(10/27/2004) The Islamic Supreme Council of America and its Chairman, Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani were privileged to host the Honorable Andrew Natsios, Administrator of the US Agency of International Development (USAID) at ISCA’s headquarters in Burton, Michigan this Wednesday, October 27, 2004.
Mr. Natsios met with community members and leaders to discuss the President’s broad initiatives which allocate billions of dollars in aid and economic development funds for largely Muslim-populated countries of the Middle East and North Africa. Mr. Natsios described the US assistance efforts in Darfur, which exceeds $300 million dollars and equals half of all aid entering the region from the entire world. He also explained that over 50% of the entire development fund of USAID of $14 billion is allocated to Muslim-majority countries and represents a budget doubled in this Administration.
The many community leaders present were surprised to hear so much money has been allocated to the Muslim world. Commenting on Mr. Natsios’ visit, ISCA chairman Shaykh Kabbani said, “We are surprised these good works are never brought up in the media. They are helping from Africa, all the way to the Far East, passing through the Middle East and the Sub-Continent. This aid goes to local NGOs, for schools, hospitals, road-building, and in particular educating young girls and assisting them in finding decent work. We can’t help but feel relief to see our tax money going for such good causes.”
ISCA applauds USAID’s ongoing efforts to assist the underdeveloped world, particularly its efforts in revolutionizing agricultural methods, resulting in the elimination of hunger in many parts of the world.