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Muslim Group Donates 30,000 Bottles of Water to Flint, Michigan to Alleviate Water Crisis
To help alleviate a water contamination crisis, a Muslim organization has donated 30,000 bottles of water to residents in Flint, MI, according to reports.
The idea of the donation came after President Obama declared the ongoing water crisis a federal state of emergency. The group, Who is Hussain?, collected water from local campaigns and from an online donation fund set up to purchase bottled water.
“We saw what needed to be done and we decided to do it. We reached out to schools, neighbors, friends, mosques, anyone and everyone to help us by donating a case of water, or money towards a case,” Dr. Aziza Askari, a representative for the Michigan chapter of Who is Hussain?, shared with the Washington Times
According to their website, Who is Hussain? is a relief organization that “aims to inspire people through the timeless example of Hussain and bring positive change in the world we live in.” The origin of the groups name comes from the 14th century grandson of the Islamic prophet Mohammad, Hussain ibn Ali. Hussain was killed after being denied water, an “unconscionable crime” in their community. Since then the group actively distributes water and on the anniversary of Hussain’s death, the group fasts in his honor.
Flint is located about an hour away from the city of Dearborn, Michigan. Dearborn has the highest percentage of Muslims in the United States. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the population of Dearborn is more than 29% Arab.
The Flint water crisis has been a growing situation since the city began piping contaminated water to its residents as a way to save money while they waited for a new pipeline to be built. The switch resulted in spiked lead levels in many residents, including children. The water supply has now been rerouted through Lake Huron, yet many residents are still skeptical because of the contaminated pipes.
Fellow Flint native and Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Michael Moore, held a rally in his hometown to draw attention to the situation and demand accountability.
“This is not a mistake,” Moore shared with the Detroit Free Press. “Ten people have been killed here because of a political decision. They did this. They knew.”
