Houstonian Corner (V11-I4)

Houston Women Shelter & Other Humanitarian Assistance Programs Coming Soon: Saad Ansari – ICNA Relief

“We have two well-established Shelters running in New York: One for Women and another for Men. This is an endeavor to assist Homeless Muslims and Non-Muslims in the society and bring them on their feet to become positive members of the communities in which they live. Based on our NY experience, we have in plans to soon start in Year 2009 a similar program in Houston; we have already seen a location and are finalizing the contract. Other future facilities to be brought with the Blessings of God include Food Pantries in partnership with the Houston Food Bank; Utility Bills Payment Assistance; Job Bank & Career Development Center; Case Management for FEMA Assistance Programs and much more”: These were the words of Ayub Badat, Director of ICNA Relief USA Programs, as he informed to hundreds of guests at the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) Houston Chapter Annual Dinner and Fundraiser for ICNA Relief. 

Sheikh Munzar Talib (Dallas) and Sheikh Omar Suleiman (Baton Rouge) especially came to fundraise for ICNA Relief and more than $80,000 were raised. Mustafa White was the Moderator for the evening. Program started with recitation and translation of Quran by Hafiz Tauqeer Shah, which was followed by the welcome address of Haseeb Abdali, President of ICNA Houston Chapter. Program ended with Special Prayers done by Imam Wazir Ali.

In attendance at this event were Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Voluntary Agency Liaisons (VALs) Ken Curtis (Galveston); Henry Neilson (Houston); Ms. Jennifer Hulik (Galveston); Ms. Marcella White (Texas); Executive Director of “Gleanings From The Harvest” Galveston / Houston Food Bank Mark Davis and Members of Jessie Tree Galveston Catholic Church including Joe Compian; President of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston (ISGH) Dr. Aziz Ahmad Siddiqi; Vice-President of ISGH Hashim Badat; Imam Wazir Ali of Mercy Center Masjid AL-Quran; Vice President of the Pakistani-American Association of Greater Houston (PAGH); Commercial Attaché of Consulate of Pakistan Dr. Zia Ahmad; Tariq Khan and Jameel Siddiqui of Pakistan Chronicle & Pakistan Journal and several board members of ISGH.

For more information, one can visit www.icnahouston.com / www.icnarelief.org or call (281) 282-7010.

Helping Hand Has Established Gaza Relief Fund

Helping Hand For Relief And Development; a 501(c)3 Tax-Exempt Organization (Tax Exempt ID — USA: 31-1628040); has established a “Gaza Humanitarian Fund” to send humanitarian assistance to the innocent victims of Gaza. For this, one can go to: http://www.helpinghandonline.org/

Tax Deductible Donation Checks can be sent in the name of “Helping Hand” to: P. O. Box 571492 – Houston – Texas 77257 (in memo, please write Gaza Humanitarian Fund).

For more information, one can call ILyas Hasan Choudry at 832-275-0786.

NOTE: Reported by BBC on the website, a doctor at the Shifa hospital in Gaza City described a desperate scene, with essential medical supplies, fuel and water all running out. Dr. Khamis EL Essi told the BBC that many people had been admitted with multiple injuries, such as head and back wounds. Some patients had had limbs amputated. Humanitarian Needs are Immediate.

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