Originally published in Seattle Times
Twelve years ago, al-Qaida took nearly 3,000 innocent lives. I was too young to understand why, but I knew that the Islam I followed didn’t teach violence.
I knew that the Quran condemns the taking of innocent lives; to kill a person is like killing all mankind.
I knew Prophet Muhammad stated that God has made the blood, property and honor of every human being sacred. I couldn’t understand that, when Islam clearly condemns bloodshed, why some people kill and call it an act for the sake of Islam.
For 12 years, I have been searching for the right answer for this question. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community ended my search when I came across the “Muslims for Life” campaign.
The goal for the campaign is to collect blood and save lives. In 2012, more than 11,000 pints of blood were collected nationwide. This year’s goal is to collect 12,000 pints of blood, which can be used to help save 36,000 American lives.
This is the best jihad by Muslims I’ve ever encountered.
