Help Iowans in Flood Disaster

MAS Service Corps Announces
Iowa Flood Relief 2008 Campaign
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Imam Ahmed Elkhaldy, MSC Director (319) 533-2450
Iyad Hindi, MAS Outreach Director (919) 274-0603
US Muslims Reach Out to Victims of Iowa Floods

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (MASNET) June 13, 2008 – The Muslim American Society Service Corps (MSC), urges all chapters to donate to the victims of the Iowa Floods of 2008.
The flooding in Iowa is being considered as "a catastrophic event" and many lives will be impacted.

"An incredibly dangerous flooding situation is occurring. This is a historic event and catastrophic flooding will occur in many communities through the next week or longer. Area river levels are cresting higher than first thought because these levels have never been seen before," stated MSC Director Imam Ahmed Elkhaldy.

The city and surrounding communities is currently on "water conservation" alert with the potential to lose city water service in many areas.

Muslims in Iowa and across the country are urged to show their support.

MSC would also like to unify the efforts of Muslim volunteers for the long recovery ahead in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo, and surrounding areas. To participate contact MSC Director, Imam Ahmed Elkhaldy at (319) 533-2450.

Concerned community members can also contact The United Way by dialing 211 or 739-4211.
If you would like to donate to the Iowa Flood Relief 2008 Campaign, please send your check marked "FLOOD RECOVERY" to:

MAS SERVICE CORPS
PO Box 10121
Cedar Rapids, IA 52410

MAS Service Corps has been active in disaster relief efforts for the past two years in different areas; Hurricaine Katrina, California Wildfires, and Cyclone Sidr.
Defining the goals of Islamic charitable giving, the Prophet Mohammed (May the Blessings of Allah be upon him) said that we are all responsible for our neighbors: "He is not a believer who lets himself be satiated while his neighbor goes hungry."
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The Muslim American Society (MAS) is a charitable, religious, social, cultural, and educational,
not-for-profit organization. It is a pioneering Islamic organization, an Islamic revival, and reform movement
that uplift the individual, family, and society. On the web: http://www.masnet.org - http://www.masiowa.org
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Help Needed for Muslim Daughters in New York

This is a good deed for Muslims in New York.

I received this email via one of my yahoogroups. Normally, we are not allowed to disperse information beyond the circle but this is an obvious exception.

Asalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatu

The rewards for visiting the sick are great in both number and magnitude....

The Prophet Muhammad sallahAllahu aleyhi waSalam said:"If a man calls on his sick Muslim brother, it is as if he walks reaping the fruits of Paradise until he sits, and when he sits he is showered in mercy, and if this was in the morning, seventy thousand angels send prayers upon him until the evening, and if this was in the evening, seventy thousand angels send prayers upon him until themorning." (Al-Tirmidhi)

With that said: I don't know if people heard of the tragic gas explosion that severely burned 4 Yemeni girls October 6th. It has been almost two months and no sister has visited any of these little girls, may Allah heal them and grant them the highest Jannah for their courage and strength.

As to not overcrowd the children or overwhelm them, please go only in small groups, If you can bring gifts at all, that would be wonderful. Please see contact person below.

Here is some information about the family: The father, Rasas Alghaithi, a recent immigrant from Yemen, is the sole surviving parent of the gas explosion, which destroyed their apartment building. Four of his five daughters experienced burns over 80% of their bodies. The daughter that was spared had gone out with her father, when the explosion occurred.masha'llaah.

Since the explosion, October 6th, the recovery of the two youngest has MashaAllah been miraculous! One is up and about, paintingand playing, with the nurses. The two older daughters are still unstable on ventilators, tube feedings...etc.]

Two are on the 6th floor,and two are on the 8th floor. Although on different floors, two visitors ONLY are allowed per child at one time. And it is best, forthe two girls who are still unstable,[both in the same room], one visitor for each. This would be best to maintain the dignity of all concerned, insha'llah.

The girls names are Du'a, Tuqaa, Leena', and Afaaf. Please remember: They do not know their mother has died.

Note Well: ANY AND ALL GIFTS[ TOYS, CLOTHES, MUST BE IN THEIR ORIGINAL PACKAGING. The girls range from 3 to 9 years old. The 2 youngest girls are scheduled to be discharged within the next 10 days to temporary housing near City College, Convent House[138th Street & ConventAvenue]

They are in need of household things, especially rugs for the kids' room, bedding etc.

The girls are at Weill Medical College of Cornell University525 E 68th StNew York, NY 10021-4870, US Hospital number is 212-746-5000

There's a contact person to call: Sarah Musa 614-354-7417I recommend anyone who wants to help or visit to give her a call.

Visiting hours are over at 8pm. If you would like to donate items to furnish their new home, please call Sarah to inquire on the specifics.

Items can be dropped off in the box at the IC of NYU (until 10pm onweekdays)or directly to where they will be staying (10-4:30pm)at:

The Convent Avenue Living Centerc/o Eugena Simpson,
Case Manager34 Convent Avenue
[Manhattan, 5 blocks south of City College]
Suite#3 NY, NY 10027
phone # 866-7816 Ext:20

Once again, Cash can be given to Khalid Latif or Prof. Shair of NYU. Checks or money orders can be made out and sent to:

Accident Victims Relief Fund, Inc. [Algaithi, Rasas]
Kramer & Pollack,
Attorneys at Lawc/o Joshua Pollack,
Esq.225 Broadway Suite 613
New York, NY 10007