(Cleveland, OH, 1/27/05) – The Islamic Center of Cleveland raised $15,000 in one day for the victims of the Asian tsunami that hit on Dec. 26, 2004. The money was donated to the Red Cross on Jan. 1, 2005 making the Center one of the first Muslim organizations in the area to donate to the relief fund.
“We are so grateful to the Islamic Center of Cleveland for being among the first to recognize the enormity of this horrible tragedy, said Mary-Alice Frank, CEO of the American Red Cross, Greater Cleveland Chapter. “Their financial donation will help many people who are trying to put their lives back together following the tsunami disaster.”
ICC Treasurer, Ahmed Ansari, said he was not surprised by the generosity because the Muslim community is always very open hearted. In announcements after Friday prayers he said it was wonderful to see little kids raising money to donate. One child donated $185.
At the Eid-ul-Adha celebration on Jan. 21, a group of children organized a separate fundraiser with their parents. Six boys, Ammar, Zaeem, Salman, Hashim, Murtaza and Saad baked brownies and cookies, while three girls, Sanya, Sara and Farah made book-markers and bracelets. Together the children raised $360.
The money will be donated to Save the Children, an organization devoted to providing non-profit humanitarian relief for needy children around the globe. This contribution will go directly to the children affected by the tsunami. At the bake sale, the children told customers that a $4-donation could cover antibiotics for one needy child.
Marina Magrey, the proud parent of Zaeem, said her son was horrified by the images of the Tsunami and thought it was the Day of Judgment. He decided to bring his friends together for the fundraiser and make it part of his faith-based community project for school.
The children were happy they could help and are planning to send a poster with pictures of the event to NBC reporter Katie Couric.
Their original goal was to raise $500, so a parent decided to cover the remaining portion before sending the check. Magery said she wants her children to be active in community volunteerism and incorporate care for others in their daily life. “I want people to know that Muslim children are also active in helping others,” she said.
Over 300,000 people in 12 Asian nations have been killed and millions more are suffering everyday. A large number of the victims were Muslim.
CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 30 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
To read CAIR’s Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to: https://www.cair.com/about-us/vision-mission-core-principles.html
CONTACT: Julia A. Shearson, 216.830.2247 or 216.440.2247, E-Mail: jshearson@cair.com
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