Since NATO forces began their air attack on Yugoslavia on March 24 it is estimated that 500,000+ people, mainly ethnic Albanians, have been displaced and forced to flee Kosova and seek refuge in neighboring Balkan countries. As the conflict ensues, the numbers of displaced Kosovars, mainly women, children, and elderly, will continue to mount.
While daily news reports and graphic images of the refugees of Kosova sink hard into the hearts of people around the world, American Muslims pray for their Muslim brothers and sisters who are fleeing for their lives.
Mosques across the United States are offering sermons and prayers and collecting donations for the Muslims in Kosova."The collection of funds will be forwarded to the Islamic Shurah Council who will make arrangements for it to be given personally to Muslims in Kosova, channeled through Muslim organizations working there," said Abdullah Jeena, Imam of the Jamat-E-Masjidul Islam mosque in Inglewood, California. Jeena said that updates on the crisis in Kosova are given randomly after prayers. The Islamic Shurah Council of Southern California sent out a press release last Friday and also wrote letters to the President and members of Congress expressing the views of Muslims in California. School children at the Al-Najm Islamic School were also informed about the situation in Kosova and were asked to write letters and make donations. "A 9 year-old girl brought $50 from her savings and others also contributed."
The Kosova Task Force in the United States was formed to address the cause of the people of Kosova. The Kosova Task Force is an alliance of 16 national and regional Muslim organizations including the Islamic Shurah Council of Southern California as well as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Circle of North America (ISNA) and many others. One of the projects that the Kosova Task force is working on to promote the cause of Kosova is organizing "100 Rallies in 100 Cities" to be held on April 10 in cities all over the United States. The goal of the rallies is to inform and educate Americans about Kosova. The rallies will address the need for NATO to continue air strikes on Yugoslavia until total Serbian withdrawal is achieved. The rallies are also set to promote negotiations for independence of Kosova, arming the Kosovars to defend themselves, and arresting and trying war criminals.
