US mosques open doors to shelter Harvey survivors

As flooding from Tropical Storm Harvey drives thousands of people from their homes across southeast Texas, more and more houses of worship are opening their doors to evacuees. At least four Houston-area mosques, all affiliated with the Islamic Society of Greater Houston, are currently serving as 24-hour shelters. One of them is the Brand Lane […]

As flooding from Tropical Storm Harvey drives thousands of people from their homes across southeast Texas, more and more houses of worship are opening their doors to evacuees.

At least four Houston-area mosques, all affiliated with the Islamic Society of Greater Houston, are currently serving as 24-hour shelters.

One of them is the Brand Lane Islamic Center in Stafford, in suburban southwest Houston.

The mosque probably has enough room and resources to take care of another 100 people, Chatriwala said. The center sits on 10 acres, less than six miles from the nearest floodwaters, and includes a mosque and a school.

Many of the people who are seeking shelter there are from nearby Sugarland, Texas.

He said the community has been generous with donations, bringing everything from hot food and clothes to toys and books for kids. Once people found out the centre was serving as a shelter, word spread quickly on social media and donations started to pour in, he said.

More nearby mosques, about 17 or 18, will be opened as shelters as soon as they become more accessible, said Mohammad Amin Moola, the Islamic Society’s vice president. (CNN)