|
Red Cross Volunteer and Islamic Center Member
Leads Efforts
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
After many people in the community were affected by last
week’s tornadoes, members of the Waterloo Islamic Center
were immediately moved to action, despite the fact that
they hadn’t been personally impacted by the storms.
“We should feel blessed and fortunate,” said Malik
Ahmad, a member of the Islamic Center, “But, we also
feel the pain of our neighbors. It can happen to
anybody.”
As part of their first week’s efforts at raising funds,
Ahmad, and Imam Fahmy of the Waterloo Islamic Center
presented the Red Cross with a $3,750 check to support
the people of Black Hawk and Butler Counties.
Malik Ahmad Connects Red Cross and Islamic Center
Ahmad is no stranger to helping others. As a young boy
in the United Arab Emirates, his family was involved
with the International Red Crescent Society. So, it was
second nature for Ahmad to contact the Hawkeye Chapter
of the American Red Cross, upon settling in Waterloo in
2003.
Now a longtime volunteer of the Hawkeye chapter, with
multiple disaster assignments under his belt – including
local fires and floods as well as multiple hurricanes in
Florida and Katrina - Ahmad understands what it takes to
support people whose lives have been torn apart by a
disaster, big or small. During his years of volunteer
service, he has been dedicated to helping others
understand the Red Cross role in the community and,
working to get them engaged with the local chapter.
Disaster Strikes
On his way to the airport when the tornado hit
Parkersburg, Ahmad turned his car around, contacted the
Hawkeye Chapter and headed to Aplington where he was the
first Red Cross volunteer to arrive on the scene. Ahmad
quickly set up a shelter for the local residents
displaced by the storm and was there for the first week
as people sought refuge following the traumatic event.
A leader by example, Ahmad recognized and acted on what
was needed most. As he checked people in, managed his
volunteer staff and listened to the heartbreaking
accounts of lives literally blown to pieces, he also
began to connect with members of the Muslim community to
alert them to what was needed for anyone who needed it.
“No matter which faith you belong to, we all may need
help sometime,” said Ahmad. “Humanity is the common
faith for all people.”
Islamic Center Pledges Future Support of the Hawkeye
Chapter
Wednesday’s donations from the Islamic Center to the
Hawkeye Chapter will be directed toward the Iowa
Tornadoes.
“We wanted to find the best organization to contribute
our funds to and the Red Cross is one of the very first
that came to mind. Ahmad told us of the Red Cross
efforts and internationally everyone knows of the Red
Cross,” said Fahmy.
The Islamic Center plans to continue its support of the
Hawkeye Chapter, as they understand the need to continue
the vital programs and services always available through
the local Red Cross and the need to be ready for the
next disaster.
“I hope we should be involved with big calamities, but
we would love to be invited to help those who need
assistance and call on our young people, like Malik, to
offer their services to help the community through the
Red Cross,” said Fahmy.
###
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE
RED CROSS RESPONSE TO THIS DISASTER-click here
STORIES FROM THE FIELD:
RED CROSS HELP COMES "IN EVERY
WAY, SHAPE, AND FORM"-click here
RESTING IN THE RED CROSS
KITCHEN-click here\
SURVIVOR DIRECTS DONATIONS
TO RED CROSS-click here |
