The largest Muslim civil rights group in the United States is urging the Muslim community to donate blood in the wake of the worst mass shooting in the U.S. that left at least 50 people dead at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the Pulse Nightclub massacre earlier Sunday morning and urged its members to donate blood.
“We condemn this monstrous attack and offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed or injured,” CAIR-Florida’s Orlando regional coordinator Rasha Mubarak said in a statement. “The Muslim community joins our fellow Americans in repudiating anyone or any group that would claim to justify or excuse such an appalling act of violence.”
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Omar S. Mateen allegedly opened fire at the night club just after 2 a.m., killing at least 50 people and injuring another 53.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer requested a state of emergency to be declared while Orlando Health Services urged citizens to donate blood.
“Our community experienced a horrific crime today. Our hearts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” the mayor said. “Despite the fact that the crime will have a lasting effect, we are a strong community.
“It is with great sadness I share that we have 50 casualties, in addition to the shooter. Because of the scale I have called Governor Scott to request a state of emergency and we are issuing a state of emergency in the City,” the mayor said.
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Blood donation company OneBlood has put out a news release asking for people with O negative, O positive and AB blood types to donate.
However, many on social media were quick to point out the gay and bisexual men are prohibited from donating blood.
Late last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration tweaked a more than 30 year old ban preventing gay and bisexual men from donating blood.
The FDA said it would allow blood donations from gay men if they had abstained from sex with another man for one year.
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Local media reported that due to the demand for blood, the FDA restristions on blood donation were lifted. However, OneBlood said otherwise.
“All FDA guidelines remain in effect for blood donation,” the blood centre said. “There are false reports circulating that FDA rules were being lifted. Not true.”