From the Desk of Mahdi Bray: We Mourn With You

WASHINGTON, DC – Aug. 2, 2007 (MASNET & News Sources) On August 1, 2007, media outlets were rocked as Minneapolis witnessed the collapse of its 8-lane, I-35W bridge, a main artery in the Minneapolis/St. Paul (Twin Cities) area. Reports indicate as many as 30 people missing, 79 or more injured, with the medical examiner's office confirming four fatalities.



MAS Freedom (MASF), as the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society (MAS), offers its condolences to everyone affected by the I-35W bridge collapse, and offers appreciation to Senator Amy Klobuchar, Governor Tim Pawlenty, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Ryback, and Congressman Keith Ellison (reported to be arriving on the scene today), for their quick response and efforts on behalf of those in need during this crisis.



The Muslim American Society's Service Corps (MAS Service Corps.) is urging Muslim community members within proximity of the catastrophe area to organize blood donation drives. Alternatively, community members are encouraged to contact Red Cross centers or Memorial Blood Centers of the Twin Cities area to make an appointment to donate blood.



"Pulling together in this critical time of need is incumbent upon us as a community. Please distribute this announcement widely in order to facilitate assisting as many people as possible," implored MAS Freedom Executive Director, Mahdi Bray.



To offer your support in this time of crisis, please contact the following:



MAS Service Corps

Phone: (319) 892-0256

Email: info@masservicecorps.org

Website: http://www.masservicecorps.org



Red Cross

Phone: 1-800-448-3543

Website: www.givebloodgivelife.org



Memorial Blood Center

(Between 9AM and 9PM)

Address: 3200 Main St., NW, Minneapolis, MN

Phone: (763) 210-0032

or

Address: 737 Pelham Blvd., St. Paul, MN

Phone: (612) 871-6636

Website: http://www.memorialbloodcenters.org/MBC/DesktopDefault.aspx



Memorial Blood Centers are reporting a critical shortage of Type 'O' blood.



Survivors of the bridge collapse are also encouraged to register as 'Safe and Well' at the following address:



Family Assistance Center

Holiday-Inn Metrodome

1500 Washington Ave.

Minneapolis, MN 55454

Phone: (612) 871-7676



So far the Red Cross reports having provided more than 2,000 meals and more than 3,000 snacks to families and first responders on the scene, in addition to providing counselors to provide comfort to those affected by this disaster. If you are unable to give blood please visit the Red Cross website to learn about other ways in which you can help.



Sen. Klobuchar has already announced that up to $100 million in funds for rebuilding and recovery of the 1,900 foot bridge, while Transportation Secretary Mary Peters has announced a $5 million grant to help pay for rerouting traffic patterns around the disaster site.



U.S. government officials have also sent help from the national Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the FBI, the Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency.