Hand to Hands a Muslim Faith Based Organization is Bringing Disaster Relief and Support to Hurricane Katrina Victims in Texas

Hand to Hands a Muslim Faith Based Organization is Bringing Disaster Relief and Support to Hurricane Katrina Victims in Texas

Hand to Hands is a non profit, social service agency dedicated to helping uplift the social and economic status of women and children. The organization is providing direct contributions to Hurricane Katrina victims by bringing care packages and emotional support. "Our Volunteers are heartbroken at the devastation suffered by families as a result of the Hurricane and we are proud to offer our aid to them," said Sheereen Begum, Hand to Hands President.

The organization, which has members throughout the US and Canada, convened an emergency meeting in the wake of the storm and within days nearly a dozen representatives were en route to Houston.

"We are serving families whose needs may not be met by other social service agencies. We truly look forward to extending a hand to all of humanity," said Sheereen Begum.

The group prepared care packages of food, clothing, toiletries, blankets and some medical supplies. "As a Muslim American group, we realize that there may be Muslim families in ravaged areas who may have lost religious items such as Holy Qurans and Islamic clothing. We are working in conjunction with the larger agencies there, however no other agency can offer religious support as we can," said Tahirah Jabir of Ahamadabad, Red House, VA.

The volunteers arrived in Houston from all over the US on Saturday. The ladies are Sheereen Begum, President and Fatimah Shakur, both from Odem (Aliville), GA, Malikah Ahmed, Fatimah Dawood and Bushrah Abdul Matin all from York (Holy Islamville), SC. Members of the group who reside in Greater Houston who will also be assisting with the effort are Yasmin Abdul Atheem, Hashimah Abdul Haqq and Jawairriyah Abdullah to name a few. "We will work for a few days and then will be relieved by another group of volunteers from New York, Canada, Virginia and the Caribbean," said Jabir.

Hurricane Katrina hit the US Gulf Coast just outside the city of New Orleans on August 29 and swept devastation through the area with winds of up to 145 mph. Texas officials estimate about 100,000 Louisiana residents are staying in hotels and motels across the state and another 140,000 are being temporarily housed in 140 shelters throughout the state from the Houston Astrodome to El Paso.

Hand to Hands, a division of Banaat Tun Noor International Inc., in conjunction with the Muslim Scouts of America has been serving those in need world wide for more then twenty years. Recent relief efforts include aiding victims of the 2004 Tsunami and victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The group is committed to responding to victims of catastrophic events.

Contributions or donations toward this and other humanitarian efforts can sent to: Hand to Hands Social Service Agency, P.O. Box 1082 Binghamton, New York, 13903.