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The Imam HussainAS Blood Donation Campaign (IHBDC) is a voluntary project which aims to encourage more Muslims to give blood. It is the first national campaign in the UK which specifically aims to motivate Muslims to join the Blood Register by holding an annual blood drive in multiple cities. The campaign is one of several projects organised by the Islamic Unity Society, a UK registered charity run by volunteers which aims to empower young people through the promotion of social and cultural cohesion. The IUS works in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant to arrange sessions in each city for people to come and donate. Each year, while commemorating the day of Ashura hundreds of mourner donate their blood in love of Imam Hussain and in response to IHBDC for benefit of people in need of blood endowment.
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History
The Campaign was first launched in January 2006 in Manchester. 23 people were successful in donating blood. The campaign was well received by both the Muslim community and the NHS Blood and Transplant, which was then the National Blood Service (NBS). The following year the campaign took place in London, Glasgow, Birmingham and its hometown of Manchester with 50 successful blood donations. It has since continued to grow taking place in major cities across the UK with 268 successful donations in the 2011 campaign. It is held annually during the time of Muharram when the death of Hussein bin Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammed is commemorated. During the last 10 year the campaign has saved many lives by providing blood packs to the patients. In July 2016 British Muslims across London by donating blood celebrated the 10th anniversary of Imam Hussain Blood Donation Campaign.
Media attention
The campaign success has been covered by various media outlets over the years. This includes local BBC News and radio, television, local newspapers such as the Telegraph & Argus and many others. In December 2011, Rugby League star Ikram Butt showed his support by giving blood at the Campaign’s blood drive in Leeds.
Structure
The campaign is a branch of the Islamic Unity Society, a registered charity set up in 1995 to promote and develop the wellbeing of Britain’s youth on the basis of Islamic principles. They work closely with NHS Blood and Transplant who host and staff the donation sessions.
Islamic opinion
The importance of blood donation for transfusion to needy people of the society is great social service. Blood banks/blood reservoirs organizations provide blood packs to those who are in need during operations, accidents, childbirth or treatment of serious ailments. The campaign has clarified that donating blood is a permitted and in fact recommended act in Islam. Some eminent religious scholars have issued information regarding the donating of blood and shown support for the campaign. There is also no restriction for donation by Muslim to a non-Muslim.