FIMA Year Book 2010-2011 - Federation of Islamic Medical ...

Humanitarian Relief
and would be awarded abundantly on the Day of
Judgment.
If we work in the field of relief with the concept
and belief as enjoined by our Islamic faith, this
undertaking will confer upon us returns which are
sublime and eternal.
We will be doing relief activities for the sake of
our own relief, relief on the day of judgment and
the divine promise of Jannah (paradise) in the
hereafter.
This concept guides us to embrace the Holy
Paradigm of Relief and distance ourselves from
seeking the worldly rewards of relief activities
which are meagre, uncertain and short term. Even
the noblest worldly concept of service to humanity
will only last till one’s final breath, whereas this
Holy Concept will guide us through this temporal
life and extends eternally into the world hereafter.
With this holy paradigm of relief embedded in our
hearts, we will be motivated to work in every
relief area for the sake of attaining the pleasure of
Allah. Only the pleasure of Allah has guaranteed
satisfaction for this life and the life Hereafter.
Organization and Excellence in Relief work:
Many individuals respond voluntarily often in a
reflex manner, without prior prior thought and
planning to various urgent situations. Examples
include a person rushing to save a drowning child
or attend to a bleeding casualty of a road traffic
accident.
The motives for such actions are often deeply
entrenched in the hearts and minds of certain
individuals as a manifestation of their noble
ethical, religious or social principles. The
volunteer expects no material returns, and may on
the contrary inadvertently incur injuries or
material loss.
The other category of voluntary actions are those
which are undertaken following prior
contemplation and careful planning. Examples of
these include individuals and groups working in
the areas of human rights, combating poverty and
disease, increasing access to education and those
highlighting environmental issues.
A group approach to relief work would
considerably expand the scope of humanitarian
relief, outreaching a wider target population,
enhance effectiveness and productivity and also
ensure sustenability and longevity of the relief
activities.
Organized volunteerism has to be performed by
qualified people, using up-to-date scientific tools,
innovations and experiences in specific aspects of
voluntary relief work.
Professionalism in conducting relief is an
application of quality and excellence (Ihsan) in
this vital function. Ihsan is the highest rank of
good deeds.
Volunteers ought to receive appropriate training in
the specific field of work they plan to get involved
in.
Proper planning and organization in voluntary
relief work is mandatory in order to achieve best
outcomes and impact.
This includes close follow up, proper evaluation
and re-evaluation to avoid or remedy pitfalls and
deficiencies in performance. Regular reports
meetings, seminars and conferences to discuss and
analyze various aspects of achievements of
endpoints, deficiencies or handicaps are
cornerstones in improving performance, continuity
and building a culture of excellence.
Appropriate selection of the type and line of relief
work is crucial for the volunteer’s productivity,
performance satisfactions, continuity and the
nurturing of leadership skills.
FIMA YearBook 2010-2011
5