Source/Credit: Staten Island Advance
By Marissa DiBartolo | October 20, 2011
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - A teaching of Islam states, "Whoever saves the life of one person is as if he has saved the life of all of humanity." The Wagner College Muslim Student Association (MSA) helped to save the lives of 30,000 people yesterday afternoon when they held a blood drive on the Grymes Hill campus.
The event was part of a national project called "Muslims for Life," a project dedicated to honoring the 3,000-plus lives lost in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "Muslims for Life" plans to collect 10,000 units of blood nationwide which will be used to save 30,000 lives.
Organized to honor the lives lost on 9/11 after the 10th anniversary, "Muslims for Life" is cosponsored by the American Red Cross and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, the first American-Muslim organization.
Staten Islander and Wagner junior chemistry major Bareah Alam is a member of MSA on Wagner's campus, and dedicated her time and energy to organizing the event for the past three months. "I may have spent more time planning this than doing my school work, but that's OK, I'll bounce back," she said.
According to Ms. Alam, the "Muslims for Life" organization will help to shed a positive light on the religion of Islam and lessen the prejudices against the Muslim community that came about as a result of the 9/11 attacks.
"This campaign intends to show that Islam promotes the sanctity of life that is common to all religions and to convey the true, peaceful teachings of Islam," she explained.
Noor Hussain, a junior history major and president of MSA at Wagner added, "This is great because it shows that Muslims aren't all terrorists. ... It is showing people that we don't support terrorism and Al- Qaeda."
Senior Kevin Austin considers himself to be a "regular donor" when it comes to giving blood, but also supports the "Muslims for Life" project. "I think this is a great community action to combat those prejudices against the Muslim faith," he explains.
In an e-mail sent out to the student body promoting the blood drive, it was specifically indicated that "you do not have to be Muslim to participate in this blood drive!"
Elizabeth Pesce was on her way back from an exam when she stopped into Foundation Hall to give blood. "I support and love the fact that those of us who are in faith for the right reasons can actually be unified," she said. (Staten Island Advance/Marissa DiBartolo)
Elizabeth Pesce, a practicing Christian, was on her way back from an exam when she stopped into Foundation Hall to give blood. "I support and love the fact that those of us who are in faith for the right reasons can actually be unified," she explains.
"We are concerned about the well being of everyone, not just our fellow Muslims," Ms. Hussain added.
Wagner College Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Lily McNair made an appearance at the event. "I think this event shows how the Muslim Student Association is so connected to our community and to our world," she said. "This event is to provide life, and what better way to show compassion and commitment than to organize something like this."
Read original post here: Muslim students' blood drive honors the dead of 9/11
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