U of A 'Muslims for Life' Blood Drive Honors Sept. 11 and Boston Bombing Victims

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Al-Islam Students Association, a registered student organization at the University of Arkansas, will sponsor its annual Sept. 11 Memorial Blood Drive as part of the national “Muslims for Life” campaign. This year the drive honors the victims of both the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and this year’s Boston Marathon bombing.

The three-day blood drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Sept. 9, 10, and 11, outdoors at the Fulbright Peace Fountain. The goal is to collect 300 units of blood, which can be used in medical emergencies to save nearly 900 lives in this region.

The Al-Islam Students Association is collaborating with the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, who will be on campus with two bloodmobiles and provide trained personnel. Several local churches and sororities are also supporting the blood drive, and several professors have agreed to encourage students in their classes to donate blood at this drive.  

The blood drive will begin with a peace observance at 9:40 a.m. Monday, Sept. 9 at the Fulbright Peace Fountain, in memory of the victims of Sept. 11 and the Boston Marathon bombing. Muslim and interfaith leaders will attend, along with the regional director of the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks. The entire campus community is invited to attend. Charles Robinson, vice provost for diversity and community, and Mayor Lionel Jordan of Fayetteville will briefly address the group.

The national “Muslims for Life” blood drives are part of a two-month campaign organized by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA to emphasize the sanctity of life.