A Night with the Pakistan Welfare Association
For decades, Tooting has been a hub and a home for Asian communities across South London, a place where generations who once arrived in search of opportunity built lives, families, and futures. Many came with little more than determination and a willingness to learn, working their way from employees to employers, from learning trades to creating opportunities of their own.
Over time, Tooting became more than just a commercial centre. It became a safe haven, a place of culture, identity, and belonging for communities who brought with them the richness of South Asian tradition, faith, and resilience.
It is within this backdrop that the Pakistan Welfare Association (South London) has continued its work for over three decades. Founded by my father, Shahnawaz Rauf, together with long-standing community members including Mohammad Azam (Vice Chairman), Tamkin Riaz (Committee Member), and Cllr. Bernadette Khan, the Association was established to ensure that the culture, identity, and traditions of the Pakistani community are not only preserved, but passed down through generations.
Through events, outreach, and partnerships, the Association has become a cornerstone for many, providing connection, guidance, and shared space for families who have made South London their home.
On Friday 3 October 2025, this spirit came alive once again through a Qawali fundraising evening, hosted at Watan restaurant. The night brought together families, community leaders, and local residents for an evening of music, reflection, and unity, all in support of Mushkil Aasaan, a charity dedicated to helping those in need both locally and abroad.
A Homecoming of Sound and Spirit
The Qawali evening at Watan was more than a night of music, it was a homecoming. A moment where generations came together to celebrate not just art, but identity.
From the moment I arrived, the room carried a rare kind of energy, laughter, warmth, and that unmistakable sense of belonging that only comes when a community gathers for something meaningful. Families filled the space; children sat beside grandparents, elders greeted old friends, and conversations rippled between tables as the first notes of Qawali began to rise.
The performers filled the evening with rhythm and devotion. Their voices soared through the hall, weaving poetry and emotion into melodies that felt both timeless and intimate. The songs didn’t simply entertain; they spoke to something deeper, the shared history, the longing, the faith, and the love that sits at the heart of every community.
For me, the beauty of evenings like this lies not only in the sound, but in what it represents: continuity. The continuation of culture, of faith, of community spirit, threads that connect us back to the generations who first arrived here and forward to those who will inherit what we build.
Community isn’t something abstract. It’s made real through connection, through moments of joy, shared identity, and simple togetherness that remind us who we are and where we come from. Nights like this are not just celebrations; they are small acts of preservation, protecting the roots that anchor us while giving the next generation space to grow and redefine what it means to belong.
A Night of Giving
As the evening drew to a close, the spirit of generosity that defines our community filled the room. The event raised funds for Mushkil Aasaan, a charity committed to supporting individuals and families facing hardship, both here in the UK and abroad. Through its work, the charity has become a vital lifeline, and this night was a testament to how powerful collective giving can be when guided by compassion and purpose.
Watching my father, Shahnawaz Rauf, lead such efforts with humility and strength was deeply meaningful. His lifelong commitment to empowering the Pakistani community, preserving its traditions, nurturing its identity, and creating opportunities for others, is a legacy that continues to shape the lives of so many.
On this evening, that legacy came alive through music that has transcended generations. The voices of Qawali carried not just devotion, but heritage, reminding us that our culture is not static, but living, evolving, and deeply human.
I am proud to stand alongside him, and to continue that work in my own way, helping to empower communities, honour heritage, and create spaces where people feel seen, connected, and inspired. Empowering communities is not only my personal and professional mission, but a family legacy.
Muhammed Rauf
Founder & Managing Director – Elysium London
