American Muslims raise over $175,000 for San Bernardino families

In the wake of the mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, where at least 14 people were killed and 21 more wounded, American Muslims are coming together to raise money for the families of the victims.

"We wish to respond to evil with good, as our faith instructs us, and send a powerful message of compassion through action," the campaign's website reads. The project, backed by numerous local, regional, and national Muslim organizations and leaders, has a current goal to raise over $175,000. As of Thursday morning the collective has surpassed its goal.

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Dr. Faisal Qazi, an American-Muslim neurologist and the co-founder of the family-centered development organization MiNDS, launched the crowdfunding campaign a day after the shooting under the moniker "Muslims United for San Bernardino." The attack hit close to home for Qazi who says many of his patients' families use the Inland Regional Center.%shareLinks-quote="We wish to respond to evil with good, as our faith instructs us..." type="spreadWord"%Qazi is collaborating with San Bernardino County public health officials and the Arrowhead United Way in San Bernardino to distribute the funds raised for immediate and short-term needs of families impacted by the attack.

"We sincerely appreciate the support of Dr. Qazi and his organization and we look forward to working with him to distribute these funds," Doug Rowand, president of the Arrowhead United Way, said in an email to LA Daily News.

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