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Dear All:
Muslims Must Work Hard to get a Fair share of
the Foreign Assistance
Huge amounts of money is pouring into Sri Lanka.
Going by past experience, Muslims will see very little of this help. There are
well organized Tamil and Sinhalese organizations who have the expertise in
getting hold of the western agencies, attracting their attention and
winning the funds for themselves. Muslims have been left holding the
(empty) bags. I am not referring to the food and medical aid - which has
been supplied adequately by the Muslim organizations to the victims - I am
referring to the Reconstruction Funds.
Muslims have borne the brunt of this tragedy by
way of deaths and property damages, yet, they may not get the funds to
rebuild their life again, if they do not act proactively and in a professional
manner. What we want to see is an equitable distribution of foreign help. This
is the time to put aside religious and ethnic divide and come together as one
humanity. But watching TV reports, the Tamil communities overseas are claiming
almost sole 'victimship' - I have not seen them mentioning about Muslim losses
even in passing, and the media is also conveniently forgetting to mention the
plights of Muslims.
I suggest that Muslims organizations in Sri
Lanka enlist the help of their M.P.'s, Ministers and lawyers and prepare proper
documentation with accurate statistical data, photographs and other
information and present them to foreign agencies charged with the task of
relief efforts, so that Muslims will stand a chance of getting the help they
need so badly.
They must also meet with the Ambassadors of Arab
nations and ensure that funds from them are channelled through Islamic
charities, similar to western aid being channelled through Red Cross and
other Christian organizations.
Immigration To Canada
Canada is opening its doors to people affected
by the disaster - especially relatives of Sri Lankans who are already Canadian
citizens (or immigrants) or those who have no one in Sri Lanka to support except
their Canadian relatives. Muslims must make good use of this opportunity.
Twinning Muslim Towns and
Villages:
In many western countries, some western cities
are being twinned with cities in Sri Lanka and, funds are being raised
specifically to help rebuild that particular Sri Lankan city. Also,
funds can be raised to rebuild a particular city or village in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan Muslims living in the west can make major contributions, if they get
organized. For example, Canadians Muslims of Sri Lankan origin
could get together and decide which
cities they would like to sponsor, and get in touch with their local M.P.s and
also get media publicity and solicit funds from individuals and corporations for
this purpose.
Adoption of Muslim Children:
Many people in western nations (out of the
goodness of their hearts) are coming forward to adopt the orphan children of the
tsunami disaster. Unfortunately, these children will be raised in non-Muslim
homes and they will be denied of their Islamic faith. Muslim organizations must
be vigilant to ensure Muslim children are not allowed to be adopted - they
should provide support for these children locally, so that they are well looked
after by these institutions or by the extended family members. Muslim families
living in the West must take steps to adopt their nephews and nieces in Sri
Lanka.
Pedophiles Lurking Around:
This is open season for pedophiles looking
for children. The helpless orphans can become easy victims. Muslim organizations
will have to be on constant alert and protect these children from these
purveyors.
*************************************************************************** {Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.} (Holy Quran-16:125) {And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33) The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim] The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all." [Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- All views expressed herein belong to the individuals concerned and do not in any way reflect the official views of IslamCity unless sanctioned or approved otherwise. If your mailbox clogged with mails from IslamCity, you may wish to get a daily digest of emails by logging-on to http://www.yahoogroups.com to change your mail delivery settings or email the moderators at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the title "change to daily digest". Yahoo! Groups Links
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