United Muslim Foundation Rabi-ul-Awwal 1430 / March 2009

LAKE MARY FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION WELCOMES
REFUGEE FAMILY FROM GAZA

Lake Mary, FL - Lake Mary faith-based organization United Muslim Foundation (UMF) is welcoming a refugee family at Orlando Regional Airport tonight. The family was evacuated from their home in Gaza by the United States during the last round of attacks on Gaza by Israeli Forces.

UMF has been working with the State Dept for the last few months in helping the mother and her two young children move to the United States. They were living out of a hotel while waiting in Amman, Jordan for almost three months while the US Immigration Dept processed their case. 

The mother is coming to the USA under Humanitarian Parole and has been issued a work permit. The family is relieved that their long wait is finally over and that they are moving to safety and a chance to build a home in Orlando. UMF will be sponsoring the family and has accepted the gracious offer of the Budron family in Oakland to provide housing for several months. 

"We are very excited to finally meet the family," says UMF Executive Director Masuma Kermalli Virji. "It's been a long and emotional journey for all of us and we look forward to making the transition as easy as we can for them."

Many individuals and organizations all over Orlando such as the Arab American Community Center (AACC) and the Orlando Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) have offered to support UMF in their efforts to help the family get acclimated.

Interviews with the family will be accepted by appointment only through UMF. Please contact Masuma Virji at 407-233-6046 for more information.




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United Muslim Foundation
P.O. Box 952934
Lake Mary, FL 32795-2934
Phone: 407-233-6046
Fax: 407-804-9144