Robert McClure United Church Refugee Sponsorship, a Plea for Help
The Robert McClure United Church Refugee Sponsorship Group has the joy of welcoming a refugee family from Pakistan to Canada. Naeem and Fozia Aslam and they have 3 children Anika Naeem 11, Micayel Naeem 8, and Anayil Naeem 4.
As sponsors we are solely responsible for their welfare once they are in Canada, including finding a home, employment, schools, medical and dental assistance and other needs. We need your help!
Our financial target is $27,000 and we are sharing this financial goal with Scarboro United Church who have generously committed to $13, 000.00. Robert McClure needs your help in raising the remaining $14,000.00. We are asking for your financial help and your connections. Please make a monthly or one-time donation to the Refugee Sponsorship Fund. You can make your donation here, through this website, mail or drop off in person to: Robert McClure United Church at 5510 26 Ave NE, Calgary AB, T1Y 6S1. Please put “Refugee Sponsorship” in the memo space. Then, send this link to your family and friends, give them an opportunity to be part of saving the lives of this family.
Charitable Income tax receipts will be issued automatically for donations of over $20, and for less if requested.
Want to know more about the family?
Naeem is a Christian evangelist and in July, 2013 Naeem and brother-in-law Adnan Adwar (Fozia’s brother) were approached by Imran who was very sick and needed healing prayers. Imran, his mother and his uncle were Muslims; Naeem and Adnan believed the uncle studied black magic and had Imran wear many talismans (objects of magic) so Naeem asked that Imran remove the them. After they prayed for Imran, he started to feel better and he and his mother continued seeing them for prayers. However, Imran’s uncle did not like this and in October 2013, he and his group entered Naeem’s house and demanded they stop working with Imran. Because of their strong Christian believes they refused resulting in the beating of Naeem, Adnan and their families. Imran continued visiting the Christians for prayers, converted to Christianity and revealed this to his family, enraging his uncle. Again, Naeem and Adnan were approached by the uncle and again they were beaten. When they went to the police, they received no assistance because of the wealth and influence of the uncle. The threats continued, so they went to their pastor who told them about the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) who helped them obtain visas and tickets to Bangkok, where the family has been ever since. Even in Bangkok the family is under threat of arrest, incarceration and possible deportation back to Pakistan, where there is a high probability of persecution and even death.
Please be part of saving this family from persecution and donate to the Refugee Sponsorship Fund.
Thank you for your help in bringing the Aslam family to Calgary.
Sincerely,
Kelly Osgood (Minister), Heather Templeton, Amanda Hafeli Thompson and the refugee committee.
