Recipient’s Testimonials

Safiya Maqbool

I will never forget the profound impact that my unique international nursing internship at King Fahad Medical City (KFMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia had on my life. It was a transformational experience, made possible by the unwavering support and guidance of AFK Foundation.

Not only was Dr. Faroque Khan (AFK Foundation founder) an inspiration to me, but he also served as a guiding light for countless students like myself who had limited knowledge of the world beyond the borders of Kashmir. The opportunity to be part of the KFMC internship opened my eyes to the vast possibilities that awaited me. Prior to it, I had no idea the immense potential of a world that could shape my future.

It was through Dr. Khan’s mentorship and AFK Foundation support that I gained a new perspective on my nursing career. I learned so much about the profession and experienced the advanced healthcare infrastructure that exists in other parts of the world. We were given basic and advanced life support training in association with the American Heart Association which we didn’t even know existed for nurses. We had the chance to meet so many influential people in the field of healthcare, we felt so special and got the chance to attend all the events that happened during that time in KFMC.

I can’t forget to mention the incredible opportunity to visit Mecca and Madina at such a young age. I was the first person in my entire family tree to visit these sacred places, it was an absolute honor. The AFK Foundation not only sponsored our internship, but they also covered the expenses of our visit to these Holy places.

Words cannot fully express my gratitude to Dr. Faroque Khan for the amazing opportunities he provided me. His dedication to humanity and personal investment through AFK Foundation in the lives of students like me is truly commendable. I sincerely thank him and AFK Foundation for everything he has done. The memories of that three-month internship at KFMC will forever remain etched in my heart, and the impact it had on my life will continue to shape my journey moving forward. I am forever grateful for the doors it opened, the knowledge gained, and the friendships forged. I am proud to be a testament to Dr. Khan’s vision and legacy of the AFK Foundation, and I will strive to pay it forward by making a difference in the world, just as he and the AFK Foundation have done for me.

Ulfat Gulzar

I am Ulfat Gulzar, from Kashmir.. I have done a masters in Nursing (CHNsg). I am very much thankful to the AFK Foundation which supported me in Bibi Halima Nursing College (BHNC) in Kashmir while completing my internship at KFMC Riyadh Saudi Arabia. I was one of the first trainees from BHNC to work as nursing interns at KFMC hospital. This all was possible because the AFK Foundation paid our travel and other expenses during our four months of training at KFMC in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

I have had access to resources and opportunities that are still unavailable to me in my own country. I am very much thankful to AFK Foundation for the financial support and the guidance, and I will always be grateful for their support. Best wishes from Ulfat Gulzar presently working as a tutor at Government School in Kulgam.

Mussavir Rashid Khwaja

I have a postgraduate degree in Nursing, rendering noble services to the best of my potential. I am also currently enrolled in a PhD Nursing program as a part time candidate. As a resident of Sopore District in Baramulla (J&K) I have been working as a Nursing Officer in Govt. Medical College and associated hospitals Srinagar in Uronephrosis (Kidney transplant) Department since 2016.

I have been very much influenced by AFK Foundation Inc run by Drs. Arfa Khan & Faroque Khan. AFK Foundation has taken the initiative of sending top 15 students of BBHCNT to King Fahd Medical Facility KSA for internship every year since 2009. I have been fortunate enough to be part of AFK Foundation’s initiative when our batch (2011) also visited King Fahd medical facility, KSA and we had a 4 month internship there.

We had an opportunity to expose ourselves to modern, well equipped medical nursing technology and attended international conferences/Seminars as well. The best part of our trip was that we were given an opportunity to perform Umrah twice (Alhamdulillah). We were fortunate enough to also meet with Dr Omar Kasuli under whose guidance we attended a one month course on Islamic ethics and its relation in clinical practice. During said course, we had an opportunity to meet with a number of well reputed international personalities and gained tremendous medical related knowledge.

Before our departure to KFMC, due to some reasons the internship program was about to halt. I contacted respected Dr. Faroque sir who via email immediately and continuously made the program successful again. It was all due to his efforts that we were allowed to proceed with the program.

