Latest news with #JavedHussain
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
What can I expect at Luton's two Eid festivals?
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend two community Eid al-Adha festival and prayer events in Luton. The special celebrations for Muslims will take place at Stockwood Park on Friday and Saturday and Wardown Park from Friday to Sunday. Due to the growth in their popularity, Luton Borough Council said it was putting traffic control measures in place. Here is a guide to the colourful, family-friendly events. What are the timings? There are two events: the Inspire Eid event at Stockwood Park takes place from 13:00-21:00 BST on Friday and Saturday. The 1Eid event at Wardown Park will start with Eid prayers for men and women at the cricket pitch at 10:00 on will then continue on Friday from 12:00-21:30 with fireworks on Popes Meadow. On Saturday and Sunday events start at 13:00 and continues until 21:30. Which roads are impacted? Javed Hussain, a Labour councillor and the deputy leader of Luton Borough Council, said: "Whilst it's great that communities are coming together to celebrate on such a special occasion, the increasing popularity of these events are putting increasing strain on local infrastructure and the road network."We understand the frustrations of residents which is why we are stepping in to put in place measures to mitigate disruptions and ensure safety for those living near to the events and those attending. "For those not attending we strongly advise they avoid the areas of the two festivals during the weekend."For Stockwood Park there will be no waiting or loading restrictions in place during parts of the day and evenings for Friday and Saturday and signed diversions will be in place. The roads impacted are: Farley Hill RoadLondon RoadCutenhoe RoadWhipperley WayNewlands RoadThere will also be a closure in place on Whitehill Avenue, except for residents. For Wardown Park, the same applies, from Friday to Sunday with restrictions on the follow roads: Old Bedford RoadNew Bedford RoadSections of connecting roads - Cromwell Hill, Stockingstone Road and Montrose Avenue What can you expect at the event? Inspire FM, which is behind the Stockwood Park event, said there will be a free outdoor cinema running throughout the day inside the Discovery Centre, offering family friendly films. As tens of thousands attended last year's event, it was expecting the same number this year. There will also be rides, foods from around the world, a "bustling bazaar, and fun games and activities for the whole family". The organisation has partnered with Luton Foodbank, to provide free ride tokens to families who need them, it added. For the event at Wardown Park there will be funfair rides, an urban beach, donkey rides, circus performers with fire juggles, a bazaar and fireworks. Where should you park? At the Stockwood Park event parking is free at the top of the park near Farley Farm Road. The usual entrance to Stockwood Park will be exit only, and there will be no access via London Road, organisers said. At Wardown Park, pre-booked payable VIP parking is available at Popes Meadow. Organisers said there was "absolutely no parking on roads or pavements". The council said anyone attending "should consider using public transport or car share". "Event-goers must park considerately and safely, or they will receive a fine or have their car removed," it added. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- General
- Business Recorder
SCF launches District Disaster Response Network
HYDERABAD: In a proactive move to strengthen community resilience against climate-related emergencies, the Sindh Community Foundation (SCF), with support from Pathfinder International, successfully trained 102 young people, aged 18 to 29, from 10 villages across Thatta, including coastal areas, in first aid and emergency response skills. The initiative was conducted under SCF's ongoing SURMI Project, which focuses on climate resilience and youth empowerment. Over the course of four three-day workshops, participants received hands-on training in CPR, bleeding control, burn management, electric shock response, and fire safety, alongside in-depth sessions on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation, and interpreting early warning systems. 'Communities are always the first responders during disasters,' emphasized Javed Hussain, Executive Director of SCF, during the closing ceremony. 'Training youth equips villages with immediate support mechanisms while creating a bridge with institutions like the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to enhance coordinated response and reduce risk.' Retired Commander Naeem Yousuf, the lead trainer, conducted rigorous drills and simulations, preparing the youth to respond effectively during climate-induced crises such as floods, cyclones, and heat waves now more frequent and intense in Thatta due to climate change. Senior district officials including Additional Deputy Commissioner-I Ghulam Dastgeer, Assistant Commissioner Shakir Faheem, and Dr. Rahena from the District Health Department praised the initiative. They emphasized the growing urgency for community-based disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions like Thatta. Humera Ali, SCF's Project Manager, and MB Khaskheli, Cluster Coordinator from Pathfinder International, appreciated the participants' commitment and energy. They highlighted the transformative potential of engaging youth in localized climate action and emergency response. The culmination of the fourth training batch marked a significant milestone: the formation of the Youth Network for Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response. The network consists of 29 trained young leaders—both male and female—who will now take on formal roles as community-based first responders, emergency educators, and local coordinators for DRR activities across Thatta. This youth-led network is designed to engage young people in awareness, preparedness, and response actions for disasters and climate emergencies, while fostering stronger linkages between local communities and government disaster management systems. It represents a model for climate-adaptive, community-driven resilience—one that places youth at the forefront of building a safer, more prepared Thatta. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
26-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Women agri workers to launch climate literacy campaign
