from across the country welcomed the guest through a march-past, led by fouryear- old, Ismatuallh, a boy from Kohistan.

They were dressed in the garb of armed forces, navy, air force, police, doctors, lawyers, rescue workers and Pakistani cricket team uniforms. A rather interesting costume was displayed in the form of children carrying toy video cameras representing the media.

Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Abdul Aziz Ibrahim Al-Ghadeer, Managing Director Baitul Mal Zamrud Khan and people from different walks of life attended the event. The ambassador said a special day should be designated for orphans on an international level. He added that every single orphan in Pakistan should be supported to make him a part of the community.

“They should not be called orphans, as we are there to look after them and give them all the care and love they need,” he added. He announced that every year he will donate Rs 200,000 to Baitul Mal for its Sweet Homes project.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2011.