American Muslims Transform Mosques into Blood Donation Centers for Ramadan

For the next month, over a billion Muslims worldwide will be venturing into a spiritual journey during the holy month of Ramadan as they fast from dawn until dusk and engage in the remembrance of God. 

Usually, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community gather at mosques for Iftar, the opening of the fast, and congregational prayer. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, large gatherings have stopped at mosques in all 62 chapters around the country. They are, however, open for essential services like blood and food donations. 

At the heart of Ramadan is building one’s relationship with God: praying five times a day and studying the Holy Quran. Additionally, Ramadan inculcates in Muslims the spirit of self-sacrifice and showing kindness to others. His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifa (Worldwide Head) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, has urged everyone to pray for humankind while staying at home during the pandemic and seeking any way to safely help others in need. 

To that end, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, in partnership with its relief organization (Humanity First) and its youth Auxiliary (Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association), has entered a national partnership with the American Red Cross to open its mosques around the country to host much-needed blood drives. As the United States faces a severe shortage of blood due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA is answering the call of U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams who has asked Americans to donate blood as supplies dwindle amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

As part of its Centennial year, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community still aims to bring communities together for open conversation this Ramadan with the Open Mosque initiative. “This year, we will host a first of its kind virtual Centennial Iftar on May 9. All mosques will be virtually open for interfaith communities and guest speakers so we can reflect on the power of prayer during this pandemic,” said Amjad Mahmood Khan, National Director of Public Affairs for Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. “At the same time, our mosques are engines to serve America during these trying times.”

About the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans 213 countries with tens of millions of members. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is the oldest American-Muslim organization.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long- awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings