CAIR Urges Prayers, Blood Donations for Boston Bomb Victims

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 4/15/13) –- The Council on American-Islamic Relations(CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, this evening condemned the bomb attacks earlier today on the Boston Marathon that left at least two people dead and many more injured.

CAIR urged all Americans to pray for the victims and their families and asked the Boston-area Muslim community to donate blood for those who were wounded.

In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

"American Muslims, like Americans of all backgrounds, condemn in the strongest possible terms today's cowardly bomb attack on participants and spectators of the Boston Marathon.

"We urge people of all faiths to pray for the victims and their loved ones and for the speedy recovery of those injured. We also call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators.

"While spiritual measures can serve to comfort those in physical and emotional pain, we also call on Muslims and others in the Boston area to donate blood through the Red Cross as a concrete show of support for the bomb attack victims. Those who were participating in the marathon or were watching the event should contact authorities with any potential eyewitness information they may have."

The Washington-based civil rights organization urged Muslims to listen to government announcements to determine other steps they might take to help first responders and those impacted by the tragic event.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.