PAL-C Extends Thoughts, Prayers to Victims of California Fires; Encourages Members to Contribute to Relief Effort, Participate in Rain Prayers

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 24, 2007 - The Pakistani American Leadership Center (PAL-C) would like to extend its deepest and most heartfelt thoughts and prayers to those affected by the California fires. At the time of this writing, the fires have consumed nearly 500,000 acres of land and displaced nearly half a million residents in Southern California.

PAL-C also joins the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) in urging its Muslim members and masjids/mosques to offer special Islamic prayers, called Salatul Istisqa (sal-AT-al-istis-KA), which the Prophet Muhammad traditionally offered during times of drought.

In Salatul Istisqa, the Prophet would offer supplications such as: "O God, give us rain that will replenish us, abundant, fertilizing and profitable, not injurious. Grant it now without delay...Send down rain upon us and make it a source of strength and satisfaction...O God, give us a saving rain, good and productive, general and heavy, now and not later, beneficial and not harmful."

The Quran, Islam's revealed text, states: "O my people! Seek forgiveness of your Lord and turn to Him in repentance. He will send you from the sky abundant rain." (Quran, 11:52)

"Americans of all faiths need to offer spiritual assistance to the courageous firefighters who are battling these deadly fires," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad.

PAL-C joins CAIR in requesting masjids/mosques in wildfire areas to offer shelter to fire victims and that financial aid for victims be sent to the American Red Cross.

SEE: American Red Cross Response to Southern California Wildfires  http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/profiles/disaster_profile_CAWildfires.html

The Islamic Shura Council of Southern California and local Islamic centers are organizing the special prayer of Salatul Istisqa at the Islamic Society of Orange County from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Thursday the 25th of October. All area Imams are also requested to dedicate their Friday (Oct 26th) sermons for the same purpose.

Mosques in Irvine and San Diego have opened their doors to welcome evacuees escaping the raging fire.

The Pakistani American Leadership Center (PAL-C) is the only professional Pakistani-American advocacy organization that has an office located on Capitol Hill. It launched the Congressional Pakistan Caucus in May 2004 and works to raise awareness about Pakistani-American interests in Washington policy circles. Our activities include facilitating the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, liaisoning Pakistani officials and the community with Members of Congress, and mobilizing all Pakistani-Americans at the grassroots level. If you wish to learn more about PAL-C, please visit our website www.pal-c.org or email us at info@pal-c.org.

To return to News & Events , please click here