Washington, Jan. 11 -- Halil Demir will bring his harrowing story of 30 years in global disaster relief home to Orland Park Prayer Center with a book reading and signing 7 p.m. Thursday, January 23.
Demir's 9 Myths About Muslim Charities tells the riveting tale of launching the Zakat Foundation of America, a tiny Muslim charity with a national name and cosmic dreams, on the eve of a sunny September day in 2001 that would shatter everything.
"Within weeks of setting up Zakat Foundation, just me and a part-time receptionist, Tuesday, September 11 came along," he says. "A blinding flash, something surreal. Suddenly the eyes of every agency, official, and neighbor seemed to pierce my soul.
"It was very frightening and daunting, like the weig...