U.S. Lawmakers Partner with Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and American Red Cross to Mark 18th Anniversary of 9/11
Ninth Annual Nationwide “Muslims for Life” Campaign holds blood drives in 18 states, including Capitol Hill, to honor 9/11 victims
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA held its ninth consecutive annual American Red Cross blood drive on Capitol Hill to remember the victims of the 9/11 tragedy. The efforts were part of the Community’s award-winning, nationwide “Muslims for Life” campaign, which commemorates the nineteenth anniversary of 9/11 by spreading the message that Islam emphasizes the sanctity of all human life.
Founded in 2011, “Muslims for Life” seeks to memorialize the anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11 with blood drives across America. The campaign has run in over 200 locations nationwide and, to date, has collected over 60,000 pints of blood and helped save over 180,000 American lives. Over 30 blood drives across 18 states were held to mark the 18th anniversary of 9/11, which included events at the State Capitols in Minnesota and Texas.
“The Ninth Annual Muslims for Life Blood Drive proves that love can conquer hate, even in the worst of times. It’s proof that the best response to persecution and vilification is understanding, pluralism, equity, and service,” said U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA) standing at the Rayburn Foyer where the event was held. “That is why I am proud to serve as co-chair of the Bipartisan Ahmadiyya Muslim Congressional Caucus. The plight of the Ahmadis illustrates the need for us to come together in the fight against international religious intolerance, and I remain deeply committed to working with the Ahmadiyya Community towards achieving enduring peace for all persecuted religious minorities.”
“I thank the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for hosting their 9th annual Muslims for Life Blood Drive, in partnership with the American Red Cross, to commemorate the 18th anniversary of September 11th terrorist attacks,” said U.S. Congressman Peter King (R-NY). “As the CoChairman of the Congressional Ahmadiyya Muslim Caucus and as the Representative of a district that has been severely impacted by the September 11th terrorist attacks, I commend the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for their continued opposition to radical Islamic extremism and for arranging this lifesaving event.”
Highlighting the ninth consecutive blood drive effort to honor the victims of 9/11, Imam Yahya Luqman of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Washington D.C. commented: “The founder of our Community, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, said, ‘My purpose, yearning and heartfelt desire is to serve humanity. This is my job, faith, habit and way of life’.”
“The American Red Cross is glad to partner with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. This campaign is a life-saving campaign, and this is an amazing community. Service matters,” said Cherae Bishop, Senior Vice President for Government Relations of American Red Cross, Washington, D.C.
About Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans 207 countries with tens of millions of members. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is among the first American-Muslim organizations.
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.
