A web site, LaunchGood.com, makes it possible for various groups in the global Muslim community to raise money for good works through online crowd funding. One project is providing bikes for Afghanistan orphans. Another encourages and supports people adopting refugees who have had to leave their homes.
The project that caught my eye is called "Respond With Love." Its purpose is raising funds to help rebuild the African-American churches that have been burned in the wake of the massacre of nine worshipers in a Bible study group at their church in Charleston, SC.
Imam Zaid Shakir explains: "The American Muslim community cannot claim to have experienced anything close to the systematic and institutionalized racism and racist violence that has been visited upon African Americans. We do, however, understand the climate of racially inspired hate and bigotry that is being reignited in this country. We want to let our African American brothers and sisters know that we stand in solidarity with them during this dark hour. As a small symbol of that solidarity, during this blessed month of Ramadan, we are gathering donations to help rebuild the seven churches that have been burned down since the racist murders in Charleston, South Carolina."
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This is a worthy project. I also want to help spread this positive image of Muslims in this country to counter the grossly unfair stereotype of Muslims as terrorists promoted on much of our right-wing news media and right-wing politicians.Anyone who would like to join me in contributing to this fund -- to support both the black churches and the Muslim community for making this effort -- can find the relevant information at the web link below.
Ralph
www.launchgood.com/project/respond_with_love_rebuild_black_churches
When this web page of the various projects opens, find the block for Respond With Love.
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