Islamic Center to Host Iran Quake Aid Benefit Tonight
The Islamic Educational Center of Orange County will hold an emergency fundraiser tonight to collect money for earthquake victims in Iran.
Fatima Saleh, one of the center’s board members, said the fundraiser comes after scores of community members asked how they could help in the wake of Friday’s devastating earthquake in the southern Iranian city of Bam, which killed more than 30,000 people and injured at least 15,000 more.
“We’ve just been inundated with phone calls,” Saleh said. “Not only from people in Orange County, but from outside the state as well.”
The event will begin with a prayer session and feature comments by people who lost family members in the quake. A short video made in Bam after the earthquake will also be shown, Saleh said. She added that the group will accept only monetary donations, since clothing and blankets would be too expensive to send.
Given the large Iranian population in Southern California and the number of phone calls the center has received, Saleh said, she is hoping for a generous response.
“It is unfortunate that it’s under these conditions. We wish [the money] could go to something else,” she said.
The event begins at 7 p.m. at the center, 3194-B Airport Loop Drive, Costa Mesa.
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