Help Rebuild Destroyed Shree Rameshwar Mahadev Hindu Temple
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Hello everyone, thanks for visiting my GoFundMe! My name is Zeineddine Zuberi and I currently study at the United Nations International School in New York City. I have a passion for religious studies and my mission is to bring communities of different faiths together. I recently was a part of a short film where I helped restore the oldest Jewish Cemetery in Pakistan. The reception from that has been profound, and I'm honored that my documentary has won several film festival laurels around the globe.
Now I'm on to my next project but I request your help...
I'm asking for donations to restore a Hindu Temple I visited in Karachi, Pakistan this past December.
The view of the second floor of the Hindu Temple that was destroyed.
Why is this important? The History...
- There are 5 million Hindu's in Pakistan who constitute just over 2% of the population.
- Pre the Indian Partition of 1947 by the British – Hindus constituted over 20% of the area that comprises modern day Pakistan and during partition many Hindus migrated to modern day India where they constituted the majority of the population, and conversely many Muslims migrated from modern day India to Pakistan.
- In both India and Pakistan places of worship used by minorities have been occasionally targeted by mobs. In Pakistan, the Shree Rameshwar Mahadev Temple in Karachi was attacked by a mob in 1992 in retaliation for the destruction of a Mosque in India called the Babri Mosque). You can learn more about that click here
Now that you know the history, please watch this video to take a Tour of the Hindu Temple to see what needs fixed. The upgrades will help over 200 Hindu families in the area to have a place of worship that they can feel safe and comfortable at.
More details on the Temple itself...
The name of it is Shree Rameshwar Mahadev Temple and its in an area of Karachi called Arambagh.
The Temple was founded in 1920. However, it was destroyed by a mob in 1992.
The local government kindly funded this Hindu Temple recently but the budget could only rehab the ground and 1st floor (as you'll see in the video).
The Key Objectives and Goals
- Complete the reconstruction of the 2nd floor
- Placing a kitchen and dining area inside. Most Hindu Temples have a kitchen to feed the families after prayer.
Can you imagine a mosque without having a space to Wudu? Or a Catholic church where there isn't a place for Confession? This is why it's important for every Hindu Temple to have a peaceful place to practice Prasada (learn more about that by clicking here)
How long project take?
We are aiming for this reconstruction of the second floor to be 4 months long, with a target of being completed by September 30th, 2024.
See here for a detailed list of everything that will be fixed during the second floor renovation.
But we really need everyone's help to donate any amount you can! This GoFundMe goes directly into the budget of the quote we received by the Architect while visiting the Temple.
The Architect assessing the second floor renovation.
Initial blueprint drawings of where kitchen and other amenities will be positioned.
We will provide updates to this page to show our progress on this humanitarian project!
I will be working with members of the local Hindu community to help restore the second floor and personally monitoring and directing the contractors.
We appreciate everyone's support and please share with your friends and family to help spread the word of unity and peace:)
Organizer and beneficiary
Zeineddine Zuberi
Organizer
New York, NY
Fatima Zuberi
Beneficiary