This year several individuals, couples and families will be embarking on the spiritual journey of walking from Najaf to Karbala to commemorate Arba’een. These people from different parts of the world will unite to complete an 80km walk through war-torn Iraq from the holy city of Najaf to the land of Karbala. They shall walk for three days during the daytime with the scorching desert sun bearing down upon them and they will rest in the evenings in makeshift tents, when the blistering cold takes over as temperatures rapidly plummet.
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14 December 2025 / 23. Jamaad-Ul-Akhar 1447
Philippines Typhoon Haiyan: Aid yet to reach thousands in need
On Friday 8 November 2013, one of the most powerful storms on record struck the coast provinces of Leyte and Samar in the Philippines. The typhoon headed west, sweeping through six central Philippine islands while carrying winds of up to 235km/h with gusts of 275km/h and waves as high as 15m. Initial reports indicated that as many as 10,000 people may have died.
Photo: courtesy of The Guardian
Now, more than a week after the typhoon hit, aid agencies report that 3,631 people have died with UN figures suggesting an even higher figure of 4,460. The death toll is expected to increase as aid teams reach the affected areas.
Further reports indicate that more than 9 million people have been affected, including over 1.8 million who have been displaced. The town of Guiuan in the Samar province which has a population 40,000 is said to be largely destroyed. The town of Tacloban in Leyte province was largely flattened .
Photo: courtesy of Avax News
To assist with rescue and relief, international aircrafts, ships and personnel have arrived in the Philippines. Although efforts to provide aid are underway, the process is slow and is being hampered largely by roads that have been destroyed and communications lines that are down.
The Government has also identified that one of the most urgent areas of relief efforts is removing the debris so that workers can find survivors and bodies trapped under the rubble. Hundreds of bodies lie among the debris and roadside and are rotting with no one to bury them as people walk by covering their faces to avoid the stench.
Photo courtesy of The Mirror
PHILIPPINES TYPHOON HAIYAN RELIEF FUND
A global fund has been set up by The World Federation to help the victims of those who have been affected by this disaster. The monies raised will be used to help with the relief operations and providing aid. Victims in the Philippines are still in great need of assistance. Please donate today.
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