An fundraising effort led by a group of Muslim-Americans has gathered more than $80,000 to support the victims of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh.
CelebrateMercy and MPower Change created the crowdfunding page on LaunchGood, a Muslim-centric version of GoFundMe, shortly after a gunman opened fire Saturday morning, killing 11 people and injuring another six within the place of worship. The site has since been flooded with donations, resulting in the organizations having to adjust their target fundraising goal three times in about 24 hours.
"Through this campaign, we hope to send a united message from the Jewish and Muslim communities that there is no place for this type of hate and violence in America," the groups' LaunchGood page states. "We pray that this restores a sense of security and peace to the Jewish-American community who has undoubtedly been shaken by this event."
Contributions, accepted from people of all faiths, will be funneled to the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh, which will then liaise with the synagogue.
The money will likely be used for the immediate, short-term needs of victims injured in attack or those who lost a love one, the LaunchGood page says.
Shooting suspect Robert Bowers faces 29 separate federal charges, including hate crimes. A majority of the charges are punishable by death.
The 46-year-old's first court appearance is scheduled for Monday.