(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/9/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today encouraged mosques nationwide to offer funeral prayers for those impacted by the earthquake centered in Turkiye and Syria following the regular congregational prayers (Jummah) on Friday.
That funeral prayer, called salat al-ghaib (sa-laat-al-guy-ib), or “prayer for those who have died in a distant place,” is for those who have died but may not have anyone to perform the funeral service.
Yesterday, CAIR urged the American public and the Biden administration to increase support for the efforts of humanitarian aid organizations helping victims of the earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria as the death tolls continues to rise.
CAIR also encouraged mosques to call on their congregations to support aid efforts for earthquake victims.
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked southeastern Turkiye and northwestern Syria on Monday. As of today, the death toll has risen to almost 20,000.
[NOTE: Do NOT send donations for earthquake victims to CAIR, which does not collect or distribute humanitarian aid]
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“We encourage mosques across America to use Jummah prayers as an opportunity to pray for victims of the earthquake in Turkiye and Syria. Many victims have loved ones to offer the funeral prayer, but some may not due to the loss of entire families at one time. Along with aid for the living, we ask our nation’s mosques to offer prayers for members of the ummah lost during this tragedy.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com