Sunday Summary 7/15/07

• Masjid Islam
o I asked the Imam Faruq Abdul Aziz Of Masjid Islam if he would be willing to be entrusted with funds (Sadaqa/Zakat Charity) to disperse to the needy of the community as well as those that come through our office, “Yes, it’s Much Needed”.
o I asked the Imam of the Masjid their status
• Tax Exempt
• Non-Profit
• On the State and Federal level
o Ready to begin Sadaqa/Zakat Charity Program

Adult Education Programs
• Reconsidering the idea of having GED classes at the IR Office
o Various location in the Baton Rouge specifically that offer free GED and Adult education courses
• From assessing the situation transportation is found to be the biggest factor stifling the success of these programs
• I want to provide an Adult School buss/shuttle service for those in the community that want to attend class and benefit from offered courses. This is need I believe we can suffice that helps in one of our missions to combat illiteracy


Gulf Coast Case Study #1
• Miss Elouise Kensey is a native of New Orleans Louisiana, a Katrina victim now residing in Baton Rouge Louisiana. This strong woman already battling leukemia cancer before the storm embarked on her journey the Saturday before the hurricane ripped into the Gulf Coast, “I have custody of my seven grandchildren and had we stayed somebody would have died, a tree fell on the house, we were lucky, blessed however you want to call it.” Due to the destruction left by Katrina and ensuing flood waters returning home was not an option. Miss Elouise and the 7 grandchildren entrusted to her migrated to Texas for three months before returning back a little closer to home in Baton Rouge. “I have been very fortunate and blessed for people to give me things in Texas where I was, the church gave me furniture and money and food and when I got here the Islamic Relief also helped me a lot with food and blankets and pots and toiletries, you know they helped me a lot, things I needed you know because ah sometimes money was short but it always came, things that I needed I always got it.” Since their journey back to Louisiana they have been able to find some stability. Recently moving into a home not far from the two bedroom apartment the 8 of them shared for over a year Miss Eloise recalls how others weren’t so fortunate, “Were doing great right now we’re blessed we lost everything but we gained much more, some people had much worse stories, sad stories but mine is a happy one, I know people who have sad stories, lost family, lost their minds a whole lot of things but I was strong, I made it”. When given the opportunity to speak to those who contribute to the Islamic Relief Gulf Coast compassionate relief effort she said “ THANK YOU (LOL) thank you, just knowing that there is people like you guys to help us was amazing, overwhelming sometimes because a couple of times I was this far (pinching her fingers together) from not having food and it came right in the door you know from you guys and it was just overwhelming sometimes the help that I got, the people the way they respond to our needs it was overwhelming it was great!”

* Miss Elouise oldest grandson a senior in high school took his shahada and is now a practicing Muslim