None will have escaped the distressing images of the devastation and havoc wreaked by the disastrous floods in Pakistan, that have bombarded our screens the past few days. Many scenes have been too painful to watch.How must it be, then, for those caught right in the midst of this natural calamity!They have no way to escape and nowhere to go. How frightening and soul-destroying!The danger is still live.

One is powerfully reminded of scenes of the awful earthquake last year which claimed millions of lives in Pakistan, rendering equal numbers destitute and homeless, similarly, just before the Holy month of Ramadan.It is as if lightning has struck twice!

Our hearts go out to the people of Pakistan, in this their darkest hour of need. We pray for and offer deepest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones and all their worldly possessions.It is impossible to imagine the extent of their suffering.

However,paying lip sympathy is pointless.We must demonstrate our genuine feelings of compassion for suffering humanity, by taking action locally, right here and now, in Harrow.This must be very focussed,well organised and carefully monitored, to ensure that the aid reaches those it is meant for.

Harrow prides itself on being the religiously most diverse borough in the UK. We must all pool our efforts--Hindus,Muslims,Christians,Sikhs,Jains,Buddhists,Jews,Bahaais,Zoroastrians,Humanists, in short, anyone belonging to the Human Race---as ONE united body.We need to focuss our efforts,fund-raise,galvanise support for the Flood Relief and give as generously as we can.We CAN and WILL do it.

Our humane and pragmatic actions will be living proof to our Muslim brethren that all Harrovians share in their suffering and are standing by them,during this calamitous hour.Many of our local Muslims have families and friends back home, hugely affected by these floods.Some Harrovians are there for their summer holidays and are trapped.

This caring and sharing in each others' tragedy is the glue that helps keep our diverse communities close together and weaves invisible bonds, making us a much stronger, indivisible and more cohesive community---the COMMUNITY OF HARROW.

Harrow has always risen to the challenge and has spontaneously shown its love of all humanity.It has traditionally opened its heart to those ravaged by tragedies such as this one.We have not forgotten how magnificently Harrovians responded to the Tsunami.

Will those who have the power to organise and arrange a LOCAL Pakistan Flood Relief Emergency Fund and Collection Point, please step up quickly and get the ball rolling!Let's make sure HARROVIANS don't lag behind.