Australian Muslims’ campaign sparks nationwide surge in blood donors

SYDNEY, Australia (MNTV) — The Australian Islamic Medical Association (AIMA) held its annual national blood donation drive in partnership with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood late last month, mobilising mosques and Islamic centres across Australia in a coordinated campaign to boost life-saving blood donations.

More than 40 mosques took part across every state and territory, from major capital cities to regional centres including Bathurst, Central Coast, Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, and Launceston on December 5, according to Australian Muslim Times.

At many locations, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood staff worked alongside AIMA volunteers, answering questions, easing fears and guiding first-time donors through the registration process.

Despite challenging weather — from sunshine in Western Australia to steady rain in South Australia and extreme heat on the east coast — turnout remained strong. In a gesture of cultural respect, female Lifeblood representatives wore custom-designed hijabs in Lifeblood colours at select donation sites.

At Carlton Mosque in Melbourne, AIMA Victoria President Dr Mo Awad urged worshippers to reflect on the human impact behind every donation.

“One in three Australians will need blood at some point in their life. Imagine your brother, your father, your mother, your sister. If you donate now, inshaAllah, that’s a favour you can return to them if they ever need it,” he said.

For many, the drive marked their first step into blood donation. Abid, an 18-year-old from the Sunshine Coast, registered for the first time.

“People need blood and I think it’s good to give it if you can,” he said.

In Queensland, the imam of Kuraby Mosque encouraged participation during the Friday sermon, reminding worshippers that “one donation can save up to three lives,” and citing Islamic teachings that saving a single life is like saving all of humanity.

At the Australian Islamic House in Sydney, speakers explained to packed Friday congregations that only a small amount of blood is taken during donation and that the body replenishes it quickly.

“When you donate, you help people with cancer, heart conditions and kidney diseases,” one speaker told the crowd.

AIMA National President and campaign lead Dr Omer Shareef praised volunteers and community organisers.

“It is truly heartening to witness these beautiful moments captured across different parts of Australia, especially within our mosques where we are coming together, competing in goodness, serving humanity and saving lives. This is a powerful reflection of unity in action and faith in motion,” he said.

What began in 2019 with a single participating mosque has grown into a nationwide movement aimed at increasing blood donation rates among diverse communities and building a more representative donor pool for Australia’s multicultural population.

In 2024, the campaign registered 241 new donors and contributed to 820 life-saving blood donations.