By: World Bulletin
Source: World Bulletin
A crowdfunding campaign that was launched a week ago by Muslim activists and organizations has raised more than $53,000 to help rebuild the burned churches, smashing the initial goal of $10,000 with donations from all over the world. The effort has been spearheaded by three groups: the Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative, the Arab American Association of New York, and the digital startup Ummah Wide.
“It’s Ramadan, and we are experiencing firsthand the beauty and sanctity of our mosques during this holy month. ALL houses of worship are sanctuaries, a place where all should feel safe, a place we can seek refuge when the world is too much to bear,” the activists wrote on the campaign website.
“There has not been anywhere near the amount of resources needed to rebuild these churches. The time is now, let’s unite to help our sisters and brothers in faith.”
The US had barely begun to grieve the terrifying killing of nine members of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 17—or wonder if prosecutors wouldpursue the death penalty for the alleged gunman, Dylann Roof—when the epidemic of black church burnings began. Several of the fires were found to be arson, which led the Muslim activists to step up as allies.
In a report by Voiceonline, the campaign was the brainchild of black Muslim student Faatimah Knight, who recently shared an iftar (breaking of fast) with President Barack Obama.
She said Islam emphasised the protection of the weak and vulnerable. She said while the black Christian communities of the South might not be weak, they were vulnerable.
“I’m a black person and I do identify with the wider black community at that level,” she said. “Historically, the black community has been vulnerable.”
The campaigns website said, “To many, it is clear that these are attacks on black culture, black religion and black lives,”
“It’s Ramadan, and we are experiencing firsthand the beauty and sanctity of our mosques during this holy month. All houses of worship are sanctuaries, a place where all should feel safe,” it added.
