CAIR Asks U.S. Muslims to Collect Quake Aid on Eid
ACTION REQUESTED: (WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/31/05) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today asked Muslim communities nationwide to take advantage of the upcoming holiday marking the end of Ramadan to collect funds for earthquake relief in South Asia.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) joined a number of other Muslim and Pakistani-American groups that are calling for educational and fundraising efforts on Eid ul-Fitr, or “festival of fast breaking,” that will take place on November 3rd or 4th, depending on the sighting of the new crescent moon. Eid ul-Fitr draws large numbers of Muslims for communal prayers.
CAIR and the other organizing groups seek to raise public awareness of the continued suffering in areas devastated by the earthquake, inform Muslims and Americans of all faiths about the need for long-term U.S. involvement in relief efforts and to reaffirm American Muslim and Pakistani-American commitment to quake relief and reconstruction.
"While we will return to our daily routine after a month of self-denial, millions of people in South Asia will remain without basic necessities,” said CAIR Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed. “We need to remember the quake victims in our prayers and do our utmost to help them.”
Ahmed added that prayer leaders nationwide can take advantage of the spirituality of Ramadan, and the large gatherings associated with Eid ul-Fitr, to remind worshippers about the Islamic tradition of serving God by serving His creations.
The United Nations has warned of “a second, massive wave of death” that may result from lack of international donor response to the destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, water distribution systems, and roads.
CAIR is a member of the American Muslim Task Force for Disaster Relief (AMTFDR) that pledged to raise $20 million to provide relief to the victims of the South Asia earthquake.
SEE: American Muslims Pledge $20 Million in Aid for Quake Victims http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=1812&theType=NR
SEE ALSO: American Muslim Task Force for Disaster Relief http://www.amtfdr.net/
The Washington-based council has also urged American Muslims and other people of conscience to call their elected representatives to ask that the U.S. government provide more relief aid.
SEE: Ask President, Congress to Boost Quake Aid http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=294&theType=AA
CAIR chapters nationwide have helped coordinate the Muslim community’s response to the crisis. For example, CAIR’s Sacramento Valley office will hold a press conference tomorrow to announce an urgent aid appeal.
SEE: Sacramento Valley Muslims to Call for Urgent Quake Aid http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=1839&theType=NR
CAIR has 31 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726 or 202-488-8787, E-Mail: ihooper@cair-net.org; Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair-net.org.
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