Press Release - 4 September 2005

Double Celebration For Pakistan Independence and Bradford Charity

Adeeba Malik MBE( centre) deputy chief executive of QED at the event with Mohammed Ajeeb CBE, former Lord Mayor and Pakistan Consulate Ayaz Hussain(left) and Choudhry Munir and Nisar Raja JP (right) of Pakisan Community Centre

Celebrations of Pakistan's 58th Independence Day were combined with recognition of fifteen years of pioneering work by Bradford charity QED-UK on Sunday (September 4th).

The joint festivities were attended by members of the Pakistani Community, who heard about the organisation's campaign to reduce the disproportionately high levels of poverty and disadvantage faced by Britain's South Asian communities. QED-UK employs a unique approach by acting as a catalyst and facilitator of change through working with the private, public and mainstream community and voluntary sectors.

In the last fifteen years, it has gone from strength to strength, and has reached the finals of the Charity of the Year awards, where chief executive and founder Dr Mohammed Ali OBE has won the principal and personality sections. He has also been recognised by the award of an honorary degree from Bradford University and the Professor Charles Handy Alchemist Award.

'We are delighted to have been recognised by the British Pakistani community for our efforts to improve its educational, employment and business prospects,' said Dr Mohammed Ali. 'Many organisations use QED as a benchmark and I am glad to see our best practices rolled out in many parts of the country.'

The celebrations were held at the Pakistan Community Centre, which has been providing a range of services in the heart of the city since 1984. These have included an innovative home study scheme, which enabled bright children from disadvantaged backgrounds to receive home tuition. The centre also has an ICT suite, offers language classes and provides accommodation for a Sure Start project.

For further information, please contact Dr Mohammed Ali OBE on (01274) 483267 or (07812) 010918