HONOLULU -- Muslims in Hawaii have launched a fundraising drive for the victims of the South Asia earthquake that left more than 30,000 people dead.

KITV accepted an invitation to be present at a special gathering of the Muslim Association of Hawaii at the Muslim mosque in Manoa.

Muslims gathered in Manoa to pray in the sacred month of Ramadan. It is the month of forgiveness, the month to draw closer to Allah. Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. They prayed at the mosque before breaking their fast. On Monday night, they prayed for the earthquake victims.

Khan is from Pakistan. He has family there and knows the stricken area well. He is one of perhaps 300 Pakistanis in Hawaii among about 1,500 Muslims.

For Khan the pictures of the damage are especially meaningful.

"Communications is very difficult over there. Transportation is not good over there. So, they require immediate help," Khan said. "It is most important to help them. To immediately help them."

It is not the first fundraising effort by the Muslim Association of Hawaii. They recently raised $65,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Those who want to make donations to the association's drive for the Pakistan victims you can call 947-6263, or go to its Web site at IIO.org.