“Whoever saves one life it is as if he saved the whole of mankind.” – The Holy Qur’an 5:32
This is a verse that is firmly anchored in the minds of many Muslims around the world, and represents the very essence of altruism on which the Imam Hussain Blood Donation Campaign (IHBDC) is based upon.
Having formed in 2006 and working in collaboration with NHS blood and transplant, IHBDC has rapidly grown to become the UK’s largest Muslim blood donation campaign. It is just one of the many projects organised by the Islamic Unity Society (IUS). Run entirely by dedicated volunteers, it aims to encourage every able Muslim to donate blood regularly.
Peaking in the holy month of Muharram, Muslims willingly volunteer to give blood in commemoration of the great act of sacrifice demonstrated by the beloved grandson of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon his and his family).
Last year alone the campaign saw 410 successful blood donations. With one blood donation saving up to 3 adult or 7 infant lives, this meant that 1230 adults/2870 infants were saved! And so we see the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and Ahlulbayt (peace be upon his and his family) being revived and practically manifested.
2015 marks a great milestone for the campaign. This is the first year that the Imam Husain Blood Donation Campaign is running a blood donation session at an Islamic Centre. Where in the past blood donation sessions were limited to dedicated NHS blood donor centres, this time it will take place in one of the community’s own places of worship.
The Islamic Centre of England was founded in 1996 and has become established as one of the main, multicultural and diverse centres of London. The first session will be taking place here on the 25th October, with a capacity of up to 100 blood donations. With this session becoming fully booked within the first week of announcement, it is already a popular venue within the community. We aim to hold multiple sessions here during the year. Therefore, the partnership between IHBDC, the NHS and the Islamic Centre of England is indeed an important one. And God willing, one that will only grow stronger in the coming years.
“IUS is currently one of only three groups who have two large scale BAME (Black, Asian, and minority ethnic) or Faith/Hybrid sessions and one of only two who stretch outside London”
* Theo Clarke (National BAME Marketing Manager).
Jasmine Rizvi
IHBDC volunteer
