Muslims Host Blood Drive in Remembrance of 9/11
The 10th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11 is not only a day of remembrance for the Muslim congregation of the Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino, California, it was also a day of giving.
“We started this effort in response to what happened to our country some 10 years ago. The idea was, how can we commemorate those lives that we lost? We decided we would launch the idea that for the 3,000 lives that were lost we want to pay back by collecting blood to save 30,00 lives,” said Imran Jattala, the Vice President of a local Ahmadiyya Muslim Community chapter.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has launched a nationwide campaign called “Muslims for Life”. Their goal is to spread the message that Islam values the sanctity of life. They are also hosting blood drives during the month of September to honor the victims of 9/11.
“We just want to be a part of the anniversary. It was indeed a very touchy and sad day for all of us and we remember it and we wanted to be a part of it,” Naila Ahmed, a member of the Baitul Hameed congregation.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is an international organization with branches in more than 195 countries. They endeavor to promote a positive view of Islam and their Muslim beliefs.
“We are trying to convey the message of peace. Muslims are loyal to this country … We firmly believe that you must be loyal to your country,” said Asim Ansari, president of the Inland Empire branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Several people from the community who gave blood today said that they believe the message of peace coming from the Ahmadiyya Muslims is being well received.
“When we saw the opportunity to give blood at the Chino Mosque we thought what a great way to do something for the community and participate with another community in doing something on the anniversary of 9/11,” said Stephanie Varonon-Hughes, a blood donor and student at Claremont School of Theology.
“My hope is that people everywhere will see that we’re all peoples of the human family and we all have precious priceless worth as human beings and to come together with a passion to serve one another and to love one another,” said David Pecneur, a blood donor at today’s drive.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will host another blood drive at the Baitul Hameed Mosque on September 30, 2011. They are also continuing to spread their message of peace throughout the Inland Empire and across the world.
“This blood drive goes a long way in saying that through our actions we want to prove that Islam is for sanctity of life and for saving life,” Jattala said.
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