Muslim groups raise more than $200K for Pittsburgh synagogue victims

A campaign led by two Muslim groups has raised more than $212,000 for the victims of Saturday's shooting tragedy at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The initial “Muslims Unite for Pittsburgh Synagogue” fundraiser had a set goal of $25,000. It took six hours to surpass it.

» RELATED: Synagogue shooting hits home for many in Atlanta's Jewish community

After going viral online, the fundraiser hit yet another goal of $150,000 within 50 hours. Any leftover proceeds will be dedicated to “projects that help foster Muslim-Jewish collaboration, dialogue, and solidarity,” according to the campaign.

Launched on Saturday by groups CelebrateMercy and MPower Change, the crowdfunded campaign focuses on helping support the 11 victims and their loved ones with immediate, short-term needs, including funeral expenses and medical bills — efforts to “lessen their burden in some way.”

» RELATED: Pittsburgh synagogue shooting victims were grandparents, brothers, devout Jews

“We wish to respond to evil with good, as our faith instructs us, and send a powerful message of compassion through action,” the LaunchGood campaign states. “Our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: ‘Show mercy to those on earth, and the One in the Heavens will show mercy to you.’ The Quran also teaches us to ‘Repel evil by that which is better’ (41:34).”

Learn more about the campaign at LaunchGood.com/Synagogue.

For a list of metro Atlanta vigils and memorial services, go to https://jewishatlanta.org/unitedwestand/