Date Posted: Tuesday, September 06, 2005

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful

September 6, 2005

KATRINA DAILY ACTION ALERT IN BRIEF

MAS Freedom Calls For National Day of Prayer and Giving on Friday

• The Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation is calling upon mosques nationwide to have this Friday’s prayer service (Jummah) be dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Please offer your prayers and collect funds, supplies and volunteers for Katrina relief efforts. Click here for more information.

Services and Information for Katrina-Affected Individuals and Families

• MAS has secured through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 10 rooms in a hotel paid for by FEMA for 14 days. Please contact MAS office for more information.
• Attached is a list of services and information available through different agencies for evacuees. Please pass this information on, as it can greatly aid victims.
• The MAS Santa Clara chapter has offered to host some families affected by Katrina in the San Francisco Bay area if they are willing to relocate. Please contact MAS office for more information.
• The Islamic School of Austin, TX, is offering free admission to their school for children affected by Katrina from K-6 grade. Please contact MAS office for more information.
• MAS’s database contains the names of more than 25 families in need. Please call MAS’s office either with names of families in need or help you can offer.  
• Disaster victims with school-aged children in Houston should call the Houston Independent School District (HISD) at 713-892-6000. Evacuees should give HISD their current Texas zip code in order for HISD to direct them to enroll their kids in the closest school.
• For evacuees to claim unemployment insurance, please call 1-800-939-6631.
• A real estate agent is available to secure apartments/houses to affected families. Please contact MAS office for more information.
• The Dar Al Hijrah mosque in Northern Virginia has collected over $15,000 for victims of Katrina.

Muslim Help Day on September 11 at Houston Convention Center

• MAS has confirmed the participation of 245 volunteers for the September 11 “Muslim Help Day” at the Houston Convention Center. A total of 750 volunteers are needed by the Muslim of Houston organization for this important day. Please continue to pass the word on for volunteers. The last opportunity to get training to qualify will be on Tuesday, September 6, at 6:30 p.m. at West Campus, 2nd Baptist, I0449 Katy Freeway, and Tuesday, September 6, at 6:30 pm at North Campus, 2nd Baptist, Hwy 59 & Kingwood Dr. While you are at the training, please indicate MAS as the organization you are representing and call MAS’s office at 281-530-4MAS to confirm your participation and in which shift you will participate.

Houston Evacuee Shelters

• MAS has arranged sending donations (food, comforts, back packs, school supplies, etc) it receives to the following shelters: Community of Faith Churches on ISGH NW Conrad Sour and Masjid AL-Taqwa on Synotte.

How You Can Help

• MAS’s office are open 3:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. everyday. Please call MAS’s office if you would like to volunteer in the office.
• Monetary donations are most needed at this time as we gear for long-term support. Again, please call 281-530-4MAS (4627).
• Checks can be sent to 6210 Highway 6 South Houston, TX. 77083. Or wire transfer: Washington Mutual Bank: Muslim American Society – Houston, Routing # 111993776, Account # 1811955400.

If your mosque or organization would like to post your efforts to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina, please forward your information to MAS4Freedom@aol.com. Please make your information as brief as possible to maximize postings.

The Freedom Foundation is the public affairs arm of the Muslim American Society (MAS), a national grassroots religious, social, and educational organization. MAS is America’s largest grassroots Muslim organization with over 50 chapters nationwide. Learn more at www.masnet.org. Support our work at MAS Freedom Foundation: Make a donation.

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MAS Freedom Foundation

1050 17th Street NW, Suite 600

Washington, D.C.  20036

Tel:  (202) 496-1288

Fax:  (202) 463-0686

URL:  http://www.masnet.org/index_publicaffairs.asp

EMAIL: info@masfreedomfoundation.org