Washington, October 14, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – American Muslim groups have pledged $20 millions in aid for the victims of the of the devastating Asia earthquake.

In a press conference Thursday, October 13, the American Muslim Taskforce for Disaster Relief (AMTFDR) also sent a letter to US President George W. Bush, calling for forming an ad-hoc committee to offer coordinated relief to the quake victims, according to the US Department of State's information bureau.

"AMTFDR pledge effort is a cooperative attempt by the American Muslim community to provide relief in the most efficient and most abundant manner possible for the brothers and sisters of humanity that have suffered as the result of the significant earthquake in South Asia," Ahmed Younis, director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, told the conference.

More than 30,000 people were killed and 47,000 others injured when a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck the Indian subcontinent Saturday, October 8, wiping entire villages throughout the area, particularly in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

The killer quake has also left at least 3.5 million people homeless.

Sayyid Syeed, the secretary-general of the Islamic Society of North America, said that American Muslims are keen to help the quake-hit people, especially during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

"Muslims are in the mood of giving and will be especially motivated to respond to relief efforts during Ramadan, he said.

He stressed that the Asia quake was a horrible tragedy, however, it has created an excellent opportunity to improve the American image in the Muslim world.

"The AMTFDR is most qualified to establish bridges between the Muslim world and America."

A similar sentiment was echoed by Younis, who said that the donation pledge "really underscores the importance of the charitable organizations of the American Muslim community."

The killer quake has also left at least 3.5 million people homeless. (Reuters)

The American Muslim groups also sent a letter to Bush, calling for forming an ad-hoc committee grouping US governmental and American Muslim non-governmental relief agencies to offer coordinated relief to the quake victims.

The groups further urged the American people to join the relief efforts for the quake victims.

Chairman of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) said he is "very much confident that the whole America will respond, as they've responded to previous national and international tragedies."

The devastation scale of the Asia earthquake has shocked the international community, triggering has triggered an immediate relief and rescue drive across the globe.

The AMTFDR, originally formed as a response to Hurricane Katrina, is joining earthquake relief efforts by mobilizing its member organizations into a permanent coalition.

Member organizations include Hidaya Foundation, North American Islamic Trust, Indian Muslim Relief Committee, Islamic Relief Worldwide, ICNA Relief, Kind Hearts, Life for Relief and Development, Islamic Society of Greater Houston and Zakat Foundation.