Source/Credit: AMJ - UK
By Staff Reporter | February 12, 2011
Ahmadiyya use mosques to save lives
London: Andrew Stunnell, Communities Minister in the UK, has praised an Islamic community’s services to humanity.
Minister Stunnell, made his comments on the occasion of the launch of a new blood donation drive at London’s oldest purpose-built mosque.
As part of their commitment to be of service to country, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is organizing the blood donations, the community announced in a press release.
It is being launched on Thursday 2 February 2012 at the Fazl Mosque (also known as the London Mosque) in Southfields, Putney, the press release further announced.
Andrew Stunell, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government wished the Ahmadī Muslims and their campaign “every success.”
"All faith communities have within their teaching, the values of compassion, care and social justice,” the minister said. “One of the ways that their members put these values into everyday practice is by giving to others."
Minister Stunnell said the Ahmadiyya Muslim community has long served local communities.
“Charity walks have raised over a million pounds and their work with the National Blood Service (NBS) has been running for the past decade.
“With more than 1,200 units of blood collected last year, the target this year is 2,000 units. This is a very valuable, practical initiative to promote social action. I wish your campaign every success."
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community -one of the first Muslim communities in Britain- believes that “giving blood and saving lives is a potent symbol of a life-affirming faith.”
Members of the community have been involved in donating blood to blood banks, and blood centers have been established at a number of mosques across the country. This includes Western Europe’s biggest mosque in Morden and other Ahmadiyya Muslim mosques in Birmingham, east London, Manchester and Glasgow.
The blood donations sessions are open to all, the community said, and have proved popular with local residents.
Fahim Anwer, National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association said that Ahmadi Muslims are committed to the service and benefit of mankind.
“Giving blood helps to save lives, and in this respect it is an act of faith.” Anwer said. “The giving of blood is symbolic of providing lifeblood for humanity.”
Anwer says his youth groups have been working with the National Blood Service for the past decade and since 2003 a number of their centers have become permanent venues as there is a shortage of south Asian donors.
Anwer outlines the location being utilized for the blood collection efforts:
“In London our permanent venues are Fazl Mosque in Putney, Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden, and Baitul Ahad Mosque in Newham. In the Midlands the Darul Barakat Mosque is a permanent fixture whilst in the North we operate Masjid Al Mahdi in Bradford, Darul Aman Mosque in Manchester and Baitur Rehman Mosque Glasgow as blood donation centers.”
Anwer explains the busiest sessions are in London, with the Fazl Mosque being oversubscribed and at least 40% of donors being from outside the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
“More than 15 sessions are held throughout the year as part of our effort to save lives,” Anwer added.
“We are working with the NBS to establish further centers and, apart from this, our youth take part in external sessions," Anwer informed.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is well known for their charitable donations and they also run fundraising programs for many charities and other community work projects.
“We demonstrate our commitment to good citizenship in line with our principle of Love for All Hatred for None,” said the youth president. “As a community, we are dedicated to peace and contributing to the well-being of the country.”
For more information about the blood drive contact Basharat Nazir media@ahmadiyya.org.uk
http://www.loveforallhatredfornone.org
-- UK: Muslims’ Blood Drive Wins Praise from Minister. Ahmadiyya use mosques to save lives.
-- Ahmadiyya Times
-- Edited by Imran Jattala
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