TORONTO-based International Muslim Organization (IMO), has donated close to three-quarters of a million Guyana dollars towards the surgical operation required to remove the brain tumor in eight-year-old Fazeela Shaffee. Presentation of the cash donation, coordinated by the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC), was made on Tuesday, January 8, to the mother of the child, Kamla Bachu, in the presence of President General of ACIC, Hakeem Khan, and other relatives of Ms. Shaffee.
 
Secretary of IMO, Bro. Ameer Ali, had read of the plight of the child in the online version of the Kaieteur News, and contacted ACIC for its verification and initiating contact with the parents. Thereafter, an appeal was made to members of the IMO in Canada, one of the largest Masjids in the Toronto area, and the money was raised for the child.
A large portion of the members of IMO are persons of Guyanese background.
 
According to the child’s mother, the donation from IMO will go towards other expenses incurred for the child, as the air tickets and cost of surgery had already been covered by other organisations. She thanked IMO for the generous contribution.
 
Mr. Ameer Ali, on behalf of IMO, has expressed the hope that this donation, given the urgency and need of the situation, would contribute tangibly towards the successful surgery and recovery of the child.
 
IMO has also promised to monitor the situation closely through ACIC, and based on feedback given to IMO by ACIC, will be willing to contribute further to the child, if necessary.