HYDERABAD: In a major step toward advancing climate justice and labour rights, women agricultural workers and leaders from women-led cotton workers' trade unions in Matiari district have united to launch a district-wide climate literacy campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness among women workers and growers about the rising risks of climate change and the urgent need for safer, more dignified working conditions. The initiative emerged from a two-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on Climate Change and Health Literacy, organized by the Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) in collaboration with the Commonwealth Foundation, held in Matiari. The workshop brought together 42 women from 21 villages, equipping them with essential knowledge and practical skills to become climate campaigners. The training focused on addressing the impacts of climate change on health, livelihoods, and productivity, empowering these women to lead awareness and action in their communities. The training was inaugurated by Javed Hussain, Executive Director of SCF, who stressed that 'Climate change is not only an environmental crisis but a gender and justice issue. Women agricultural workers are on the frontlines of this crisis, and they must be at center of its solutions.' In two days training participants explored fundamentals of climate change and its specific impacts on women in agriculture. Javed Hussain opened the technical sessions, followed by Dr. Hira Arain, who addressed the effects of rising temperatures on livestock and rural livelihoods. Zubaida Turk spoke on climate-linked working conditions, while Dr. Bakhtwar focused on the health consequences of heat stress, including low blood pressure, heatstroke, and reduced productivity. She also highlighted that extreme heat is contributing to menstrual irregularities, uterine health issues, dehydration, mental health challenges, and even increased breast cancer risks all of which impact women's long-term wellbeing and ability to work. Learned how to stay safe during heatwaves, engage effectively with local communities, and conduct awareness sessions. By the end of the workshop, the women had developed a collective action plan to roll out localized climate awareness activities. Afroz, a cotton worker leader from one of the villages Long Khan Jiskanai, shared, 'We now understand how climate change is harming both our health and our livelihoods. If we don't act now, the situation will only worsen.' She urged growers to increase vegetation cover in the fields to provide shade and protect workers during cotton picking in the scorching heat. Workers also emphasized the urgent need to set a minimum wage for cotton picking. 'Without fair wages, and better working conditions' they said, 'it becomes a serious violation of our labour rights, especially as climate conditions make our work even harder.' With renewed confidence, all 42 women will now serve as local climate campaigners in Matiari. Launching a Climate Literacy Week, they aim to reach over 1,000 women cotton workers, advocate for eco-friendly shade structures, and demand stronger occupational health protections marking the beginning of a women-led climate resilience movement in rural Sindh. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
02-05-2025
- Climate
- Business Recorder
Int'l Labour Day: SCF organises series of community awareness sessions
HYDERABAD: On International Labour Day, the Sindh Community Foundation (SCF), in collaboration with the Commonwealth Foundation, organized a series of community awareness sessions in Ibraheem Khaskheli and Meho Machi villages in district Matiari. The sessions aimed to address the decent working conditions and the impact of climate change on women cotton workers, with over 70 women actively participating. During the sessions, Javed Hussain, Head of SCF, underscored the compounded challenges these women face due to labor rights violations and the increasing vulnerability to climate change. He pointed out that despite being the backbone of the textile industry, women agricultural workers continue to suffer from a lack of basic climate safety measures. Rising temperatures in the region, which have reached 49°C, and more frequent heatwaves are making it difficult for workers to maintain productivity. With no shaded rest areas, insufficient water access, and the depletion of trees in cotton fields, the workers are forced to labour under extreme conditions, which jeopardize their health and earnings. Hawa Khaskheli, a leader from the Paras Trade Union of Women Cotton Workers in Ibraheem Khaskheli, and Zubaida Machi, a representative from the Sujagi Trade Union of Women Cotton Workers in Meho Machi, shared their struggles, saying that despite their critical role in cotton production, they continue to face exploitation in the form of low wages, lack of health compensation, and no protection from the rising temperatures. The women workers, along with SCF and the Paras Trade Union, demanded several urgent reforms, including the provision of shaded workspaces, clean drinking water, heat protection measures, and health compensation for workers during extreme heat. They also called for orientation for growers to increase awareness about climate safety and labour rights, and for social protection systems to ensure that these workers are financially supported during climate-related disruptions. Hira Arain, SCF Manager, emphasized that the sessions were part of an effort to build awareness around climate adaptation and labour rights protection, and urged the Sindh government to take immediate action to bridge the income gap and protect the livelihoods of these women. SCF continues to call on the Sindh government, Labour Department, implement comprehensive measures to safeguard the health, safety, and livelihoods of the women who are at the frontline of the climate crisis and the cotton industry. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
2 people killed when militants ambush trucks with aid for northwestern Pakistan
KURRAM, Pakistan (AP) — Militants in northwestern Pakistan killed a driver and a security official Monday when they ambushed a convoy of trucks carrying food, medicine and other supplies for thousands of residents trapped by sectarian violence, authorities said. It was the third such assault since January in Kurram, a district in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where at least 130 people have died in recent months in clashes between rival Shiite and Sunni tribes. The latest attack happened when the trucks were heading to Parachinar, the main city in Kurram, police officials said. Qaiser Abbas, a doctor at a hospital in Parachinar, said a truck driver and one of the security officials escorting the convoy was killed in the attack. He said they also received 15 wounded people after the attack. Local authorities said police had launched an operation to apprehend the perpetrators of the attack. Authorities say some of the aid trucks were looted and burned by the attackers. Militants in recent months have also stepped up attacks on security forces in the northwestern North and South Waziristan regions bordering Afghanistan, where troops often carry out raids on militant hideouts. In the latest such raids on Saturday, four soldiers and 15 militants were killed in Dera Ismail Khan and North Waziristan districts. The military said the killed militants were from the Pakistani Taliban, who are known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, and are allies of the Afghan Taliban. TTP is a separate group and has been emboldened since the Afghan Taliban came into power in Afghanistan in 2022. Javed Hussain, The Associated Press
