Houstonian Corner (V11-I20)

ISGH Communiqué on H1 N1 Flu

HOUSTON – TEXAS: Dr. Aziz A. Siddiqi, President ISGH, has updated the community about the H1 N1 Flu Virus. In a statement, Dr. Aziz has said: “I have discussed the issue of swine flu vaccination with Dr. Moein Butt of Shifa Clinic this morning and he has assured me to keep us informed of any efforts in this regard. He is in touch with government entities and will follow any directives. There has been a lot of talk in the media but US Government has not issued any concrete plans to implement as yet. If a directive for swine flu vaccination is issued, Shifa Clinics will obtain the flu shots and Dr. Butt will inform us about implementation of that plan. I will keep all of you abreast of any progress in this matter.”

Flu preventive measure tips provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which include:

· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it;
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective;
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way;
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people;
· If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Other preventive actions recommended by the CDC when swine flu is confirmed in a community, including:

1. People who develop flu-like symptoms should be strongly encouraged to seek medical advice by phone and to self-isolate themselves in their homes;
2. Cancellation of classes in schools should be considered if there is a confirmed or a suspected case of swine flu in the school population;
3. Gatherings should be temporarily cancelled if there is a risk of spreading infection.

If you would like more information, please contact Islamic Society of Greater Houston at 713-524-6615.

PAGH Going Strong Thanks To Community Support & Hard Work Of Volunteers: President Khalid Khan at GBM

HOUSTON – TEXAS: The General Body Meeting (GBM) of the Pakistan-American Association of Greater Houston (PAGH) was held at Pakistan Center this past Sunday. Several prominent community members, active volunteers of PAGH and members of PAGH Golden Club (Senior Citizens) attended the program in large numbers. After lunch, the program started with Tilawat of Quran.

General Secretary Mian Nazir presented the minutes of last GBM, which were adopted without any discussion. In the midst of applause, the Treasurer of PAGH gave a very promising report, where he informed that the net balance of PAGH is $160,050.14.

Taslim Siddiqui, Life Member of Board of Trustees for Pakistan Center, gave the report that By the Grace of God, the Center Events Hall is doing fantastic job and more than $35,000 are anticipated from rent of the Hall in the next three to four months, as the Hall is fully booked. He said all of the clients renting office and store spaces at the front of Pakistan Center are paying on time and are most happy with the facilities, area and their sales.

Khalid Khan, President of PAGH, gave tremendous tributes to past President Ghulam Bombaywala, whom he said despite opposition, kept working with purpose and have got the Pakistan Center for the Community, which is doing excellent and with the installation of new air conditioning units, will be serving the community in much more diligent manner. “We are custodian of community money and are very carefully spending the money. As such, one can see we have solid amounts of funds. Our main focus is to pay-off Pakistan Center at the earliest. To have better dissemination of information and interaction with the public, PAGH will soon revive their website and will consider starting Electronic Newsletter and hire someone on part-time basis, so that someone is present on Pakistan Center premises during day time, although General Secretary Mian Nazir always comes at one call.”

On a question about use of Pakistan Center for activities like Health Fares, PAGH Officials informed that Doctors from APPNA (The Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America) had approached them in the past and PAGH has offered them free of charge Pakistan Center for such a fare: Now it is up to the resourceful doctors of the Community to utilize these facilities.

Community Poet Lal Deen said a poem about Ghulam Bombayawala: Its’ theme was that Quaid-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was from Bombay and Ghulam is Bombaywala. For more information, one can call 281-933-0786.

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