“On one hand, I grew up in a very supportive family,” he says. “Due to persecution of my religion, I had to flee Pakistan in 2000 and migrated to Australia as a refugee.”
Source/Credit: The Advertiser
By Katie Spain | August 16, 2014
Ferhaj Sheikh was born in Pakistan to an Ahmadiyya Muslim family. Sheikh, 36, has mixed emotions about his childhood.
“On one hand, I grew up in a very supportive family,” he says. “Due to persecution of my religion, I had to flee Pakistan in 2000 and migrated to Australia as a refugee.”
TOTAL DRIVE
These days, he lives in Daw Park with his wife and two daughters. Spare time is not something he has a lot of. When he’s not earning a crust as a taxi driver, he can usually be found volunteering for a local council as a driver. “I provide free transport for the elderly to hospitals, shopping malls and banks in my own car,” he says.
ROLE MODEL
Sheikh is the head of the northern youth branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community which has 500 members of varying ages. “My role is to organise events for our youth to keep them on the right track and become productive citizens of Australia.”
BELLY WARMERS
As part of their role in the community the group of young men volunteer every Wednesday night at The Salvation Army on Pirie St, providing free food to the homeless and assisting with dish washing and cleaning. For the past two years they’ve also provided food on a fortnightly basis to the Whitmore Square Homeless Shelter.
HUMANITY FIRST
As a special treat for staff at the Salvation Army, Sheikh and his mates have organised a “Thank You Dinner”. On August 23 they will prepare a five-course Indian meal for volunteers and their families. “It is to thank all the volunteers and their families for sacrificing their time and working side by side with our organisation for the common good of helping the poor and needy.”
NO RUBBISH
The group also raises funds for charities such as Red Cross and Novita Children’s Services through doorknock appeals and sporting events. “Almost a hundred bags of blood have been donated to the Red Cross Blood Service in the past 18 months to save the lives of almost 300 Australians. We are also regular participants in Clean Up Australia Day and work closely with KESAB to ensure our roads and surrounding neighbourhoods remain clean and healthy.”
LOVE FOR ALL
The group’s motto is simple; Love for all, hatred for none. “Our aim is to propagate the true message of Islam, the message the Prophet Muhammad taught us — ‘Love of one’s country is a part of faith’. We are peace-loving Australian-Muslims and we believe doing charity work is the most effective manner of showing our love for Australia.”
COMMON GROUND
“We feel that Australia has given us a new life and we feel obliged to give back to the community in any way, shape or form. These charitable activities are not limited to Australia. To commemorate the anniversary of the Boston bombings and commemorate 9/11, our community in the USA donates bags of blood to show that true Muslims give blood, not take it.”
HOME RUNS
When he’s not donating time and blood, there’s a fair chance you’ll find Sheikh on the indoor cricket pitch. “I play every Tuesday with Australian friends.”
Read original post here: Australia: Introducing - Ferhaj Sheikh Muslim leader
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