WND retracts story about Islamic Relief

WorldNetDaily hereby retracts its Dec. 3, 2004, article titled "College concert for terror-supporting charity," about a California-based charity organization, Islamic Relief. WorldNetDaily regrets any adverse consequences caused by this publication to Islamic Relief and its worldwide founder, Dr. Hanny Al Banna.

Here is what Islamic Relief would like WND readers to know about the organization:

Islamic Relief, a 20-year-old humanitarian organization, strives to alleviate the suffering, hunger, illiteracy and diseases worldwide without regard to color, race or creed and to provide aid in a compassionate and dignified manner. It aims to provide rapid relief in the event of manmade or natural disasters. In addition, it establishes development projects in needy areas to help tackle poverty, illiteracy and disease at a local level.

IR's charitable projects extend to almost 30 countries around the world, including El Salvador, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kashmir, Kenya, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mauritania, Sierre Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Yemen. The crisis in the Sudan, which the United Nations estimates has caused 50,000 deaths and the displacement of 1.2 million people since 2003, is a top priority for the Islamic Relief offices. The charity operates three camps in Darfur in cooperation with the U.N. Most recently, Islamic Relief partnered with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to send an air cargo chartered plane filled with 160,000 pounds of emergency materials to Indonesia to aid the tsunami victims.

In addition to its international relief activities, Islamic Relief recognizes the importance of providing needed assistance on a local level. The local projects which IR helps support include a homeless feeding program, and a free medical clinic in underserved areas of Los Angeles.