Please join the Global Week of Giving, November 21 to 27 to help the victims of the October Earthquake in Asia. Through Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice, American Muslim Voice asks the community to join them in making personal, sacrificial gifts for relief of the earthquake victims in Pakistan, Kashmir, and India. You are invited to make some small (or big!) changes in your Thanksgiving celebrations and donate the money saved to the cause of earthquake relief.

The week will begin with an overnight vigil at Palo Alto City Hall Plaza beginning at 9pm Tuesday, November 22 and concluding with a press conference at 11am Wednesday, November 23rd. You are invited to join in the vigil for whatever time you are able. Please bring warm clothes and if you plan to spend the night, sleeping bags and tents would help keep you even more comfy through the night.

In giving, keep in mind that $100 will provide a tent to protect a family for the horrible, life-threatening cold each night, $150 will feed a family of six for a month, $500 will provide warm clothing and bedding for a family, $1,500 will rebuild a home (estimate).
A number of relief agencies are working hard in the area. For more information about their work or to donate online see [http://www.unicef.org; UNICEF], [http://www.islamic-relief.com; Islamic Relief]. [http://www.catholicrelief.org; Catholic Relief Services], [http://www.churchworldservice.org; Church World Service], or [http://www.jdc.org; American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee]. Several other organizations are listed at [http://www.amuslimvoice.org; American Muslim Voice].

"Light the night for hope" is the name for the overnight interfaith vigil. Samina Faheem Sundas of American Muslim Voice reflects, "It wasn't in God's plan for us to save the 90,000 lives this devastating earthquake claimed. But there is strength in numbers and together we can raise hope for the 3.5 million survivors who are all in desperate need of insulated tents and clothing to shield them from the harsh, cold winter ahead."

Let the flames from our candles light up the night sky brightly, showing the world that hope still means hope in every faith and in every color.

Where: Palo Alto Civic Center, 250 Hamilton (between
Ramona and Bryant)
When: Tuesday, November 22nd, 2005
Time: 9pm

This vigil will be followed by a press conference held on Wednesday, November 23rd at 11 am.

NOTE: Photograph courtesy [http://www.islamicrelief.com;Islamic Relief]