Date Posted: Monday, January 10, 2005

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

<<January 10, 2004 ALERT>>

CNN AGREES TO LIST MUSLIM CHARITIES

MAS Freedom Foundation Contacts National Media Concerning Absence of Muslim Charities in Tsunami Coverage

The Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation has contacted national media outlets in the U.S. thanking them for their coverage of the tsunami disaster and its victims, and requesting them to add Muslim charities to their list of charities working in the region receiving donations to assist victims.

National media in the U.S. has listed and covered the work of both secular and religious charitable organizations assisting victims of the disaster, but, in the effort, has failed to list the numerous Muslim charities assisting in the region.

Recommended by MAS Freedom Foundation to various media outlets were Islamic Relief USA and the Islamic Circle North America. Both are recognized and respectable NGOs who have been working in Asia and Africa for years.

Upon receiving a phone call and e-mail from MAS Freedom Foundation Executive Director Mahdi Bray, CNN agreed to review and list Muslim charities throughout their daily broadcast.

Below is the text of the letter sent to CNN:

January 10, 2005

Dear Sir:

I first want to thank you and the entire staff of CNN for the outstanding coverage you have given to the victims of the Tsunami disaster. 

I have noticed that in your efforts to assist the victims, you have listed numerous charities for viewing to send donations. The charities have been both secular and religious. However, I've also noticed that you have not listed American Muslim charities. I would like to recommend at least two:

Islamic Relief, USA
PO Box 6098
Burbank, CA  91506
PH: (818) 238-9520
Website: http://irw.org

The Islamic Circle of North America
166-26 89th Avenue,
Jamaica, NY  11432
PH: (718) 658-1199,
email: info@icna.org

These organizations are recognized NGOs and have been working in that region of the world for years.

I would greatly appreciate it if you would list them and cover their activities. Again, my heart felt appreciation for the terrific work you and your staff at CNN are doing on behalf of the victims of the devastating natural catastrophe.

Respectfully,
Mahdi Bray
Executive Director

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.

____________________________________________

MAS Freedom Foundation

1050 17th Street NW #600

Washington, DC  20036

Tel:  (202) 496-1288

Fax:  (202) 463-0686

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

Email: freedom@masnet.org