The Muslim News

Washington, D.C., MAS: The Muslim American Society (MAS) and its Freedom Foundation, and Islamic Relief USA, will hold a press conference on Friday, September 2 at 3:00 p.m. in front of the Holiday Inn across from the Houston Astrodome to announce ongoing relief efforts to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina.

MAS, America's largest grassroots Muslim organization with over fifty chapters, including those in Houston, Dallas and New Orleans, has teamed up with Islamic Relief USA, a U.N. NGO and member of the U.N. Economic and Social Council, with its offices in 30 countries.

MAS and its Freedom Foundation will announce major ongoing efforts initiated by the organization and Islamic Relief to mobilize the American Muslim community in order to work in concert with other national relief organizations, religious charities, government officials, and the private sector, to assist victims.

Also attending the press conference will be Muslims who were evacuated from New Orleans and the surrounding area.

"There are three basic components to our work," stated MAS Freedom Foundation Executive Director Mahdi Bray.

"To encourage Muslims to open their mosques and homes to victims as well as adopting a family and renting an apartment for displaced families. Second, to collect and assist with the distribution of food and other consumable necessities to shelters and other temporary lodging facilities. And lastly, to insure that Islamic Relief has the resources to provide the high caliber assistance that they have provided throughout the years to victims of natural catastrophes here in the United States and abroad.”

“It is critical that we all pull together to help the thousands who have been devastated by Katrina," concluded Bray.

MAS has already encouraged mosques in Baton Rouge, LA, and surrounding areas to open their doors as temporary shelters, and are currently full. Efforts are now being made to house families in hotels and private homes. Additionally, MAS members are renting apartments for temporary living quarters. Currently, Islamic Relief is sending a major convoy with supplies to Baton Rouge; Mobile, Al; Houston, TX; and other areas affected by Katrina.

And MAS Freedom is also organizing and dispatching Muslim doctors and healthcare professionals to areas hit by Katrina.

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