US EMERGENCY IFTARS RELIEVE GAZA ORPHANS
Houston, 25 Ramadan 1435/23 July 2014 (MINA) – Showing a glimpse of Muslim generosity during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, three hundred donors and volunteers attended an emergency fundraising iftar dinner in Houston, Texas, raising approximately $155,000 in relief for Palestinian orphans.
“We felt compelled to do something for the children in Palestine, and (our donors) wanted to do something for them, as well,” Asmaa Syed, Islamic Relief USA’s Houston representative, told OnIslam.net as quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).
The event was part of Islamic Relief USA’s annual iftar dinners held in different cities around the United States.
Usually donors can choose from which country they wish to sponsor an orphan. However, in light of the ongoing war in Gaza, the Houston event was retooled to benefit only those Palestinian children who have been left parentless as a result of the recent fighting.
Syed said donations will continue to be accepted through the organization’s website, www.irusa.org, until the end of the week.
She said donations for the Houston community are expected to total $160,000.
Islamic Relief USA’s orphan sponsorships are based on a year’s commitment and provide the beneficiary with a range of services.
“(The commitment) is about $60 a month for Palestinian orphans, and that covers food, shelter, clothing, medical needs, education, everything,” said Syed.
“The donor will also get a picture of the child. It’s nice because they can see the child they’re sponsoring and it feels more personal.”
Events are slated for July 25 in Denver, Colorado; Salt Lake City, Utah; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Los Angeles, California.
Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is an international relief and development organization consisting of a family of 15 aid agencies that aims to alleviate the suffering of the world’s poorest people.
Founded in the UK in 1984 with the stated mission of alleviating suffering, hunger, illiteracy and diseases worldwide regardless of color, race or creed, Islamic relief is now the biggest Muslim international relief and development charity in the West. (T/P09/E01)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
