‘Own a brick’ for a community hospital

dubai — The Pakistani community in the UAE under the umbrella of Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) came together on Friday evening to welcome renowned artist Anwar Maqsood, the ambassador of Pakistan Centre, a humanitarian project in the UAE.

“The hallmark of this project is the not-for-profit healthcare facility which will be open to all nationalities and be a pride for the community,” said Dr Faisel Ikram, president of PAD.

Maqsood gave the project a boost encouraging people to own bricks for the centre through the ‘own a brick’ initiative wherein every person gets an opportunity to engrave their names for the community cause. The Dh12 million project is divided into 12,000 bricks with each brick costing Dh1,000. All the new brick owners were welcomed to the PAD family during the occasion.

Maqsood enthralled the audience at the event with his tonguein-cheek comedy shedding light on how the project will be written in golden words in history. “I feel humbled to be declared as an ambassador and want each and every individual of the community to participate in the noble cause,” said Maqsood while doing his satire and comedy.

The artist was also joined on stage by his wife Imrana Maqsood

I feel humbled to be declared as an ambassador and want each and every individual of the community to take part in the noble cause.” Anwar Maqsood, renowned artist

who read memorable transcripts from her recently launched book.

The audience at Pakistan Auditorium gave a standing ovation to the legendary scriptwriter who despite his ill health travelled just for the cause of Pakistan Centre. “I pray that this project will be completed soon and upon my next visit I wish to see it inaugurated,” said Maqsood.

“We are lucky to have such a phenomenal artist become a part of our cause. We also thank the Community Development Authority (CDA) who have helped us in our endeavour,” said Tahir Zaidi, general-secretary of PAD.

Last year, Anwar Maqsood joined the cause of Pakistan Centre and pledged to donate his paintings for the cause of centre.

Pakistan Centre, which includes a medical centre, a health and fitness centre, a restaurant, ladies and gents’ mosque, seminar rooms and offices, was launched on August 14 last year. Once completed, Pakistan Centre will be the world’s largest community centre for overseas Pakistanis.