A Muslim non profit organization has launched an online campaign to raise money for the more than half a dozen black churches destroyed in the wake of the Charleston Shooting.
Created by Faatimah Amat-Allah Knight, Project “Respond With Love: Rebuild Black Churches, Support Victims of Arson Across The South” has raised more than $41,000 at the time of this post, $9,000 short of their $50,000 goal.
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“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,” the campaign’s website reads. “We are calling on you to help add our support to faith communities across the country pooling their resources to rebuild these churches. There has not been anywhere near the amount of resources needed to rebuild these churches. The time is now, let’s unite to help our sisters and brothers in faith.”
On the evening of June 17th, Dylann Storm Roof killed nine parishioners at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C. In the wake of the shooting, black churches in Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Ohio, and Georgia have caught fire, with arson being the cause for three of the eight churches destroyed.
READ: Dylann Storm Roof Indicted On New Charges
Since the campaign’s launch on July 2nd, more than 1,000 supporters have all pitched in to help raise funds for the churches across the south. The campaign will run until July 18, with money going directly to churches in need.
“We want for others what we want for ourselves: the right to worship without intimidation, the right to safety, and the right to property.”