During our stay in KSA, we were given full support by AFK Foundation and the trip to KSA really boosted our morale. We shall always remain highly indebted to AFK Foundation for their relentless work. May AFK Foundation achieve more heights in near future and my best wishes are always with Dr Faroque Khan Sir and team at AFK Foundation.

Rizwana Bhat

I am from Asham, Bandipora Kashmir and have done Msc in nursing from SKIMS (MMIMSR) in Srinagar, Kashmir. Since 2016, I have been working as a nursing officer in the Radiation Oncology department of GMC Srinagar.

Hailing from a small village in Kashmir and doing internship program (during BSc nursing) at international level in one of the most reputed hospitals, KFMC Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was a dream that respected Dr Faroque Khan sir turned into reality through AFK Foundation in 2011. We did our internship of four months that was worth more than our four years Bsc program in Srinagar. 

AFK foundation sponsored students travel from Srinagar, Kashmir to Riyadh Saudi Arabia, During the program we were exposed to research based and evidence based nursing practices. It was the AFK Foundation that bore all of the expenses including air tickets, food and also made arrangements for our umrah. It was because of the AFK Foundation we were able to complete a one month course in Islamic ethics and its relation in clinical practice under the guidance of professor Dr Omar Kasuli. We were given an opportunity to learn the basics of Arabic language for better communication during that period.

Dr. Faroque Khan was very generous, humble and a keen listener. We were able to explore a lot through this program. Fortunately we were given lots of opportunities to attend international seminars and lectures related to nursing and other medical procedures. I need to thank Dr Faroque Sir and the AFK Foundation for their immense support, generosity and tireless contribution.

Samina Raja, PhD

Professor, Urban and Regional Planning
Founder and Director, Food Systems Planning and Healthy Communities Lab

Education is a lever for profound transformation, especially for students from marginalized communities. In the Himalayan region of Kashmir, the educational infrastructure has been worsened by decades-long ongoing conflict in the region. Students in Kashmir have been held back from reaching their full potential: Infrastructures have been gutted (714 school buildings were lost in the 1990s); Schools were shut for days on end with Inconsistent academic schedules and poor quality education when open (in 2016-2017 60% of school days were canceled); and Commuting to school was dangerous for youth as many experienced injuries and fatalities on their way to or from school. Despite these challenges, education remains a top priority for Kashmiris and one of very few levers that enable Kashmiri youth to build good lives for themselves. Thanks to support from AFK Foundation, some students of Kashmiri origin have overcome significant odds securing admission in, and graduating from, outstanding international educational establishments.

AFK Foundation helps Kashmiri students with intellectual prowess and drive embark on and sustain in their academic journeys. As an educator of Kashmiri origin, I have had the privilege of nominating multiple graduate students to AFK Foundation for their support. AFK Foundation-funded graduate students have excelled academically, expanded their intellectual horizons, stepped into leadership roles, and transformed their own and others’ lives. Importantly, students who have received support from AFK Foundation are committed to improving the conditions of Kashmiris in Kashmir. In essence, AFK Foundation is a catalyst for transformation that ripples well beyond the graduate students whose education they directly support. Supporting individual transformation to catalyze community transformation is a strategy more of us could learn from. Kudos to AFK Foundation!

Fouzia Bhat

I’m Fouzia Bhat, currently pursuing a masters degree in outdoor environmental education at the University of Minnesota. I express my sincere gratitude for the financial support AFK Foundation provided to help pay for my tuition.

This generosity has allowed me to continue pursuing my academic goals and has made a significant difference in my life. Due to AFK Foundation’s financial support, I have been able to focus on my studies without the added stress of worrying about how I would pay for my tuition fees. And it has also allowed me to grow as an individual and develop the skills I need to succeed in my academic and professional endeavors. While studying outdoor environmental education, I have had access to resources and opportunities that were previously unavailable to me; including a full semester of observation time and hands-on experience class work at a nature pre-school.

By supporting my education in outdoor environmental education, the AFK Foundation is also contributing to the overall wellbeing of the environment and society by promoting sustainability and conservation efforts.

Thanking AFK Foundation for their kindness and generosity. I will always be grateful for their ongoing support and will strive to make a positive impact in the world as I continue on my academic and professional journey.