DEARBORN—The
Muslim community of Michigan is stepping forward with a contribution to support
Detroit residents who are facing hardship from water shut offs. The Michigan
Muslim Community Council (MMCC) in partnership with Islamic Relief USA (IR USA)
–the largest Muslim charity organizations in the United States – is giving
$100,000 to help the people of Detroit. 

 Over
60,000 households in Detroit have faced the risk of water shut off creating
great hardship for many. The grant will be divided evenly between the Detroit
Water Fund in partnership with United Way of Southeastern Michigan and Wayne
Metro Community Council, to be used in direct assistance to disadvantaged
Detroit families struggling to maintain their water utilities or recover from
water damage due to recent floods.  

MMCC
and IR USA hope that this grant will encourage others to come forward with
assistance since there is still great need.

The
grant is part of a concerted effort by metro-Detroit Muslims to contribute to
the city’s revitalization since Detroit has been an important part of American
Muslim history and is recovering from difficult economic times. Other
initiatives include: the Huda clinic, which provides free medical and dental
clinic to everybody; Zaman International, which provides food and material
assistance to at risk-women and children; DREAM (Detroit Revitalization
Engaging American Muslim), which reclaims and renovates homes for disadvantaged
families; and the Ramadan Fight Against Hunger Food Drive and Oedhiya project,
which distributes several tons of food and meat annually to local food banks
and community centers.   

Islamic
Relief USA had provided disaster relief teams to metro-Detroit to help with
recent Detroit flooding, and has partnered with local groups to offer Disaster
Assistance Relief Training (DART) to residents in order to have a group of
trained individuals who can help  if future disasters strike this area.
  Muzammil Ahmed, chairperson of MMCC, says that, “We hope that our
example of helping the city will inspire others to step forward and be a part
of Detroit’s revitalization.”  

Detroiters who owe
up to $2,000 on their water bills could be eligible for as much as $500 in
matching funds to help pay the bill.

A partnership
called the Detroit Water Fund between the Detroit Water and Sewerage Co. and
United Way of Southeastern Michigan announced Tuesday it has expanded the
eligibility for matching funds for Detroit residents behind on their bills.
About 30,000 Detroiters have outstanding balances of $2,000 or less, according
to the department. To confirm eligibility for the match, call 313.267.8000. To
apply online for help, go to www.DetroitWaterFund.org.