Who is Shamiam Arif?

Shamiam is a little girl from the Kashmir region of Pakistan. She suffered horrific burns in a fire at her home which left her very badly injured and in need of the kind of medical care which she could not get in her home country. Following the fire she received basic medical care at a military hospital in Pakistan, but it lacked the kind of expertise and equipment needed to deal with a difficult, specialist case of this kind.

Hearing of Shamiam's plight whilst on holiday in Pakistan, Dumfries and Galloway Special Constable Farooq Ahmed decided to help by launching an appeal to bring Shamiam to the UK for medical treatment.

What's Happened So Far?

Following the launch of the appeal, supported by Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary and Muslim Hands, Shamiam was brought to the UK with her family. Specialist surgeons, working in a voluntary capacity, have performed several operation on Shamiam and have to date repaired Shamiam's skull and grafted skin on to her scalp. The appeal has so far raised more than £50,000, but due to the high cost of specialised medical treatment more is needed to complete Shamiam's treatment and hope for a normal future.

What's Muslim Hands' role?

Work raising funds and helping Shamiam Arif is being carried out by the Shamiam Arif Appeal in association with the Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary. Muslim Hands' supports the appeals and collects and administers any funds raised.

How Can I Find Out More?

There is a significant amount of information on the Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary website. The video above also contains more details. You can also download the June 2005 Appeal Newsletter (requires Adobe Reader - explain).

How Can I Help?

You can support the appeal by using the form above to donate online, or alternatively by telephone on +44 (0)115 911 7222. Please encourage your friends and family to support the appeal also. You may also download and display the Appeal Poster (requires Adobe Reader - explain).

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