LAHORE: The Pakistan Spelling Bee project has returned the sponsorship money received from the European Union (EU) over its political support to Israel during the current crisis in Gaza.

A statement issued by Storykit, the organiser of the spelling bee contest, says that the EU Delegation to Pakistan has been informed about the decision to return the sponsorship money received from them to support the Pakistan Spelling Bee project.

“As an education organisation, Storykit stands for the safety, dignity, and welfare of all children of the world, and respect for all faiths and all people, and we seek the same in our partners. As the organisers of the Pakistan Spelling Bee, an educational event for Pakistan children, it would be unconscionable for us to have as our sponsor the European Union, which has recently offered political support for the apartheid Israeli regime’s dehumanization and unfolding genocide of the innocent Palestinian children, women and men, and criminalized lawful dissent by European citizens in their own societies,” says the statement.

Musharraf Ali Farooqi, the founder and CEO of the Storykit, says the spelling bee would continue without sponsorship from the EU. The competition is going to start in Lahore on Oct 21, followed by its rounds in Peshawar, Islamabad and Karachi.

The statement adds that the Storykit will like to believe that fundamental rights, and international laws and conventions are not based on rhetoric which can be bent one way or the other to suit a party’s interests, but on a common morality we can teach our children, so that they grow up believing in a common humanity. “That must be a pre-condition for any cultural dialogue; and makes it sincere, meaningful, and worthy of pursuit. We will continue to work towards it with partners who share this vision.”

It expresses gratitude to the members of the EU delegation in Pakistan, and the members of the diplomatic corps of European nations, terming them friends and honored guests, for their work for the welfare of Pakistan and its people, and their support of educational activities. “Their work undoubtedly has great value, and has lifted countless people out of poverty and illiteracy. We owe them our sincere gratitude,” it says.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2023