Loading ...Muslim charities raise nearly $45,000 to rebuild burned-down black churches
Over the past several weeks, a handful of predominantly black churches across the South have burned down. Some were ruled arson, others accidents — but they still recalled racist attacks against black churches throughout American history.
The church fires followed the mass shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., igniting concern over the possibility of a wave of hate crimes.
Three Muslim charities have since launched a “Respond with Love” crowdfunding campaign to damaged black churches rebuild and “stand united against hate.” The Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative, Arab American Association of New York and Ummah Wide have raised nearly $45,000 since starting the fundraiser last week.
“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,” campaign organizers said in a statement. “We want for others what we want for ourselves: the right to worship without intimidation, the right to safety and the right to property,” the statement also said.
Source: www.washingtonpost.com