The Award recognises and honours individuals and organisations in Asia, regardless of race, creed, gender, or nationality, who have achieved distinction and have helped others generously without aiming for public recognition.

The award has been given to over three hundred personalities and organisations in the past five decades. The trustees of the foundation annually select the awardees who are then presented with a certificate and a medal with an image of Ramon Magsaysay. The award is regarded as the Asian version of the Nobel Prize.

This award is Asia’s premier prize and highest honour and is presented to outstanding individuals in Asia for their selfless contribution to their societies. Previous receipients of this award include Abdul Sattar and Bilquis Edhi, Mother Teresa, Dalai Lama and Novel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

In 2021 Dr. Amjad Saqib, Chairman Akhuwat, has been bestowed this award.

In electing Muhammad Amjad Saqib to receive the 2021 Ramon Magsaysay Award by recognizing the intelligence and compassion that enabled him to create the largest microfinance institution in Pakistan; his inspiring belief that human goodness and solidarity will find ways to eradicate poverty; and his determination to stay with a mission that has already helped millions of Pakistani families.
Akhuwat is the largest microfinance institution in Pakistan, offering a package of loans for the poor. It has distributed 4.8 million interest-free loans amounting to the equivalent of USD 900 million, helping three million families, with a remarkable 99.9% loan repayment rate.

It’s phenomenal growth has fueled Akhuwat’s social support programs in fields like education, where, in partnerships with government and others, Akhuwat has “adopted” hundreds of neglected and non-functioning public schools and established four residential colleges (one of them for women), and soon a university, for poor and deserving students. Akhuwat runs a health services program, helping hundreds of thousands of patients; a “clothes bank” that has distributed more than three million clothes for the needy; and a program of economic, health, and psycho-social services for the discriminated khwaja sira (transgender) community. In the Covid-19 pandemic, Akhuwat responded with emergency loans and grants, food relief, and other assistance in over a hundred cities in Pakistan.

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The Akhuwat Fellowship Program seeks to build and cultivate a community of changemakers, creative entrepreneurs and moral leaders committed to making a difference. It will serve as a platform enabling people and organizations to unlock their potential to drive social change. Through virtual trainings and sessions, the Fellowship will equip them with the courage to think differently, the passion to translate their ideas into action and the values to make a meaningful impact.

Apply online;
Link for Application Form: https://forms.gle/YWFrTMRsx1CwSr1o6

Program Dates:
Cohort #1: From 4th – 28th July, 2022
Cohort #2: From 1st – 29th August, 2022
Deadline to Apply: 31st May 2022
Queries: info@parwaaz.com.pk

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Sufi music and poetry remains deeply relevant and loved by many, regardless of colour, caste, or creed. For thousands of years, Sufi teachings have centred around love for a higher power, and compassion for one another. These teachings have stood the test of time, transcended generational boundaries.

The devotional music of the Sufis is inspired by the poetry and teachings of renowned Sufi poets and scholars, such as Rumi, Baba Bulleh Shah, and many more. Sufi music has struck a chord in the hearts of many, acting to unite humanity in spite of their differences, across the world.

Akhuwat’s Sufi Program was a live online webinar and virtual concert hosted by Hina Abidi and Azhar Hameed as part of an effort to raise money for the Akhuwat Corona Imdadi Fund. The program was open to listeners of Sufi music anywhere in the world, featuring nine acclaimed Pakistani vocal artists from across several musical genres, including Ali Zafar, Shafqat Ali Khan, Ali Sethi, Haroon Rashid, and Rafaqat Ali Khan.

Despite these artists’ differing musical styles, each came together in an effort to pledge their support to raise consciousness regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan. Using Sufi and Patriotic music to spread a universal message of love, hope, unity, and faith in humanity, the artists synergised for a cause larger than themselves; brotherhood with the needy and deserving.

Performing songs such as Aaqa, and Dil Se Pakistan, for hundreds of virtual attendees, the program was an astounding success, and the program was able to raise substantial donations for the Corona Imdadi Fund. Each webinar Akhuwat has held has acted to target a different audience, each time in the hope of reaching a new group of people who will embrace the spirit of solidarity, and take it upon themselves to practice this philosophy in their daily lives; bringing us all closer to Akhuwat’s vision of a poverty-free society built upon the principles of compassion, and equality.

To watch Akhuwat’s Sufi Program, please visit this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txHz95jowjc

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The Vatican News, is a digital news and information platform providing updates on the activities of the Pope, the Vatican, local Churches, and inspiring news from around the world. Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance (AIM) was recently fortunate enough to be the subject of an article, published online in the world news section of the Vatican News website. Written by Robin Gomes, the article details Akhuwat’s humble beginnings, journey of hope, and mission to create a poverty-free society built upon the principles of compassion and equity.

