Originally Published in The Express-Times, Lehigh Valley Edition and The Morning Call
Eleven years have passed, yet memories of the horrific event remain fresh. On Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 American civilians were killed. The mastermind professed Islam as his religion, even though we read in the Holy Quran, “whosoever killed a person … it shall be as if he had killed all mankind.” Indeed, Islam’s teachings were hijacked that day.
We all condemned the barbaric act in words, but the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA went a step further. In seeking to demonstrate the true Islamic teaching that all life is sacred, the community sought to honor 9/11 victims in action. Last year, it launched a nationwide blood drive campaign, Muslims For Life (muslimsforlife.org) that brought together Christians, Jews, Muslims and people of all faiths in raising 10,000 bags of blood from across the country.
This year it seeks to build upon last year’s success by urging all Americans to give blood to help collectively save over 33,000 lives. With the nation’s blood supply at critical levels, urgent action is needed. Register for this great cause and come to the Bethlehem Township Community Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday. Stand up to those who took blood by giving your blood.
ASAD CHAUDHRY
Bethlehem
Member, Muslim Writers Guild of America
