They chose to give their monetary gifts to the Aga Khan Foundation, an organization that works to “break the cycle of poverty” by making long-term investments in Africa and Asia. Sameera worked with the Aga Khan Foundation while living in Washington, D.C.
By Heather Middleton for Clayton News: RIVERDALE — A series of events led a former Clayton County resident to the love of her life, which has opened doors for the newly married couple to help impoverished children around the world.
At first, Sameera Gokal wasn’t sure she would be up for a social outing after an evening French class.
“We had an exam that night, and my friend was having a birthday dinner,” Sameera said. “I kept going back and forth, about going to the dinner, and at the last minute I went.”
At the celebration, she met a friend who later mentioned she knew a guy Sameera might like.
That week, she received a Facebook message from Kashif Ali. After a week of communicating, the pair, who practice the Shia Ismali Muslim faith, chose to meet at their place of worship, Jamatkhana.
That first meeting was in March 2015.
“I thought, ‘Wow,’” Sameera said. “There was just something unique between us, and I felt the sparks.”
At the time, they were living in Houston, where Kashif was born and raised. Sameera was born in Pakistan and moved to Riverdale as a child. Her parents owned a dry cleaning business in Stockbridge and Jonesboro, but Sameera relocated to Houston for a job.
Source: Clayton News Daily
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