Nazia Hassan Foundation launched at Commons to help poor children
Nazia Hassan Foundation launched at Commons to help poor children Nazia Hassan Foundation has been launched at Atlee Room of the House of Commons here on late Wednesday to carry forward the mission of the legendary music star to help the vulnerable children in the country. The ceremony was organized by British MPs Muhammad Sarwar and Khalid Mahmood.
Nazia Hassan's parents Basir Hassan, Muniza Basir and her brother Zoheb Hassan have set up the Foundation which enjoys the support of British MPs and peers. Nazia, 35, died of cancer on Aug. 13, 2000 and left behind a three year old son Arez. "Disco Deewaney", "Young Tarang", and "Hot Line", were some of her hit music albums.
Under the Foundation, Nazia Hassan Children Home (NHCH) will be set up at SOS children village in Pakistan which will accommodate 20 children ( 10 boys and 10 girls) of the same age who had lost their parents. They will be supported till the time they were able to support themselves, said Zoheb while explaining the aims of the foundation.
NHCH will adopt a mother to cater to the emotional needs of the children and give them a sense of security of a home. These children will be picked up transcending the religious and ethnic affiliations. A kindergarten, with vocational training facilities, will be set up for them.
This will be supported through earnings of Nazia Hassan Royalty. Besides special shows "Tribute to Nazia Hassan" will be staged across the globe to raise the fund for the purpose, said Zoheb.
One such show had already been held in Karachi while the second was being planned at Dubai. The Foundation has also initiated yearly "Nazia Hassan Awards" to recognize the contribution of individuals who excel in combining the "best of the East and the West and have made outstanding contribution to their fusion". Many artists were given awards on the occasion in recognition of their work in this regard.
Besides a large number of Asians drawn from cross section of the society, the launching ceremony was attended by Pakistan’s High Commissioner Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, Lord Paul of Marylebone, the Baronness Flather, Lord Bhatia MPs Muhammad Sarwar and Khalid Mahmood and the only Asian member of the ruling labour party’s Executive Shaid Malik. Speaking on the occasion Pakistan High Commissioner Dr. Maleeha Lodhi said Nazia Hassan was an extraordinary woman and she was the "daughter of Pakistan". She was a star which inspired a whole generation of people and always wanted to do something to help fellow human beings.
Dr. Maleeha said, she was an icon of a wonderful human being and was committed to put across the message of peace, harmony brotherhood and sisterhood.
A documentary based on her life and work of the Nazia Hassan whose songs enthralled the music lovers across the globe, was also shown on the occasion.
