UPDATES: 

Stay tuned for campaign updates in this section:

• Update #1 (Aug 15, 1:30pm ET): We've raised half of our $40,000 goal in 2 days! That means $10,000 donated per day and just over $400 per hour given toward the immediate and long-term expenses of the surviving families. Thank you for your support. Let's keep the momentum going by spreading the word on this campaign.
• Update #2 (Aug 22, 11:30am ET): GOAL REACHED! Over the weekend you have helped us not only reach our $40,000 goal, but exceed it. We have extended the campaign deadline by a few days to allow for any additional support for the surviving families. Thank you for standing with not only the victims and their families, but the entire Albuquerque community who are in shock and mourning. Your generosity is truly appreciated.

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Muslims United for Albuquerque
#Muslims4ABQ

A horrific string of killings, spanning from November 2021 to August 2022, has claimed the lives of four Muslim men in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Naeem Hussain, 25; Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27; Aftab Hussein, 41, and Mohammad Ahmadi, 62. While details are still emerging, initial reports suggest that anti-Shia hatred may have played a role in some or all of these acts of violence. The Muslim community is deeply disturbed and reeling from the shockwaves of the news.

In the face of this heinous crime and senseless taking of life, a collective of Muslim-American leaders and organizations are uniting to raise funds for the surviving families through this campaign by CelebrateMercy on LaunchGood. In addition to this effort, we unequivocally stand against sectarian-based violence as the Islamic tradition teaches us to do.

The Campaign

We wish to respond to evil with good, as our faith instructs us, and send a powerful message of solidarity and compassions through action. The Quran teaches: "Repel evil with that which is better" (41:34). The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:

"The killing of a believer is a greater tragedy to God than the demise of the entire world.”

We ask for American mosques, Imams, leaders, and groups to endorse and promote this crowdfunding initiative for the victims' families. Campaign endorsers are only required to help promote it via email and social media (sign up below). For media inquires, see Resources section below. 

The Funds

All fundraising proceeds will go towards the victims' families and caretakers, helping them with both their immediate and long-term expenses. No amount of money will bring back the families' loved ones, but we do hope to lessen the families' burdens in some way. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: "The most beloved to God are those who help people most." 

Though CelebrateMercy is a Sunni-led Muslim organization, we invite collaboration with Sunni and Shia organizations on this campaign; we also welcome friends of other faiths to contribute toward and endorse this campaign. 

This campaign was initiated by CelebrateMercy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization on August 12, 2022. All donations are tax-deductible for U.S. residents.

Resources

• Short Link to this Campaign: LaunchGood.com/ABQ
• Amplify: Share on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
• Campaign Press Release: TBA
• Volunteer: Join the Volunteers on WhatsApp Here or email info@celebratemercy.com
• Hashtag: #Muslims4ABQ
• Download Campaign Flyer: Click Here
• Media Inquiries: Email community@celebratemercy.com
• Become a Community Partner: Click Here (Scroll down to see complete list of partners and endorsers)

The Victims: Know the Lives that Were Lost

Naeem Hussain, 25
Naeem Hussain had been a US citizen for less than a month when he became the latest shooting victim found by Albuquerque police officers just before midnight Friday. "He had a lot of dreams and he accomplished some of them…His others were cut short by this heinous act." said his brother-in-law. "He was the most generous, kind, giving, patient, and down-to-earth person that I could ever meet.”

Naeem was not only working to support himself, but would share his earnings with family in Pakistan. Hours before his own death, Hussain attended a funeral for two of the recent victims and expressed concern about the shootings, said Tahir Gauba, spokesperson for the Islamic Center of New Mexico.

Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27
Muhammad Afzaal Hussain made a big impact in a lot of lives. His older brother said of him, “Muhammad was my youngest brother and he was very active and lively person and much involved in the community. All the time ready to help people.” 

After starting his Masters in Community and Regional Planning at the University of New Mexico, he was elected as the President for the Graduate Student Association. After graduating, he became a campaign organizer, and then a Planning Director at The City of Espanola. He was an avid cricket player and loved spending time with his nieces and nephews. Muhammad was also a main source of financial support for his family in Pakistan.

Aftab Hussein, 41
Aftab Hussein was “Just a witty, hardworking guy, he was he was sharp…He always had two jobs. And that just kind of gives you an idea of how, how hard he worked” described a co-worker, and friend of Aftab.  His co-workers are in shock that someone with such a kind, gentle soul is now gone.

“He helped multiple employees here with their, just situations that they were going through in life. He always wanted to help everyone,” said Aftab’s manager. She says one of her fondest memories of him was when he went above and beyond to help a co-worker in need. “We’d like set up a donation jar for that employee and Aftab took…his entire tip envelope every day for two weeks and donated it to the other employee.” 

Hussein had also recently gotten engaged and was preparing for married life, in addition to supporting his family in Pakistan.

Mohammad Zahir Ahmadi, 62
Mohammad Zahir Ahmadi owned a store with his brother. His brother described the two as being very close and spoke fondly of Mohammad as a “big chef” who enjoyed cooking American dishes as well as the cuisine of his native country of Afghanistan. Ahmadi once catered for 800 people over one weekend, his brother said.

His brother still keeps the store open in honor of Mohammad, but keeps the door locked and only allows people who he knows to come in or those who have called ahead.
“He was unbelievable,” Hadi said. “All I have now is the memories of my brother. I can’t handle it.”

Endorsements

The list below will be updated frequently as endorsements come in.

Endorsers are only required to help publicize the campaign via social media and promotional emails. You can help spread the word for this campaign by filling out a short form to become an endorser:

• As an Organization: HERE
• As a Leader:  HERE
• As a Volunteer: HERE

Current Campaign Endorsements

+ There are currently 17 volunteers promoting this campaign worldwide.

About CelebrateMercy

CelebrateMercy is a US-based, 501c3 non-profit organization - founded in 2010 - that teaches about the Prophet Muhammad's life and character through programs, films, conferences, trips, and Prophet-inspired social campaigns. Its recent campaigns raised over $150,000 to repair vandalized Jewish cemeteries, over $200,000 for victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, nearly $2 million USD for New Zealand mosque shooting victims. Media stories about each campaign reached over 100 million people worldwide, including this TV interview on CNN and this shout-out from Stephen Colbert on his Late Show. 

Recent Campaigns

At CelebrateMercy, we strive to implement the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) way of universal mercy. Whenever unfortunate tragedies take place that devastate so many innocent lives, we aim to respond to evil with good. We wish that we were in a position to organize campaigns for all such unfortunate events, but are limited for obvious reasons such as lack of proper staffing. We do, however, bring awareness to existing campaigns whenever possible to make sure that the victims and those most impacted receive the necessary emergency funds and support they need. Here is a list of recent campaigns - since 2015 - that we have led and partnered on, mostly in response to a tragedy: 

• Muslims United for San Bernardino Families
• Muslims Unite to Repair Jewish Cemeteries
• Muslims United for Las Vegas Victims
• Muslims Unite for Portland Heroes
• Muslims Unite for Pittsburgh Synagogue
• United for Christchurch (New Zealand Mosque Shootings)
• Muslims United for Kentucky Hate Victims
• Muslims Unite to Provide Shutdown Relief
• Stand with Minneapolis: We Can't Breath
• Muslims for Migrants (Reuniting migrant parents with kids)
• Coronavirus Emergency Response: Financial Hardship Grants
• Muslims Unite for Boulder Families
• Muslims Unite for Fallen Texas Teachers