It is truly a great honour for Akhuwat to be recognised for its work by the Vatican, as well as the Pope himself. As global head of the Catholic Church, and sovereign of Vatican City, Akhuwat is humbled to have been acknowledged for its poverty-alleviation efforts in Pakistan by such an esteemed global figure, and hopes to continue to inspire many across the world with its story.

Akhuwat’s core values dictate that in order to truly alleviate poverty, all segments of society must be uplifted; the marginalised, the impoverished, the downtrodden, and the minorities. To this end, Akhuwat, and Akhuwat Interest-free Microfinance (AIM) has worked tirelessly to improve the livelihoods of each and every community in Pakistan, no matter their colour, caste, or creed.

Akhuwat would like to thank the Vatican News for their kind words, and even kinder actions, by choosing to feature Akhuwat in their recent article.

You can read the article here: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2020-05/pakistan-akhuwat-micro-finance-interest-free-lender-saqib0.html

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In these trying times, when left entirely to our own devices, it is easy to lose perspective and forget the plight of those around us. In times of crisis, such as those brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, a nation faces many challenges at both the micro and macro level. Whilst most public discourse has addressed challenges that exist at the macro level and the impact that will be felt by the collective; challenges faced at the individual level remain relatively unaddressed.

With the social distancing protocol still underway, many of us are staying away from our loved ones, friends, and family. What is crucial to remember, however, is that being physically distant does not necessarily mean we must be socially distant. In 2020, we have the ability to stay connected to each other through social media, and other internet-enabled digital platforms at the touch of a button.

The invaluable strength and support that we can gain from each other in such times of need knows no bounds. This is precisely what Akhuwat acknowledges and seeks to emphasise with its series of free ‘Hope-a-thon’ Webinars Akhuwat’s inaugural Hope-a-thon launched on the 2nd of May, 2020, connecting 14 esteemed thought leaders including Dr. Amjad Saqib, with thousands of virtual attendees via Facebook live. Each speaker delivered a brief talk on a diverse range of topics existing at the individual level—on conquering internal conflicts, on managing one’s responsibilities, and ultimately, on tackling the pandemic with the power of brotherhood. Attendees were encouraged to donate, and all proceeds went towards Akhuwat’s Corona Imdadi Fund.

To watch Akhuwat’s 1st Hope-a-Thon, please visit this link:

https://www.facebook.com/AkhuwatOfficial/videos/567434510859900/

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Almost two months on from the advent of COVID-19 in Pakistan, the virus’ swift and unrelenting course has left thousands in need of medical, financial, and social assistance. With the mandated nationwide lockdown still underway, Pakistanis have had little choice but to slowly come to terms with the fact that this may be the new ‘normal’.

Officials have predicted anywhere between 12.3 to 18.5 million people (Shaikh, 2020) will find themselves out of work as a consequence of the circumstances brought on by COVID-19. It comes of almost no surprise that those with the least job security will be disproportionately affected; our daily-wage earners, and blue-collar workers. These individuals often live in remote or underdeveloped areas, and with social distancing protocols in place; identifying, let alone providing assistance to these individuals, is no small task.

As a solution to this, Akhuwat has launched the ‘Dast-e-Mawakhat’ program that utilises the pre-existing social networks of its students. Students enrolled at Akhuwat Colleges in Kasur and Faisalabad, as well as smaller schools which come under Akhuwat Education Services, all cater to bright, dedicated students from underprivileged backgrounds. These students have come together under the Dast-e-Mawakhat program, a special leadership assignment launched in collaboration with Akhuwat College Kasur’s Community Service club.

Through using the social networks of Akhuwat’s students to identify and assist families in their own underdeveloped communities, it is hoped that students will be inculcated with Akhuwat’s core principle; solidarity and brotherhood with the nation’s most needy and deserving citizens. Not only ensuring that the neediest and deserving individuals of today will be cared for, but that the needy and deserving of tomorrow will be as well.

Akhuwat’s mission and vision for a poverty-free society cannot succeed unless a focus is placed upon the value of compassion. It is through compassion that Akhuwat has been able provide an education to these students, and it is through compassion that these same students will go forth to become the leaders of tomorrow, providing for their respective communities.

This program is very helpful for the poor, it brings my heart peace and satisfaction helping those most deserving.
—Student of Akhuwat College, Kasur.

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