USA: Muslim Community Spearheads Nationwide Effort to Honor 9/11 Victims Through Blood Donations

"Our hope is to convey to the community in which we live that the face of true Islam is one of tolerance and unity; sponsoring blood drives across the nation in order to save lives is a way to honor and remember those who lost their lives on 9/11 at the hands of those who have defamed the true meaning of Islam." 

Dr. Wajeeh Bajwa, President of the Orlando Chapter
of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Yahoo! Contributor Network
By Rhetta Peoples | August 23, 2011

As we embark on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has launched a nationwide campaign to encourage all Americans to donate blood to save lives. The campaign, "Muslims for Life" has 71 chapters across the country and is charged with the goal of collecting 10,000 units of blood in hopes of saving an estimated 30,000 lives.

Dr. Wajeeh Bajwa, President of the Orlando Chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community said, "We invite all Americans to join us as we collect 10,000 units of blood in the month of September, to demonstrate the true spirit of peace and collaboration - values that we hold dear in this country."

Locally, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has joined forces with the various organizations to host a blood drive to remember the victims of 9/11.


The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is one of the fastest growing international revival movements within Islam. The movement was founded in 1889 in India and covers over 200 countries around the world with membership exceeding tens of millions. Significantly, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe the Messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of the community. According to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad.

The community is a peaceful one believing God sent Ahmad to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace.

Bajwa adds, "The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has, since its founding, upheld the sanctity of all life as emphasized by Islam. The Holy Qu'ran teaches that life is sacred and reaffirms Biblical teaching that whoever unjustly kills a single person is as if he had killed all of mankind; and whoever saves the life of one person is as if he has saved the life of all of humanity."

The community divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam's true and essential teachings.

Bajwa continues, "Our hope is to convey to the community in which we live that the face of true Islam is one of tolerance and unity; sponsoring blood drives across the nation in order to save lives is a way to honor and remember those who lost their lives on 9/11 at the hands of those who have defamed the true meaning of Islam."

Bajwa concludes, "Terrorists caused death and destruction on September 11, 2001, but they also hijacked the faith of Islam by painting a violent, militant picture of the religion. Terrorist extremists have created suspicion of all Muslims, but the truth is that terrorists do not represent Islam or Muslims."

In Orlando, the blood drive will be held Friday September 2 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 9501 Satellite Boulevard, Suite 103 in Orlando. The campaign is expected to take place in 50 cities nationwide.

For more information visit orljamaat.org or call (919) 632-9567 for additional information.

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