Purpose
AFK Foundation is a charitable nonprofit organization focused on providing financial assistance for underprivileged/disadvantaged but motivated young adults
from Kashmir to achieve their educational goals and build a career through skill development and continous education.
Leadership
Executive Board
Faroque Khan (NY USA), President
Arfa Khan (NY USA), Co-President
Arif Khan (AD UAE), Vice President
Shireen Khan (NY USA), Treasurer
Hasan Khan (NY USA), Co-Secretary
Leena Khan (Washington DC USA), Co-Secretary
Family Advisory Council
Jamal Mahmood (NJ USA)
Musarat Shareeff (NY USA)
Nighat Rasool (NY USA)
Obaid Khan (CA USA)
Reema Rasool (NY USA)
Sami Mir (Washington DC USA)
Sarah Khan (CA USA)
Seema Khan (AD UAE)
Suraya Khan (Manchester UK)
Yasir Andrabi (IL USA)
History
The Inspiration
Arfa and Faroque arrived in the US with $8 in our pockets, yet we were rich in our faith, the love of our family, and a belief that we could have a great education with the goal of helping the sick and the needy, after completing our advanced training in the USA.
May 1966
The Inspiration
Faroque’s father, Ghulam Hasan Khan in Kashmir, wrote the following in a letter expressing his desire:
“Our responsibilities, as far as our children are concerned, are over. It has been my inner wish that you build a charitable endowment which will help create ongoing charitable programs such as as a “shifakhana” (a hospital), “yateem khana” (an orphanage), “musafir khana” (a rest-house for travelers), “madrassa” (a school), run by a Board of Trustees, under a proper Trust Deed. All my children would be members of the Trust Board in addition to others.”
January 1971
The Beginning
Received federal approval to establish AFK foundation as a USA based tax exempt charitable foundation.
December 12, 1997
The Beginning
In the early years the AFK foundation focused on upgrading the medical library at the Govt Medical College (GMC) in Srinagar, Kashmir, from which both founders — Arfa and Faroque Khan — had graduated. Other initiatives involved establishing a “Dr. Ghulam Rasool” memorial essay contest for the GMC medical students, support short-term USA based training for Kashmiri doctors and assist publishing the first international journal from Jammu and Kashmir – J&K Practitioner
Mid-1980s – 1990s
Current Events
Partnership with Kashmir Education Initiative (KEI) is formed. AFK Foundation provided KEI with financial support, access to a network of donors and strategic counsel to KEI leaders. AFK Foundation established a named scholarship at KEI for higher education in areas of art, journalism, anthropology, languages and law.
Early – Mid 2000s
Current Events
Partnership created between Bibi Halima Nursing College in Kashmir and King Fahd Medical City (KFMC) in Riyadh, KSA. Each four month cycle, 10-15 Kashmiri nursing students received hands-on training, then returned to Kashmir with skills to improve nursing care in Kashmir and beyond. KFMC provided housing during the training; and AFK Foundation provided generous donation support for overseas transportation & other incidentals for the nursing students. Overall close to 100 Nursing students graduated from this unique program.
September 2009 – March 2020
Current Events
Collaborations and partnerships with USA based NGOs focused on supporting Kashmir such as Chinar and Kashmir Education Initiative (KEI).
Now
The Future
Further expand the outreach programs of AFK Foundation through donations offering financial support to Kashmiri undergraduate students pursuing graduate studies in Kashmir and abroad. These students plan to return to Kashmir with the knowledge and skills to enhance the quality of life for Kashmiris.
Future Plans
