FORT WORTH, Texas - It's hard to find a bright spot in the horror caused by Hurricane Katrina.

But in a lot of cases, religious differences are being set aside to help those affected by the catastrophe.

Muslims are joining Christians, Jews and people of other faiths in trying to help more than 1 million people displaced by the storm and consequent flooding.

Recently I found myself at two prayer services - one Christian and one Muslim. At the historic First Christian Church in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, I joined others in praying for those devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

"Our nation is in pain," said the Rev. Tom Plumbley, the church's senior minister. "We have work to do as a community - as an entire people."

During the noonday service, United Methodists, Presbyterians, members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and others pledged money and time to help hurricane victims.

A few minutes later I was at the Islamic Association of Tarrant County, Texas, Mosque, where Muslims bowed toward Mecca and prayed for those affected by Katrina. In the foyer, where worshippers removed their shoes, several men dropped donations into a large box marked "Hurricane Relief." Mosque President Farid Saiyed of Colleyville, Texas, said local Muslims are donating diapers, clothing, food, water and other items. They are also contributing money, and many are volunteering a day of their time to help those affected by the storm.

Abdur Abbasi of Arlington, Texas, board chairman of the Fort Worth mosque, told me about Muslims who loaded $7,000 worth of water into an 18-wheeler in Irving, Texas, and sent it to hurricane refugees. Islamic Relief USA said in a news release that it is allocating $2 million in hurricane aid. American Muslims meeting this week in Chicago at the 42nd annual Islamic Society of North America convention established a Muslim Hurricane Relief Task Force and pledged to raise $10 million for hurricane relief.

Muslims in other parts of the world also are calling for aid to America. Ali H. Aslan, a columnist in the Zaman daily newspaper in Istanbul, Turkey, said it was time for Muslims to get involved with hurricane relief.

"It should not be forgotten that Americans have helped Muslims alone in many disasters," he wrote. "The record donations made by the American nation and the private sector for the tsunami in South Asia exceeded $1 billion. ... Don't say the U.S. is the richest nation in the world. Why does it need our help? The smallest help, even a kind gesture, can be much appreciated in disaster times."

Here's a look at what members of other faiths are doing to aid those affected by the storm:

Bishop Kevin Vann, the recently consecrated head of the 28-county Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth, called for prayers and a special collection for victims of the hurricane.

The Church of Jesus Christ, Latter-day Saints, (Mormons) sent 14 truckloads of tents, sleeping bags, bottles of drinking water and 5-gallon gas tanks from the Bishops' Central Storehouse in Salt Lake City.

Southern Baptists, both moderate and conservative, were among the first to send disaster relief teams into affected areas. They have more than 1,200 volunteer workers in areas affected by the hurricane working with Texas Baptist Men disaster relief teams and other groups.

Also, the Baptist General Convention of Texas allocated $1 million for hurricane relief.

One of Fort Worth's largest congregations, the 10,000-member First United Methodist Church, has launched a multi-phase campaign to help victims of the hurricane. The church's Fifth Street Festival, originally planned to benefit the church's mission to the needy, will now benefit hurricane victims. Entertainers Sara Hickman, Brave Combo and others will perform at the event Sept. 24.

Also, church members who donate to the hurricane relief will see their contributions matched up to a total of $100,000 by the Hesta Stuart Christian Charitable Trust, according to the Rev. Tim Bruster, senior minister.

National Jewish groups are collecting funds, and Israel is sending medical supplies, military rations and rescue teams to Louisiana. Jewish congregations across the nation, including those in Tarrant County, are offering special prayers and collecting hurricane relief funds.

In a day when faith too often divides rather than unites, it is heartening to see churches, mosques, temples and synagogues joining together to alleviate the terrible misery caused by Hurricane Katrina.

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(Jim Jones writes for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Write to him c/o the Star-Telegram, P.O. Box 1870, Fort Worth, TX 76101.E-mail: jjones.12(AT)charter.net)

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(c) 2005, Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

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AP-NY-09-14-05 0617EDT