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Project to help Iraqis

DUBAI — The Art of Living Foundation (ALF) yesterday launched its SEVA Soul Project to mark its founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's visit to Iraq on May 22 on an invitation from Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Malki and Ismat Ageed Siddiq, Consul-General.

The project is the brainchild of six volunteers, Rita, Shanker, Dharmendra, Pradeep, Fazal and Kunal Khanna, based in the Middle East, who plan to eventually create a system whereby Iraqis will be able to use their own skills to receive direct funding.

"We're still at the early planning stages and invite people to come forward with new ideas. Our first phase will deal with a business system whereby Iraqis will make T-shirts that will be sold to companies," said Fazal, a SEVA volunteer, a pilot by profession.

We therefore encourage construction companies, especially, to consider purchasing these T-shirts for their workers. In turn, we can teach their workers stress-reducing, ALF techniques for free," he added.

At the launch of the initiative, Siddiq released SEVA T-shirts and caps, which will be distributed in various Middle East countries.

Siddiq said, "The world today is concerned about bringing Iraq back on track. Thousands of women and youths are traumatised by the aftermath of the war and need counselling. The World Health Organisation has even announced the need for psychological counselling. To that effect, the ALF's experience in relief and disaster management is proving to be useful."

• UAE