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FinalCall.com News
National News
NOI Chief-of-Staff tours relief centers
By Jesse Muhammad
Staff Writer
Updated Sep 20, 2005 - 12:07:00 PM
HOUSTON (FinalCall.com) - Prior to the Sept. 11 arrival of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Millions More Movement delegation, Chief-of-Staff Leonard F. Muhammad arrived to begin the fact-finding mission. He embarked upon an extensive investigation of the relief centers, resources offered, city operations and the pulse of the people. His research would become a valuable asset to the research effort by the Millions More Movement.
Arriving on Sept. 8, Bro. Leonard immediately started working and, accompanied by Southwest Regional Minister Robert Muhammad, attending meetings with city officials. He then hosted an organizing meeting with the Believers of Muhammad’s Mosque No. 45 to discuss strategies on relief efforts, documentation of research and preparation for the arrival of the Millions More Movement delegation.
He also requested research to be conducted on the American Red Cross, Harris County efforts, shelters, chronology of Hurricane Katrina, statements by the Mayor’s Office, and demographics on Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. That information was researched and compiled by Tracie Muhammad into briefing reports for national and regional officials.
On Sept. 9, he visited the George R. Brown Convention Center, where thousands of Katrina survivors flocked daily for assistance. There he attended a mayor’s briefing meeting to receive the latest updates and developments on local relief efforts. He was greeted by several leaders who were interested in working with him. Patrick Trahan, of the mayor’s office, spoke with him to discuss further details of the city’s efforts in assisting Katrina survivors.
Bro. Leonard approached Red Cross stations to inquire about their procedures and encountered evacuees who were being given incorrect instructions on when to pick up their relief benefits after standing in line for hours outside the center. He then spoke with volunteers from “Operation Compassion” who was on site assisting with registration.
At every station, he collected brochures, flyers, business cards and contact numbers in preparation of preparing resource binders so people can be properly educated on what resources are available to them and how to access them. The information he collected was bound and made available at the mosque for victims calling with questions on housing, health, education, vouchers, transporation and other issues. Several frustrated individuals approached Bro. Leonard for assistance and to give their opinion of the convention center operations.
“Everything is a red tape here. They are giving me the run around here,” shared Bonita Donner, while holding back tears. “Everything is going wrong!”
In response to her pain, Bro. Leonard instructed the Fruit of Islam (F.O.I.) to take her contact information and they are presently assisting her in getting a housing voucher to move to Atlanta.
He then went outside the center to greet many of the thousands standing in line for assistance. People shared with him that the American Red Cross was handing out debit cards without telling them the amount on the card and that the deposit transaction was slow. Others flocked to shake his hand and ask for assistance. He spread the word about the arrival of Minister Farrakhan to the city and the people were excited in anticipation of what Minister Farrakhan would say at the town hall meeting.
After leaving the convention center, Bro. Leonard went to visit the Astrodome and Reliant Center to meet with city officials, collect information and speak with survivors. Later, he hosted conference calls in his hotel while meeting with mosque staff on follow- through efforts.
On Sept. 10, Bro. Leonard attended the mayor’s briefing meeting and was invited to join Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX-18) to attend a luncheon with community leaders, where he discussed relief strategies for the thousands of displaced people from the state of Louisiana.
That evening, he conducted a widescale conference call with city officials, clergymen and community leaders. The conference call agenda consisted of updates on city strategies, community involvement, shelters and the town hall meeting.
On Sept. 11, in preparation for the arrival of Minister Farrakhan and the Millions More Movement delegation, Bro. Leonard again visited the George R. Brown Convention Center with Maria Farrakhan Muhammad, Dr. Barbara Skinner and members of the Millions Worker Movement.
