Syed Shamshad Nasir, Missionary, USA
The 9/11 attacks in the USA, in 2001, were certainly a great tragedy in which thousands of lives were lost and countless people were injured. The then Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya USA, Mirza Muzaffar Ahmad Sahib, had written a letter of condolence to the then US President, Mr Bush, and Secretary of State, in which it was stated that Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya is ready to donate blood in New York and Washington to save the lives of all the injured on this occasion.
This anniversary has been celebrated in the country for many years after 9/11 and Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya has since launched a campaign to donate blood.
So this year, on 9 September 2020, Amjad Mahmood Khan Sahib, National Secretary Foreign Affairs, made a programme in Detroit. Under this programme, our team teamed up with the Red Cross to advertise the Blood Donation programme in Mahmood Mosque of Detroit, and the American Red Cross and its team organised it in the hall of the Mahmood Mosque.
The programme began with the recitation of the Holy Quran and its translation by Dr Khalid Minhas Sahib of Miami. After this, Amjad Mahmood Khan Sahib, National Secretary Foreign Affairs, welcomed all the participants and introduced the event. He also mentioned that he joined this programme from California, where the worst fires are currently raging and other surrounding states and about 15,000 firefighters are working to put out the blaze. He also described the tragedy of 9/11 and said that it was a very difficult time for everyone.
After this, Congresswoman Norma Torres of California thanked for arranging the meeting and the blood donation, and appreciated the Jamaat’s services for the country and the nation, and stated that in this regard, the Jamaat’s leadership is doing an excellent work. She also thanked Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya USA, Sahibzada Mirza Maghfoor Ahmad Sahib.
“Your community has also opened a hospital in Guatemala to serve the people there and in my district also, you are distributing food to the poor every week, and you are providing great services for refugees as well”, she said.
She stated that you are following the teachings of Islam in its true essence, while the country has many challenges and we need each other’s help.
After this speech, a missionary, Yahya Luqman Sahib of Washington, delivered a speech. In his speech, he described the Islamic teachings regarding the service of humanity and the charitable work of the Holy Prophetsa and Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya.
After that, Mr Paul Sullivan, Vice President of Red Cross USA, delivered his remarks and briefed the public on the services of the Red Cross. After his speech, Mr Thomas Rice, TX Congressmen thanked and paid tribute to the services of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya.
After this, California’s Congressman, Pete Aguilar thanked everyone for the blood donation, and said that he paid tribute to the entire Jamaat for its selfless services and was very grateful to all of us for the respect we extended.
“If there is any service worthy of me, you will always find me available”, said the congressman.
After this, a video clip was shown, which presented a glimpse of the Jamaat’s charitable works on various occasions, which were appreciated by various US officials, congressmen and women. This was also the 10th anniversary of the “Muslim for Life” initiative.
After that, Amjad Mahmood Khan Sahib introduced Shamshad Nasir Sahib, who participated in this programme from Detroit. Expressing deep sentiments over the 9/11 incident, Shamshad Sahib said:
“It was not the tradition of our Jamaat to celebrate anniversaries; the Jamaat has been denouncing terrorism from day one … There is no place for terrorism in Islam as Islam is a religion of peace and spreads peace. Islam is the name of love and affection. That is why we say ‘Love for all, hatred for none’. Secondly, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya is a divine Jamaat that is guiding people towards the true teachings of Islam in this age.”
He further said:
“In 2008, two Ahmadi mosques in Lahore were attacked in which more than 80 people were martyred and more than 100 were injured. Then our mosque in Mong Rasool was attacked at the Fajr prayer and nine Ahmadis were martyred. Our Khalifa and spiritual leader taught us patience. We never arranged an anniversary for these attacks. According to the Islamic teachings, we only recite:
اِنَّا لِلہِ وَاِنَّا اِلَیْہِ رَاجِعُوْن
meaning, ‘Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.’”
He further said:
“Even now, we are not celebrating the anniversary, but as our then amir had issued a press release in which it was said that we would donate blood, since then, we have been donating blood. This is not specific to any single day, but we will do it today, tomorrow and in the future as well. At the same time, we announce that if anyone needs our help at any time, let us know; we are here. We held interfaith meetings 19 years ago and prayed for the safety of the country and the nation, and will continue to do so.”
Shamshad Nasir Sahib read out a letter written by the then Amir Jamaat USA, Mirza Muzaffar Ahmad Sahib.
After that, Nasir Bukhari Sahib of Detroit, who is the local foreign affairs secretary, presented the introduction of the Mahmood Mosque and showed the minaret of the mosque, as it was being broadcast live. He also showed where the Red Cross has set up beds for blood donation.
Then, Majid Khan Sahib described the efforts of Humanity First USA.
Congresswoman, Jackie Spear lauded Jamaat’s services, especially the blood donation programme, and called for the continuation of such programmes.
At the end, Amjad Mahmood Khan Sahib thanked everyone. Alhamdolillah, this programme was successful in every way.