Ten years ago, on a bright and crisp Tuesday morning, 19 men who claimed to be Muslims did what no American had ever envisioned. These 19 men did not just attack the most prominent landmark of the Manhattan skyline, but they attacked the very core of the American value of freedom and tolerance. It was a day that left Americans stunned and shook their sense of security and peace. Today, the tenth anniversary of this horrific event is being commemorated all across the country in many different manners.
Many of us are now remembering the day and recollecting where we were and what we were doing at that moment. Islam became a household word and began to be associated with “violence” and “terrorism”. Muslims in America suddenly began to feel as outcasts and pariahs. The ignorance of the public surfaced and more innocent lives were lost due to a backlash. Every Muslim became a possible terrorist and was subject to profiling at airports.
For ten years now, Muslims in America have been defending Islam and explaining to everyone that Islam is a religion of peace and not violence. Terrorism has no place in the Koran and those who say otherwise are ill-informed. A small minority of so-called Muslims distorted the true meaning of Islam and used it for worldly gain.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the oldest Muslim organization in the USA, has taken matters in their own hands and decided to show the Americans the true meaning of Islam not just by words but through action. After two successful initiatives- “Muslims for Peace” and “Muslims for Loyalty”- the Community has launched a campaign to honor the victims of 9/11 by donating blood. This new initiative has been named “Muslims for Life”.
Naseem Mahdi, vice president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA, wrote on the Washington Post’s On Faith blog, “On 9/11/2001 some 3,000 innocent lives were taken by terrorists acting in the name of Islam. Ten years later, this September, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will remember this tragedy by organizing nationwide blood donations and with the expectation of collecting 10,000 units of blood, thus helping to save as many as 30,000 lives. We decided that the best way for us to get the life-giving true message of Islam across to our fellow Americans and simultaneously honor the victims of 9/11 would be by doing something both symbolic and significant. This is how the “Muslims for Life” campaign was born.”
The “Muslims for Life” campaign has been well received by President Obama and members of his cabinet. Two of the drives were held at the Capitol Hill at the Rayburn and Cannon House Offices. Representatives Keith Ellison and Jackie Speiers were among the lawmakers who donated blood.
Representative Jackie Speier, a Democrat from California, called the blood drive “a very powerful statement.”
“As we commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I think it’s very important for us to be introspective and find ways to express our continuing pain and sorrow for those who lost loved ones in a solemn and sober way that also has a positive result,” she said. “I can think of nothing much more positive than giving a pint of blood for those in need.”
From Los Angeles to New York, and from Detroit to Austin, in 145 cities, 250 blood drives have been registered. This humanitarian act transcends race, color, religion, and ethnicities. It is the most remarkable way to bring together people from all backgrounds to participate in an activity which is hoped to build bridges and heal the wounds that have remained open for the last ten years.
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