Originally published in Akron Beacon Journal
As an American Muslim, I was saddened to hear about the Navy Yard shooting, just like anybody else. In our own holy book, the Quran, it states that, “If anyone slays a person, it would be as if he slew the whole people.”
We believe that such tragic events should be combated with greater community service, as Islam teaches us that we were made for the good of mankind.
In last year’s Muslims For Life Campaign, 11,000 pints of blood were collected from over 370 locations in the U.S. for local blood banks. This year’s goal is 12,000 pints of blood, as the campaign continues through all of September, to remember the horrific day of 9/11.