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A New York Girl Scout troop has launched a fundraiser event for victims of attacks, showing solidarity with their wider community.
Moved by images of the victims of Boston marathon bombing earlier this month, a New York Girl Scout troop has launched a fundraiser event for victims of attacks, showing solidarity with their wider community.
“It [The fundraiser] was inspired by Islamophobia. Every Muslim I spoke with said, "Oh, no!" It is a horrific event and if it is a Muslim (who did it), it just makes things worse for us,” Amina Elsheikh, troop leader of Girl Scouts Troop 2308, told Times Union.
“We were already targeted. This is not what Islam is about. They are extremists. We do not feel this way (killing and maiming).”
At least three people were killed and scores injured when two explosions rocked near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 14.
The attacks have drawn widespread condemnations from Muslims inside the United States and around the world.
Though her group struggles financially, Elsheikh rushed to start a fundraising for the victims of the attacks.
“Our troop struggles financially but we realize we should donate to the needy, for instance, to soup kitchens,” she said.
“We decided to donate money from one of our fundraisers to the Boston families that were affected.”
Contributions were also made for Schenectady’s Islamic center to show solidarity with the wider American society.
“The Islamic Center of the Capital District has donated $2,000 toward the fundraiser,” Elsheikh said.
“When you contribute, you show that your heartfelt condolences are with them. They are in the country and we feel for them.
“The bottle and can drive was to have been a fundraiser for our troop, but instead we will donate the money to the American Red Cross to forward to Boston,” she added.
Though there are no official estimates, the US is home to from 7-8 million Muslims.
An earlier Gallup poll found that the majority of Americans Muslims are loyal to their country and optimistic about their future in the United States.
Almost all big Islamic centers or mosques in the United States organize scouting troops for their local communities.
http://www.onislam.net/english/news/americas/462420-muslim-girl-scouts-raise-funds-for-boston.html
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