On August 28, Beliefnet member "eott" began posting about the coming storm in Louisiana. Since then, he's kept the message board community updated on the efforts of his local Islamic center to take in and help refugees.

9/4/2005 7:24 PM
Assalam Alaikum

Just this evening we have gotten 12 apartments for families to move into which is great news, but realize they are moving into the apartments with nothing but the clothes on their backs, so yes we need those things especailly blankets and sheets.

wassalam
your brother in Islam
Edward Ott
Baton Rouge


9/4/2005 4:25 PM
Spent last night getting people to the department of social services food stamp office, they are open 24/7 right now, so that families could get emergency food stamps. the lines are very long here in baton rouge at the office even at 11:30 at night.

a friend called me telling me that the B-quik on perkins road had gas so i was able to get over there and get some, the price is not much higher than it was before katrina but finding it is a problem.

we are at the point of looking for apartments and homes for rent outside of town and even across the river in West baton Rouge Parish. realize we have families here that are living in thier son or daughter's dorm rooms at LSU and Southern.

we are hoping to get them out of these cramped conditions as people are now starting to get on one anothers nerves.

Peace
Edward Ott
Baton Rouge



9/3/2005 5:45 PM
Assalam Alaikum

Right now I have power at my house but many parts of the city are still without power. More refugees are rolling in every day. many of the cab drivers who have thier own cabs are simply applying for thier taxi permits here in Baton Rouge. shop owners are waiting on thier insurance agents, and most of all we are trying to find places for people to live. we have a muslim brother who has been cooking food for the new orleans refugees in his resteraunt everyday. you can send money to ICNA and tell them that it is for hurricane relief.

we need diapers, toothpaste, tooth brushes, soap shampoo and baby wipes most of all. as well as clothes all sizes and for both sexes. anything you can send is helpful.

wassalam
your brother in Islam
Edward Ott
Baton Rouge



8/31/2005 4:48 PM
Assalam Alaikum

Right now we have over two hundred people staying at the Islamic center of Baton Rouge. We are feeding them and housing them we have power so their is air conditioning running around the clock, a great deal of baton Rouge has no power, if you would like to help in any way you can contact us at. Islamic Center of Baton Rouge
820 W. Chimes St.
Baton Rouge, La. 70802
tel# 225-387-3617

Your brother In Islam
Edward Ott
Baton Rouge



8/31/2005 11:31 PM
you [fotojunkie, another Beliefnet member] got electricity, i am still waiting for mine to get back on, we went out for lunch just to get someplace cool. if i did not have power at work i would be completly out of the loop. still trying to find all of my family,my mother's family all live in the new orleans area. we got 200 people staing at the islamic center of baton rouge many of them still in shock.

peace
Edward Ott
Baton Rouge


8/28/2005 9:45 PM
It is very upsetting but katrina a vicious monster which has already killed nine is moving towards new orleans, there is no stopping her al you can do is try to get out of the way.

When Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans on Monday, it could turn one of America's most charming cities into a vast cesspool tainted with toxic chemicals, human waste and even coffins released by floodwaters from the city's legendary cemeteries.

Peace
Edward Ott