"Those terrorists hijacked the religion of Islam. They cast the religion and Muslim in a horrific light. We've got to try to give a positive counter to that. All that they did was counter to the teachings of the Koran."
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| SGVN/Staff Photo by Walt Mancini |
Source/Credit: San Gabriel Valley Tribune
By James Figueroa | September 11, 2012
PASADENA - In commemoration of 9/11, a Muslim organization Tuesday held a blood drive at Pasadena City College, looking to honor the lives lost 11 years ago by saving other lives.
The event was a first at PCC, though the national Muslims for Life campaign is in its second year.
The primary goal was to collect 11,000 pints nationally to restore depleted blood supplies. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which organizes the campaign, also hopes to send the message that Islam is primarily a peaceful religion.
"Those terrorists hijacked the religion of Islam," said Ibrahim Naeem, the supervisor of PCC's Community Education Center. "They cast the religion and Muslim in a horrific light. We've got to try to give a positive counter to that. All that they did was counter to the teachings of the Koran."
The campaign partnered with the Associated Students, Providence Health and Services and Kaiser Permanente.
Students stopped by throughout the day to give blood, though many just considered it a good thing to do.
"Everybody should have a part in remembering 9/11, it was a horrible incident that happened, but I donate blood whenever I can," student Margaret Haynes said.
Another students, Victoria Garcia, said she donates blood as often as she can and always feels good afterward.
"I feel like I'm saving lives, whether it's a day to remember or not," she said.
Health organizations are happy to hear that point of view.
Blood supplies often dwindle during the summer, making it particularly important to find more donors, organizers said.
"Its a perfect day to do it," Connie Palazzolo of Providence Health and Services said. "A lot of people are very reflective today and want to really make a difference. It's such an easy way to save people's lives."
The donations at PCC will to go to Los Angeles County hospitals, where blood often has to be brought in from other areas.
james.figueroa@sgvn.com - twitter.com/jfigscribe - 626-578-6300, ext. 4475
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