Source: The Tampa Tribune

On March 29, 2003 The Tampa Tribune reported that "charitable giving is a requirement of the Islamic faith... But with America at war in Iraq and tension escalating worldwide for Muslims, that's an element of the religion rarely portrayed... On Sunday, for the seventh year, about 1,000 Muslims will fulfill their spiritual obligation and provide free food, clothing, toys and medical assistance to the needy at a downtown park. They hope the event will create better community relations and bolster an image tarnished by fundamentalists who commit acts of terrorism in the name of Islam... 'We need to reach people and make them understand that the Muslim community does not endorse some of the extremist ideas that people have elsewhere,' said Husain Nagamia, a Brandon heart surgeon who serves as chairman of the Tampa Bay Muslim Alliance. 'We are moderate people who are good, law-abiding citizens of this country.'"