American Muslims Respond: 
Fundraiser for Victims' Families

#Muslims4SB

At least 14 people were killed and 17 more wounded in San Bernardino, California where up to 3 attackers went on a shooting spree at a regional center that serves those with special needs. The San Bernardino families lost their loved ones in a deplorable act of violence.  This is why a collective of American Muslim leaders and groups have united to raise funds for the victims' families. 

We wish to respond to evil with good, as our faith instructs us, and send a powerful message of compassion through action. Our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: "Have mercy to those on earth, and the One in the Heavens (God) will have mercy upon you." And the Quran teaches to "Repel evil by that which is better" (41:34). 

All fundraising proceeds will help with the immediate, short-term needs of the grieving families. No amount of money will bring back their loved ones, but we do hope to lessen their burden in some way. Since the campaign has continued to exceed every new goal we set (initial goal was $50,000), we may even be able to assist families with longer-term expenses or possibly donate to the regional center where the shooting took place. 

Though this is a Muslim-led campaign, we welcome our friends of other faiths to also contribute. Funds will be distributed to the victims' families by the MiNDS Network (more on MiNDS below). 

We ask for American Muslim mosques, Imams, leaders, and groups to endorse and promote this initiative. Official endorsers of the campaign are only required to help promote it via email and social media. For media inquiries please email drtaif@mindsnetwork.org. 

Endorsements:

• Local Organizations: The MiNDS Network, UPLIFT, MECASoCal, Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, CAIR-LA, MAS-LA, Institute of Knowledge (IOK), Muslim Family Foundation, Interfaith Witnesses (IW), Shifa Clinic (San Bernardino), ICNA-Relief southern CA
• Regional Organizations: Tarbiya Institute, CAIR Florida, CAIR Arizona
• National Organizations: CelebrateMercy, Islamic Networks Group, Islamic Society of North America, Mental Health for Muslims, MuslimARC, SeekersHub, Zaytuna College, Wives of Jannah, Satary Foundation, Michigan Muslim Community Council, Tawheed Center Michigan, Indianapolis Muslim Community Association, American Muslim Community Centers
• Muslim Leaders/Scholars/Organizers: Ustadh Hassan Elwan, Shaykha Muslema Purmul, Shaykh Yasir Fazaqa (OCIF), Shaykh Atef Mahgoub (ICOI), Shaykh Mohammed Faqih (IIOC), Imam Mustafa Umar (IIOC), Dr. Ahmed Soboh (CVIC), Shaykh Suhail Mulla, Ustadh Usman Asrar, Imam Osman Umarjee, Hosai Mojaddidi, Lobna Mulla, Imam M. A. Azeez (Tarbiya Institute), Shaykh Nomaan Baig (IOK), Shaykh Jamaal Diwan, Imam Tahir Anwar, Anse Tamara Gray, Suzy Ismail, Dalia Mogahed, Yasmin Mogahed, Linda Sarsour, Shaykh Omar Suleiman,  Megan Wyatt, Shaykha Maryam Amir, Dr. Colleen Keyes 
• Websites: AtlantaMuslim.com, IlmFeed.com, MuslimMatters.org, VirtualMosque.com

Statement:

"We are sad at the suffering of our neighbors in San Bernardino. We are with them not only with the words of sympathy and condolences; we should show the acts of kindness and compassion. Victims' Fund is a noble idea. I urge all American Muslims to contribute to this fund." 
- Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, Chair - Southern CA Islamic Shura Council

"The center and its members offer their deepest condolences to those affected by this tragedy and we stand with our fellow Americans in this difficult time."
- The Islamic Community Center of Redlands

Media Coverage

• CNN [December 9, 2015]
• The Washington Post [December 9, 2015]
• The Wall St Journal [December 9, 2015]
• Yahoo News [December 9, 2015]
• Time [December 9, 2015]
• Huffington Post [December 8, 2015]
• Yahoo News [December 9, 2015]
• AJ+ [December 9, 2015]
• Al Jazeera English [December 6, 2015] 
• Al Jazeera Arabic [December 7, 2015]
• BuzzFeed [December 9, 2015]
• NowThis [December 9, 2015]
• Upworthy [December 10, 2015]
• Mashable [December 10, 2015]
• Esquire [December 10, 2015]

About MiNDS 

MiNDS is a Family-Centered Development organization based in Inland Empire and North Orange County (southern CA) with a wide charitable network of the specialty healthcare providers, community development, and economic empowerment programs. 

MiNDS's vision is to empower families through community development, provide specialty healthcare, and raise mental health awareness.