Muslims For Life, another branch of the Ahmadiyya Community, runs a Blood Drive campaign in honor of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, resulting in donations of 10,000 pints of blood.
Source/Credit: Sentinel and Enterprise
By Cillea Houghton | March 8, 2012
FITCHBURG -- Members of the Fitchburg chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA gathered in the Ellis White Lecture Hall at Fitchburg State University Thursday night to convey their message of peace on earth and devotion to the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, which started in 1920, is described as a "revival movement within Islam" that has millions of members and claims to be the "leading Islamic organization to reject terrorism."
The organization has built 15,000 mosques, 500 schools, and 30 hospitals, while also aiding in disaster relief and blood drives. The group goes by the motto, "Love for all, hate for none" in their efforts to bring peace through their Islamic teachings.
Fazal Ahmad, who has been part of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for 41 years and is also a member of the Fitchburg chapter, explained some of the background of Muhammad.
The prophet, born in Arabia in 570, was an orphan, known by the people in that time as "gentle, patient, obedient, and full of compassion." He served God passionately and said it was the people's responsibility to love and respect him. In his farewell address, Muhammad proclaimed that "All men - no matter what nation or tribe they may belong to, and no matter what station in life they may hold - are equal...No one has any right, any claim of superiority over another."
Ahmad, who traveled from Bethel, Vt., to attend the event, studied religion during his life.
"I was always fascinated with Islam," he said.
He delved into the religion while volunteering at a prison, when an Ahmadiyya member came to teach the prisoners about Islam. Ahmad revealed why he is so passionate about the religion.
"True Islam is something you can hold on to. It gets in your heart," he said.
He also described the organization as one that aims to serve people and bring sanctity to those in need.
"We try to turn things around for people that are suffering," he said.
One branch of the organization, Humanity First, provides aid after natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina and tsunamis in Pakistan and Indonesia, as well as provided medical services to remote areas. Humanity First is "based on the values and morals of Muhammad: serving God by serving mankind."
Muslims For Life, another branch of the Ahmadiyya Community, runs a Blood Drive campaign in honor of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, resulting in donations of 10,000 pints of blood.
Bashir U. Mehmud, president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Fitchburg chapter, said the chapter got its start seven years ago.
Mehmud wants people to be aware that Muslims believe in spreading peace and creating a more positive world.
"We are against violence, the 9/11 attacks, and suicide bombing. A Muslim is forbidden from suicide bombing," said Mehmud, adding that those who engage in such a vicious act do not receive a funeral. "We are a peace-loving community."
For more information about the organization and its teachings, visit www.muslimsforpeace.org.
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