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Kelowna's Muslim community collects donations for earthquake victims

Fundraising after quake

The Muslim community in Kelowna has come together to collect donations for earthquake survivors in Turkey and Syria.

A 7.8 magnitude quake, which was followed by strong aftershocks, has levelled thousands of buildings across southeastern Turkey and parts of neighbouring Syria. The death toll has surpassed 11,000 and is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue.

Stories of rescues continued to provide hope that some people still trapped might be found alive. A crying newborn still connected by the umbilical cord to her deceased mother was rescued in Syria on Monday. In Turkey's Kahramanmaras, rescuers pulled a 3-year-old boy, Arif Kaan, from the rubble.

On Tuesday, the Canadian government said it will contribute $10 million to earthquake relief efforts.

In Kelowna, the BC Muslim Association has started a fundraiser.

"We have often attended to the local and international broader nature of humanity calls and disasters like this. As Muslims, it is part of our faith that we standby on such devastating incidents," said Hamid Butt, a member of the Kelowna Islamic Centre and BC Muslim Association.

"The BCMA covers a broad range of islamic centres in B.C. Our head office coordinates where and how the funds will be distorted," Butt added.

To donate, click here.

-with files from The Canadian Press



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