Islamic Group Raises Money for Fort Hood Victims

Being Muslim in America since Sept. 11th doesn't seem easy. Being Muslim in America in the aftermath of the Fort Hood tragedy? That just seems downright tough.

But the Islamic Society of North America is addressing the situation head-on, and spearheading a nationwide fundraising effort to help the victims of the mass shooting at the hands of Army psychiatrist Major Nidal Malik Hasan, who is a devout Muslim.

The group says it is raising money in part to help show the country that the acts of one Muslim do not represent the ideals of their religion as a whole.

"In the past, every time an incident like this happens, our community has to take the blame," Louay Safi, PhD, of the Islamic Society of North America, told WISH-TV News.

"I believe there's a stereotype about Muslims in this country," he continued. "If a criminal happens to be any other religion, they say he's a criminal. But when the criminal happens to be Muslim, they say he's a Muslim. We're not happy as a community to have our faith dragged into those instances, but it's a reality now."

To help combat that stereotype the group is asking Mosques around the country to rally its members to donate. The group aims to raise more than a million dollars and hopes the money they collect will help change people's perceptions about the religion and the people who belong to it.

It is not necessary to be Muslim to support their fundraising drive. If you would like to donate, click here.

Photo courtesy of James McCauley via Wikimedia Commons.