Two Hours in Moss: Iftikhar Thakur and Junaid Saleem Return for the Alfalah Scholarship

Sunday 13 September 2026 — Moss, Norway. From 14:00 to 16:00, the hall at Rehmani Moské filled up for a single purpose: keeping students in Pakistan in school.

The afternoon was organised under the leadership of Muhammad Sadiq, Board Chairman of Alkhidmat Europe, and both guests from Pakistan were present — Iftikhar Thakur and Junaid Saleem, two days on from the evening programme in Drammen.

Two hours. No filler. The appeal was for the Alfalah Student Scholarship Programme.

Why Rehmani Moské

Rehmani Moské in Vogts gate 7 has served the Muslim community of Moss since 1991, and the congregation of Anjuman Flah-ul Muslemin rebuilt and expanded the mosque in 2011–2012. Around 80 percent of its members have Pakistani backgrounds — which made it the natural place for this conversation. You can read more about the mosque's history in the Moss byleksikon entry.

The afternoon

Muhammad Sadiq opened by setting out what the scholarship does and how donor money is tracked — a short, plain account of where the money goes, backed by the organisation's registration with Innsamlingskontrollen.

Iftikhar Thakur spoke next. The comedy landed, as it always does. But the part people remembered was quieter: what it costs a family when a capable child is told there is no money for fees.

Junaid Saleem closed the case. He framed education as an investment rather than charity, and put the responsibility squarely on a diaspora that has already benefited from the thing it is now being asked to fund.

By 16:00, new monthly sponsorships had been signed. Nearly 20,000 NOK were raised & 10,500 NOK were raised in cash bringing the total to around 30,000 NOK.

What sponsorship actually means

Around NOK 200–400 per month supports one student. You get their profile, regular performance reports, and a final report at graduation.

The Alfalah Scholarship Scheme has backed more than 5,000 students since 1998, with over 1,000 receiving support right now — many at Pakistan's leading universities.

Alumni are working as doctors, engineers, and teachers. There's a short film if you'd rather watch than read.

Sponsor a student in Pakistan →

Also open

Sponsor an Orphan in Pakistan · Street Children Pakistan · Clean Water Pakistan · Zakat · Gaza Relief Fund · Sponsor Gaza Orphans · All projects

Want to host an evening like this at your mosque or centre? Start at Partnership or Contact Us. Programme reporting is on Insights; the team is on About Us.

Thank you to Rehmani Moské, to the volunteers, and to everyone in Moss who committed to a student.

FAQ

Where and when was the event?

Rehmani Moské, Vogts gate 7, Moss — Sunday 13 September 2026, 14:00–16:00.

Who led it?

Muhammad Sadiq, Board Chairman of Alkhidmat Europe, with guests Iftikhar Thakur and Junaid Saleem.

How much to sponsor a student?

From roughly NOK 200–400 per month. Details here.

Is Alkhidmat Europe registered in Norway?

Yes — org. no. 915 487 440, registered with Innsamlingskontrollen and the Frivilligregister.