Successful Dallas partnership walk

Congratulations!
We are proud of the successful Partnership Walk in Dallas on Sunday, September 27, 2009.

About 6000 People attended the event and over half a million dollars were raised for the under privileged around the world.

It is through these initiatives we can change the world of the underprivileged. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) described a good deed as an act which benefits others, such as planting a tree that serves generations of wayfarers with fruit and the shade. The world is a better place today because of a good legacy bequeathed to humanity by people of all faiths that came before us. We owe it to coming generations to leave the world a little better than we found it, to usher an era of justice and peace. Taking care of God's creation indeed is a good deed. "The noblest of you, in sight of Allah, is the best in conduct" Quraan 49:13.

The Walk is an initiative of Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. (AKF USA) to raise awareness and funds to alleviate global poverty and promote partnership between America and the developing world. We thank HH Aga Khan for this great work. As a Muslim I see a change in a positive perception of the world about us, that Muslims are doing good things.

Jazak Allah Khair

Mike Ghouse
http://www.worldmuslimcongress.org/

6,000 WALK TO END GLOBAL POVERTY
AT DALLAS PARTNERSHIP WALK ON SEPTEMBER 27

DALLAS, TEXAS, September 27, 2009 – Over 6,000 participated in the Dallas Partnership Walk, an event held annually in major cities across the U.S. The Walk is an initiative of Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. (AKF USA) to raise awareness and funds to alleviate global poverty and promote partnership between America and the developing world.

This year’s Dallas Walk brought together families, friends, students and leaders in government, business, media and the arts for a day of learning activities, fundraising and culturally diverse performances. Dallas Partnership Walk raised $550,000. 100% of funds raised at Partnership Walk go directly to the projects supported by the Foundation. The cost of organizing the Walk is completely underwritten by AKF USA and in-kind contributors. No contributions are used for administrative costs.

The Dallas Partnership Walk was held on Sunday, September 27 at 12:00 noon at Dallas City Hall Plaza in Dallas, TX. Participants walked to demonstrate their support for ending global poverty. Nationwide, over 30,000 are expected to participate in the Walk in nine cities. At the opening ceremony Dr. Donald R. Bobbit, Provost and Vice President of Academics Affairs at University of Texas at Arlington, gave an inspiring keynote address discussing the vast benefits of education and our obligation to help those in need. “As those who are more fortunate, here in the U.S., it is our responsibility to share our abundant resources. When half the world’s population lives on $2 a day, less than my morning cup of coffee, it’s the right thing to do.” Media celebrities Bob Ray Sanders, Vice President and Associate Editor of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and Arezow Dost, reporter, KTVT Channel 11 hosted the program that featured lively entertainment celebrating the diversity of world cultures and educational exhibits. To view highlights from the event, visit the Partnership Walk website at http://www.partnershipsinaction.org/walk/

The 2009 theme for the Walk, “Education – The Universal Bridge” highlighted the impact of Aga Khan Foundation’s educational activities. Serving as a bridge to help individuals and communities build more productive, fulfilling and dignified lives, the Foundation’s educational activities span across a broad range of initiatives to help people in Asia and Africa reach their full potential, covering early childhood development, primary and secondary school improvement, and skills and management training for professionals, entrepreneurs and community members.

Aga Khan Foundation’s education programs bring to light the power of partnerships and reflect the Foundation’s enduring commitment to education. For over a quarter century, Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. has worked in the developing world in the areas of health, education, rural development, civil society and the environment. These efforts equip people with life-long skills to overcome poverty and embrace the time-tested principle of helping people to help themselves.

Participants at the Dallas Walk traveled across bridges of progress and learning at the interactive Village in Action. Young and old enjoyed displays and hands-on exhibits from an extensive bridge constructed by volunteers to a petting zoo. Each exhibit spotlighted how the Foundation is implementing creative solutions to overcome poverty with projects that promote quality education and health care, expand microcredit opportunities and improve incomes and agricultural productivity in developing areas. The educational exhibits introduced walkers to the innovative ways that Aga Khan Foundation is alleviating hunger, disease and illiteracy.

AKF USA, established in 1981, is a private, non-denominational, non-profit international development organization committed to alleviating poverty, hunger, disease and illiteracy. AKF USA is part of the Aga Khan Development Network (www.akdn.org), a network of private, non-denominational, development agencies around the world, established by His Highness the Aga Khan to empower communities and individuals, often in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities. The overarching goal of the Network’s programs is to help poor communities achieve a level of self-reliance whereby they are able to plan their own futures. The Foundation presently supports over 100 programs in 18 countries for the common good of all citizens regardless of their gender, origin or religion. The geographic focus of the Foundation’s development programs is in East Africa and South and Central Asia.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Martha Sipple, Communications & Public Affairs Officer, Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A.
(202) 293-2537 or cell: (202) 203-0838

Mr. Rafiq Lakhani, Media Volunteer for the Dallas Partnership Walk Team
(214) 293-2809

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