2m people from Texas, Alabama flee Gulf Coast fearing Gustav

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From Fazle RashidbrNEW YORK, Sep 1 The Hurricane Gustav which is likely to hit American Gulf Coast sometime today has upset the plans of the Republican Party whose national convention was set to begin today. The party has been forced to make major changes jettisoning most part of its four-day convention due to the Hurricane Gustav. 'There is no choice but to cancel much of the first day of the convention,' a Republican party leader said'.brNearly two million people from Texas to Alabama fled the Gulf Coast anticipating a storm that could ripple the entire region. The ferocity of the coming hurricane is expected to be more destructive than the Hurricane Katrina that hit the area a few years ago.brPresident Bush who was scheduled to appear at the Republican Party Convention today has called off his plan. He may not take the stage again.brJohn McCain and his running mate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin may have to accept the party nomination through video. This will of course depend on the extent of damage and destruction to be caused by Hurricane Gustav.brMcCain said We will take off our Republican hats and put on our American hats. The convention planners acknowledge that it could be perilous to continue with the convention as the Gulf Coast braces for the hurricane.brThe hurricane will provide a great opportunity for the Republican Party to rise to the occasion and thus erase the sad image of the previous hurricane when the government response was long in coming.brWith US economy tottering, the hurricane Gustav could create further trouble for the administration. Tagged with an unpopular war, a weak economy and a widely disparaged incumbent, the Republican Party has not felt more beleaguered than at any time since the Watergate scandal (which brought down the Nixon presidency), an analyst in the New York Times (NYT) wrote.brMeanwhile, the Holy month of Ramadan began from today (Sept 1, Monday) in North America and Canada. The Taravih Namaz was offered in all New York mosques last evening. The congregations were largely attended. Usually Islamic scholars from around the world are invited to come to New York to lead the Taravih prayers.br The prayers are true reflection of what is known as the Islamic Ummah. People from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt , Jordan and other Muslim countries join the Congregations.brThe Khutba is delivered in English. There was rush of people at the grocery shops around New York. They bought goods that are integral part of Iftari and Sehri. Puffed and beaten rice, lentil, onion, lemon, sugar, basan, gram and meat were in great demand. The prices are two to five per cent higher than the ones during Ramadan last year.brAll eating houses under Muslim ownership put on sale iftari delicacies like halim, Jillabi, mughlai parata, dahi bara and other common iftari items like beguni, fulari, etc. One thing uncommon about Ramadan here in New York is that Iftari is served in all mosques and few others serve sheri as well. Devotees provide the iftar. So great is the rush that many devotees fail to get a spot in the line-up for serving iftari.brThe Jamaica, Astoria and Jackson Heights area were there are large concentration of Muslims are full of grocery shops and eating houses, all serving halal items.br