Community Assistance
PRESS RELEASE [closed]
Contact
Dr. Mohammad Arozullah
Chair, BAFI Community Assistance Fund
Tel. 301 384 3431
Mr. Shawkat Hossaini
Treasurer, BAFI Community Assistance Fund
Tel. 301 603 1371 |
 |
Washington, DC - August 1, 2006: The Bangladeshi-American Foundation, Inc. (www.bafi.org) seeks financial support from community members across the country to help a severely distressed Bangladeshi-American family. In a tragic car accident in Virginia this past Sunday evening, two Bangladeshi-Americans died (Inna … rajun) and four others are undergoing operations and are in critical conditions. Further details of this accident and the current status as of 9pm today are provided below.
The family needs our prayers and financial support at this critical moment. The morgue cost of just one family member, who is to be flown to Bangladesh on Friday, is alone US$4,100. We ask you to keep this family in your prayers and provide financial support so that they can cope with the double tragedy – death and the associated costs.
BAFI will pay the morgue directly and is looking to you for your generous financial support. Please make your check payable to BAFI, write “Noorjahan” in memo and mail to:
C/O Mr. Shawkat Hossaini, 2217 Deckman Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20906, USA.
Alternatively, you can make direct deposit in the US at any Citibank branch to account # 17956981 or send wire transfers through ABA # 254070116 and account # 17956981. We ask that if you take this approach, then please send us an email at Probashiusa98@hotmail.com.
All donations of $200 or more will receive a receipt. If your address has changed, please correct this on the check.
The accident and current status
A happy family was returning home on July 30, 2006, after visiting relatives in Maryland. Forty-seven year old Raju was driving the vehicle and had with him his 67-year old mother (Nurjahan Begum), his wife (Biva), 5-year old daughter (Atia), 17-year old son (Biraj) and an 16-year old (Anika Yusufjan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Atiqur Rahman Salu of New Jersey).
Raju and his family members stopped for some grocery, and on the way home the car hit a light post on Reston Parkway in Northern Virginia. The driver and all five passengers were taken to hospitals – Biraj was rushed to Reston Hospital, Biva and Raju were taken to Washington Hospital and the rest to Fairfax Hospital.
The elderly Nurjahan Begum, sister of journalist Harun Chowdhury of Virginia, was flown to Fairfax Hospital, but she was pronounced dead on arrival. Anika’s two legs were severely smashed and later died at the hospital on Monday. Biraj had a successful operation on his fractured hand and doctors fear he may loose his eyesight. Atia had operation for her injuries and is still recovering. Wife Biva remains in critical condition and is to have surgery tomorrow. Raju had a successful surgery and is recovering.
Janaza for late Nurjahan Begum will be at Darul Huda mosque in Northen Virginia on Thursday after Magrib prayers (around 8:15 PM) and the body sent to Bangladesh on a Friday flight as per family wish.
