Inaugural Ceremony of the ARCS Special Week Convened During a Grand Event
Thursday, October 16, 2025
The inauguration ceremony of the ARCS Special Week was convened in Kabul in a dignified gathering attended by Sheikh Ul Hadith Shahabuddin Delawar, General President of the ARCS; Hafiz Azizur Rahman, Vice President; Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, IEA Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs; Sheikh Ul Hadith Abdul Baqi Haqqani, Head of the National Examination Authority, along with a number of deputy ministers, representatives of humanitarian organizations, international partners, prominent entrepreneurs, directors, managers and employees of various ARCS departments, and volunteers.
The event commenced with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran.
In his opening address, Hafiz Azizur Rahman, Vice President of the ARCS, warmly welcomed the participants and underscored the significance of the Special Week. He urged citizens to seize this occasion to extend assistance to the underprivileged, the ill, and disaster-affected citizens,, emphasizing the shared humanitarian responsibility of all Afghans.
A special message of support from the Prime Minister of the IEA was then delivered by Qari Abdul Satar Saeed, Deputy Director of the Prime Minister’s Office. The message reaffirmed the government’s steadfast support for the ARCS and encouraged all civil servants to donate the equivalent of one day’s salary.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Prime Minister Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, appealed to affluent individuals and national business figures both inside and outside the country to extend assistance to the ARCS within their capacity. He remarked that such benevolent contributions play a crucial role in alleviating the suffering of vulnerable people and those affected by natural disasters.
Representatives from the ICRC and the IFRC also congratulated the ARCS on marking the Special Week and the 60th anniversary of the Movement’s Fundamental Principles. They lauded the organization’s impactful humanitarian initiatives in improving the daily lives of vulnerable Afghans and reaffirmed their commitment to sustained collaboration in delivering joint humanitarian services.
In his remarks, Sheikh Ul Hadith Abdul Baqi Haqqani, Head of the National Examination Authority, commended the ARCS for its tireless humanitarian contributions. He highlighted that in recent years, the Society has rendered timely assistance to victims of floods, earthquakes, and droughts, and and encouraged all citizens to take part in supporting the cause during this Special Week.
In his concluding speech, ARCS General President Sheikh Ul Hadith Shahabuddin Delawar presented an overview of the organization’s achievements. He noted that each year, the ARCS provides medical treatment for hundreds of patients suffering from cardiac and mental illnesses, assists families affected by earthquakes and floods, and supports families without guardians and vulnerable households. He stressed that the scope of these humanitarian services can expand further with increased financial and moral support from national and international donors, businessmen, and philanthropists.
The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt prayer for divine blessings and continued success.
It is noteworthy that the ARCS observes its Special Week annually on 24 Mizan (October 16) to strengthen its financial resources, and the campaign continues for one month.
