Cancer victim tells of charitable efforts.
A leading Muslim charity has hailed an entrepreneur who has raised around £2 million for humanitarian projects after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Al-Khair Foundation honoured Australian Muslim Ali Banat with a special UK tour to spread the message of hope and charity at the CSN Centre in Birmingham at the weekend. A 1,000-strong audience heard Imam Qasim, Founder and Chairman of Al-Khair Foundation, discuss Ali Banat’s inspirational journey from entrepreneur to providing aid in some of the poorest countries in Africa.
The emotional and uplifting story of how a successful young businessman with a fleet of cars, luxury home and an enviable lifestyle started selling his assets to establish the charity Muslims Around the World gripped the audience in Birmingham. The family-themed event, broadcast by Al-Khair’s IRAQ TV channel, was later repeated at the ExCel Centre, in London’s Docklands.
“People like Ali Banat are special as they are given the opportunity to realise the reality of life and help those less fortunate than themselves,” said Imam Qasim, who launched a report detailing how Al-Khair had funded £50 million worth of global humanitarian projects over the last three years.
The £50 Million Spent Across the World in 36 Months report highlights Al-Khair Foundation work during 2013-15 to transform the lives of millions around the world.
Ali Banat thanked Imam Qasim for his hospitality and told the audience that he formed his organisation after the diagnosis and how, what started as a personal project turned into a long term vision.
MATW aims to build a village which will be home to over 200 widows, a masjid for the local community and a school to house 600 orphans, along with a mini hospital/medical centre and local business support.
The 30-year-old former businessman from Sydney has described his cancer as a “gift” because it focused his efforts on helping people. “After someone tells you, or you find out that you are sick or haven’t got much time in this life, wealth is the last thing you want to chase and this is how we should be living our life every day,” he stated.
“I have been gifted by Allah with cancer throughout my body and I have changed my whole life to helping people. It is a gift because Allah has given me a chance and some time to change.”
Imam Qasim praised Ali Banat that at such a young age he has been able to achieve so much in terms of humanitarian efforts.
Al-Khair Foundation, which has its Headquarters in Croydon, has been committed to global charity since it was founded in 2003. It runs charitable projects in the UK and around the world tackling hunger, poverty and providing disaster relief.