CA: Inland Muslims Boost
Relief Effort
By Bettye Wells Miller
Inland Muslims will
continue raising money for Pakistan earthquake victims during
prayer services on Friday as Islamic relief groups in the
United States coordinate the delivery of aid to staff and
partner agencies in the Himalayan region.
American Muslims, many with family in South Asia, will play
an important role in fund-raising for victims of Saturday’s
catastrophic earthquake, Inland residents and others said.
“Many people have lost family,” said Shakeel
Syed, executive director of the Islamic Shura Council of
Southern California. “Many have family there who are
helping others who have been displaced. And the majority
(of Muslims) here are fairly resourceful.”
The Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, an organization
of mosques and Islamic centers, has asked members to focus
Friday sermons on the role everyone can play in alleviating
suffering and to give generously to earthquake-relief efforts.
The council also will sponsor a fundraising dinner on Nov.
13 and will send a delegation of Southern California Muslims
to Pakistan later this week to determine what help is needed
now and long-term…
Most mosques began raising money immediately, Inland Muslims
said.
Many are still raising money for victims of the Gulf Coast
hurricanes as well and sent money to relief groups helping
tsunami survivors in South Asia.
Southern California Muslims have raised more than $5 million
for hurricane victims so far, Syed said.
“It is overwhelming,” Kalim Farooki, chairman
of the Islamic Society of Corona-Norco board of trustees,
said of the relief need for victims of tsunamis, hurricanes
and now the earthquake along the India-Pakistan border.
“Life is a test. We should never see this calamity
as punishment. It is an opportunity for people with means
to help people who are suffering.”
The center has raised several thousand dollars for earthquake
victims so far, Farooki said by phone… (Courtesy Press-Enterprise,
10/11/05
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_D_relief12.13169e40.html)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
