Islamic Centers Leading Relief Efforts in Texas

by Ilyas Choudry

Unparalleled Flooding in the Fourth Largest Metropolis of USA, Houston has brought communities together to begin relief efforts. The Pakistani community has started relief efforts with generous donations including one of $50,000- by Mr. S. Javaid Anwar in the Name of his mother Tahira Khatoon to ‘Alliance of Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Efforts’.

Houston, Texas: In a hurriedly called conference-call meeting, American Pakistani Entrepreneur S. Javaid Anwar of Midland Energy has announced $50,000 in the name of his beloved deceased mother ‘Tahira Khatoon’ to be utilized by the ‘Alliance of Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Efforts’.

‘Alliance of Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Efforts’ is a United Collaboration of Consulate General of Pakistan in Houston, and Pakistani & Muslim Organizations, including the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA) South Texas Chapter, Houston Karachi Sister City Association (HKSCA), Islamic Society of Greater Houston (ISGH), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA Relief) and Pakistan Association of Greater Houston (PAGH). Further the effort is supported by Mr. Amir Makhani & the Pakistani Community of Greater Dallas, Greater Houston Retailers Charitable Foundation (GHRCF) and House of Charity.

More than 9 Trillion Gallons of water have come down. Such a long spell of rain has rarely happened in cities across the globe and this fourth largest metropolis of USA, Houston- which is called the City of Bayous. The city has been totally devastated and if rains continue till Thursday a huge humanitarian catastrophe can happen.

While several people have been rescued from the floods in and around Houston, many have also died. Houstonians are requesting all Americans and Humanity across the globe to pray for this very diverse city, where US Immigrants from almost 90 different countries reside.

On the basis of experience of responding to many other disasters in the past, and as per how things are right now, it has been projected a huge response will be needed by Houstonians.

For this purpose, this generous support of $50,000 by S.Javaid Anwar will be used well through a collaborative effort of the ‘Alliance of Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Efforts’.

The collaborating organizations have already started to make food distribution centers all around the town, including the Pakistan Center and ISGH Shelters, where two weeks of food packages will be distributed shortly to deserving communities. Supply shelters are also being established within the city to distribute items including blankets, towels, clothes, and diapers.

Other efforts include ICNA Relief‘s $250,000 Fund, APPNA‘s fund of $100,000 and ISGH‘s fund for Hurricane Harvey Aftermath Recuperation Efforts.

ICNA Relief and APPNA are both appealing nationwide to the Muslim communities of various cultural backgrounds in the US, as well as in Houston, to play an important role in these endeavors; so as to serve our fellow neighbors.

Usually the Government’s First Responders and Coast Guards work on rescue and assistance efforts- but since this is a long term rain event, these rescue efforts will continue and may span over multiple days.

Many volunteers and much financial help are needed so that we can serve our fellow Americans, for this I suggest visiting the following collaborating organizations:

ICNA Relief

APPNA

ISGH