Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan – it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward.
And those who have believed in Allah and His messengers – those are [in the ranks of] the supporters of truth and the martyrs, with their Lord. For them is their reward and their light. But those who have disbelieved and denied Our verses – those are the companions of Hellfire.
Allah make us more charitable then we were in the past, to attain the noble reward in hereafter, ameen.
It’s almost 2012, a new year with insha Allah a lot of joy and happiness. We had planned to start with Shamma Ghar in the beginning of 2012. Unfortunately we haven’t completed our budget, but we have faith in Allah. Insha Allah we will keep trying.
We need donors / sponsors. If you know people who can help us, please let them know about us and bring us together. May Allah reward all of us for our good intentions.
Youm-e Wiladat of Allama Muhammed Iqbal 9th of november is a holiday in Pakistan.
Sir Muhammad Iqbal (Urdu: محمد اقبال) (November 9, 1877 – April 21, 1938) was a Muslim poet and philosopher born in Sialkot, British India (now in Pakistan), whose poetry in Urdu and Persian is considered to be among the greatest of the modern era.[1] He is commonly referred to as Allama Iqbal (علامہ اقبال, Allama lit. Scholar).
After studying in England and Germany, Iqbal established a law practice, but concentrated primarily on writing scholarly works on politics, economics, history, philosophy and religion. He is best known for his poetic works, including Asrar-e-Khudi—which brought a knighthood— Rumuz-e-Bekhudi, and the Bang-e-Dara, with its enduring patriotic song Tarana-e-Hind. In Afghanistan and Iran, where he is known as Iqbāl-e Lāhorī (اقبال لاهوری Iqbal of Lahore), he is highly regarded for his Persian works.
Iqbal was a strong proponent of the political and spiritual revival of Islamic civilization across the world, but specifically in India; a series of famous lectures he delivered to this effect were published as The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam. One of the most prominent leaders of the All-India Muslim League, Iqbal encouraged the creation of a “state in northwestern India for Indian Muslims” in his 1930 presidential address.[2] Iqbal encouraged and worked closely with Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and he is known as Muffakir-e-Pakistan (“The Thinker of Pakistan”), Shair-e-Mashriq (“The Poet of the East”), and Hakeem-ul-Ummat (“The Sage of the Ummah”). He is officially recognised as the “national poet” in Pakistan. The anniversary of his birth (یوم ولادت محمد اقبال – Youm-e Wiladat-e Muḥammad Iqbāl) on November 9th is a holiday in Pakistan.
[The name of our NGO is also inspired by the work of Iqbal. He is source of great inpiration for us]
For those who don’t speak Urdu, the following is an English summary:
Fighting Hunger with Dignity: The Story of 3 Rupee Khana
Every so often, a single news story alters the course of a life. For Parveen Saeed, it was the haunting report of a mother who, driven by relentless poverty and hunger, took the lives of her own children. This tragedy wasn’t just another headline for Parveen—it became a personal turning point. Rather than let it slip away like so many heartbreaking stories, she transformed her grief and disbelief into action.
From her modest kitchen in a middle-class neighborhood in Karachi, she began preparing meals—not for a few, but for many. When dinner for five became dinner for ten, her family wondered how much difference it would make. But Parveen had already realized that to truly serve those in need, she needed to walk beside them. So she relocated to Khuda Ki Basti, one of Karachi’s poorest communities, and opened the first branch of what would become Khana Ghar—a kitchen for the hungry.
A Symbolic Price, A Powerful Philosophy
At Khana Ghar, a full, nutritious meal—typically roti and salan—is served for just 3 rupees. It’s not free. And that’s intentional.
Parveen believes in preserving human dignity. Free food, she learned, can sometimes lead to waste or dependence. But a nominal cost, no matter how small, gives people ownership. It affirms that they are not beggars—they are customers. When someone pays—even 3 rupees—they value the meal differently. And that subtle shift can ignite a sense of worth and motivation, nudging someone toward employment, self-respect, or simply the courage to move forward.
As inflation in Pakistan spiraled and the cost of living rose by over 200%, many expected Khana Ghar to increase its prices. But Parveen stood firm: “Our mission isn’t just about food. It’s about trust, empowerment, and community. We’ll find another way.” And she did.
Feeding Thousands, Fueled by Trust
From family donations to old classmates, Parveen’s journey began with small, personal contributions. Then came the media coverage—and with it, a wave of trust. Strangers began offering sacks of flour, bags of lentils, and crates of vegetables. Supporters knew she meant what she said, and she did what she promised. That trust became the currency that sustained and expanded Khana Ghar.
Today, multiple Khana Ghar kitchens and food pickup points operate across Karachi, feeding thousands of people daily. And yet, Parveen insists: this is just the beginning.
Even now, women wait outside Khana Ghar not for handouts, but for hope. They speak in whispers of days with no money for flour, of children who haven’t eaten. No one is turned away. If someone can’t afford the 3 rupees, the staff quietly ensures they still receive a warm meal. There’s no shame here—only kindness.
The Hunger That Truly Matters
Parveen knows that hunger isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, societal, and spiritual. She reminds us that the real solution to poverty isn’t charity alone, but a collective shift in thinking.
“Even a handful of flour,” she says, “can be a lifeline, if it’s shared.”
Her journey is proof that you don’t need wealth or a grand plan to change lives. You need conviction. You need courage. And you need compassion.
At Khana Ghar, that’s what’s on the menu—served daily, with love.
Allama Muhammed Iqbal earned his doctorate at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, in philosophy. Germans have paid tribute to him by naming a road “Iqbal-Ufer” in Heidelberg, after him.
“Karachi: After the rain, a woman affected by LBOD fainted during the protest. Iron grills caused a sensation. Bread, clothing, and shelter.”
This message appears to highlight a moment from a protest in Karachi, emphasizing both the vulnerability of the affected woman and broader demands for basic human rights like food, clothing, and housing.
