"Muslims For Life" blood drive @ Cafe Raik (Duluth)

To honor the victims of 9/11 and emphasize Islam’s essential teaching regarding the sanctity of life, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA began organizing blood drives all across the nation in 2011. The “Muslims for Life” campaign has now become a nationwide annual event. In four years 1074 blood drives were organized and 39,477 pints collected potentially helping to save more than 118,000 lives!

This year Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, GA-Chapter registered multiple blood drives here in the Atlanta metro area including those at their mosque Baitul Ata (Norcross), Georgia Tech, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Suwanee) and Georgia State University.

AMC-GA Chapter President, Mr. Hazeem Pudhiapura conveyed that Islamic terrorists did more than hijack planes and kill thousands on Sept. 11, 2001. They stole something else, too.

“They also hijacked Islam from mainstream Muslims,” said Pudhiapura. “We want to take that back from these terrorists and return it to those who are promoting sanctity, peace and loyalty”, he added.

The campaign has gotten good support from the local county and city officials in the past. Just this September Chairman of Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Charlotte J. Nash attended the Baitul Ata mosque blood drive event. A couple of years back Norcross city Mayor Bucky Johnson showed support to this initiative by donating blood on one of the blood drives held under this campaign.

The upcoming event scheduled for October 31st is also special since it is organized by the Women’s Auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (Lajna Immaillah), GA Chapter. The Auxiliary is partnering with Cafe Raik (1160 Old Peachtree Rd NW, Duluth 30097) and will bring some great coupon offers for the donors along with campaign giveaways.

“Cafe Raik is honored to sponsor the “Muslims for Life” blood drive”, said Ronnie Baroud who is one of the owners at this popular restaurant. “It is our goal and hope that by sponsoring this event we contribute to saving more lives”, he further added.

LifeSouth bloodmobile will be in the parking lot of Café Raik from 11a.m. to 5p.m. All walk-ins are welcome but it is advisable to reserve a spot by signing up at Café Raik or going online.

The Ahmadi Muslim Women’s auxiliary is very excited about this new partnership. The GA Chapter Lajna president Farhat Pall hopes ” to bring our community together for the advancement of mankind and eventually give rise to a peaceful, loving and cohesive society”.