Helping Orphans

Report from Aceh-Relief Work

By Mustafa Kamal                                              January 6, 2005

This is the latest information that I could share with all of you. This is first hand information from the Achehnese students who study in Malaysia, currently in Acheh helping the relief operations. Muslim orphans who have been saved and flown to Medan (a city about 500 km away from the disaster area) and Muslims must not go there 'just to help'. We need to help these children and provide homes for them. We only have small resources. This is a mission that is not only

humanitarian in nature but also da'wah in nature. I would suggest CAIR, IMRC, or any other groups to work with Bulan Sabit (Red Crescent), headed by leaders who are known to be 'daie' (Islamic propagators). They are known to be very sincere and also super honest. If the Muslim US groups already have groups that can achieve this 'dual' purpose, then it is fine inshaa Allah. In addition this Bulan Sabit (Red Crescent) Society is also a world renowned group that exists in many countries in the world.

The latest list of required goods (forgive me if there are repeats from the first list):  i. Medicine: cholera, flu, skin, cough, vitamins, anti malaria ii. surgical masks, latex gloves iii. underwears iv. sanitary pads v. cereal, baby food vi. cleaning liquid:dettol etc.

I will inshaa Allah try to find out the prices of goods in Medan/Indonesia or Malaysia to be sent there. I will try to get them from Muslim manufacturers/suppliers to save cost and time.

Also, according to the Indonesian Ambassador to KL he expects the death toll to be around 400,000+!

Communication is the biggest problem here now that hampers the relief work.

They haven't really surveyed the most remote areas yet and yesterday, there was news that even three islands were basically wiped out from the map because of this tsunami. And at least around 200,000 of the inhabitants are gone... they do not know where the people are now!! Please feel free to contact me for clarification. And may Allah bestow His forgiveness on all who have suffered and strengthen their faith in this testing period, Ameen.

Mustafa Kamal can be contacted at  +6019-3211852 Brother Amir from Malaysia is contributing directly to Jamaah Islam Malaysia

(JIM), International Committee. They are also liasing directly with Red Crescent and another group in Indonesia .