"I love to be with these guys," Afridi said of Islamic Relief in an interview with InFocus.
Fans in America said they couldn’t believe the man they had just watched competing on Satellite TV was now standing in front of them ready to work toward a humanitarian cause.
The benefit dinners raised about $1 million for development projects in Pakistan, said Anwar Khan, general manager of Islamic Relief USA.
"We’re very happy with the response. We can continue our development projects and can now try to get other organizations to donate funds so we can make our projects bigger and help more people," he said.
Development projects are aimed at preventing critical situations from forming, Khan said.
"If we can provide clean water, children won’t get sick in the first place; if we can provide medicine in clinics and build roads – insha’Allah people won’t die because of illness, lack of medicine or not being able to get to clinics in time," he said. "It’s about preventing young children from dying in high numbers and reducing infant mortality rates. We’re bringing life back to the area."
While many organizations provide emergency relief, Islamic Relief also focuses on development in order to help sustain communities into the future, said Mostafa Mahboob, communications manager.
"We need to help them support themselves and stand on their feet so that we’re not always there holding their hands," he said. "People pay the most attention to relief efforts after disasters. Disasters come and go, but the need for relief stays for a long time after the disaster has occurred."
Sixteen-year-old Mohamed Itani, who volunteered at the final benefit dinner of the series in southern California, said he enjoyed helping his Muslim brothers and sisters and taking part in a good cause.
"I would recommend volunteering to Muslim teenagers," Itani said. "You’re helping others out, and you can still spend time with your friends if you all volunteer together."
Attendee Tamanna Shah attended with her family to support the cause. "There was a wonderful turnout. I really wasn’t expecting to see all these people come together," she said, adding that while she herself is not a fan of cricket, her two brothers are avid fans.
Having a celebrity at the event helped garner a wide range of support from the community, Khan said, noting that many individuals who are more culturally-oriented attended and learned about Islamic Relief’s mission.
"It’s not just about raising money; it’s also about raising awareness and focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us," he said.
Afridi, who is married and has two children, returned to Pakistan for another cricket match just a few days after the benefit dinner in Garden Grove on Feb. 24.
