November 2020, Vol 9. Issue 1 JOINT NEWSLETTER Asian Resource Foundation (ARF) International Institute of Peace and Development Studies (IIPDS) Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN) Water Relief to indigenous communities of West Bengal, India Indigenous communities living in Bankura district of the Indian state of West Bengal are currently facing acute water crisis. The water level has declined so far that the shallow tube wells are unable to lift water from underground sources. With funding support from LIFE, ARF in partnership with Right Track is currently installing five deep tube wells in Tentuldanga, Keshiatora, , Supur Mondal Pada, Papurdihi Bauripara & Baulara Bauripara areas of Bankura district. The drilling of these tube wells are in progress and will be completed by 15th December 2020. Relief Program for Urban Refugees in Bangkok, Thailand In November, ARF and AMAN provided food packs to 115 migrant families living in Bangkok. 38 families came from Cambodia, 38 from Pakistan, 29 from Vietnam, 4 from China, 3 from Palestine and 3 from Afghanistan. In total, 287 persons benefited from this distribution. School Uniforms for Children in Thailand LOMEF/ARF supported 70 children (29 Male and 41 Female) with uniforms in Nong Chok area Thailand. The children were selected from 8 different schools in the area. Altogether 11 students from Kindergarten, 38 students from Primary and 21 students from Secondary level benefited from the project. Most of the families in Nong Chok area don’t have proper jobs or enough economic resources to bear the cost of uniforms for their children. All family members of the students thanked LOMEF/ARF for providing this generous support, especially during this period of crisis brought by the Covid-19 pandemic Pioneers Inspired by Religions Haji Muhammad Mohsin (1733-1812) Haji Muhammad Mohsin was born to Haji Faizullah and Zainab Khanom in Hooghly in West Bengal. According to the old tradition he studied at home under a local teacher. His education included family tradition, understanding the Quranic teachings and prophetic traditions, which include a simple way of leading one‘s life, being just and nurturing respectful relationships between and among community members, protection of the most vulnerable, prevention of discrimination, exploitation, and practicing sharing and caring by extending a helping hand to those who need it the most. In order to ensure continuity and sustainability, he also established an educational institute. Exposure to the Outside World Muhammad Muhsin traveled to the wider world to learn the historical importance of the cultural heritage of those places, people‘s way of life, and practices of religions. Places he visited were Iran, Iraq, Turkey and he made a pilgrimage to Mecca, Medina, and Kufa in Karbala. After he returned people started calling him Haji Muhammad Muhsin. The inception of Organized Philanthropy Sharing and caring have been part of the rich tradition in Bengal, like many other societies. His half-sister Munnujan invited him to look after her estate which she inherited from her mother Zainab. After his sister‘s death in 1803, he created a Waqf in 1806. Its value at that time was 156,000 Taka. From that, Haji Muhammad Muhsin gradually became the greatest philanthropist of his time. He generously made donations for four priority areas: a. for education who needed it the most, b. meaningful religious activities c. Penson fund for elderly people and d. assisted educational institute in both the then East and West Bengal including Hooghly Muhsin college. His gift also includes a magnificent Imambara located on the bank of the Hooghly river. Haji Muhammad Muhsin remains a source of inspiration for the present and future generations..