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Rush Of Donations by Barbara Slavin (USA Today)

Posted by Ed and Lois

Gut-wrenching images on television of dead children, mourning survivors and inundated villages have triggered an extraordinary response among charitable organizations, faith-based groups, businesses and communities of U.S.-based immigrants from South Asia.

From Northern California to New Jersey, immigrant communities are rushing to collect money, blankets, canned food and clothing. President Bush and charity groups on Wednesday urged donors to send only money because it can be used to provide aid more immediately.
The United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York has seen a “tremendous expression of support,” says Morris Offit, president of what he calls the largest philanthropic organization in the USA. Offit says it is too early to tally the response to the tsunami but says the group typically raises $200 million a year in the New York City area.

The fact that many of the victims of the tsunami are Muslim has no impact on the group’s donation decisions, he says. He notes the Jewish concept of tzedaka, a Hebrew word that means both charity and justice. “This is an event almost beyond human terms, and we reach out to all people,” he says.

More than 20% of the estimated 5 million Muslims in this country are of South Asian descent, and Shaikh says he expects contributions to pour in to mosques and Islamic centers during weekly prayers Friday. His group also is receiving contributions from non-Muslims, says Shaikh, who suggests that some Americans who might have been wary toward Muslims since the 9/11 attacks are putting aside their prejudices.

“It takes a disaster like this to bring everyone together,” he says.

Full Post: http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2004-12-29-tsunami-aid-cover_x.htm