Muslim groups raise over $100,000 for Pittsburgh synagogue victims

The campaign on LaunchGood surpassed its initial goal of $25,000 within six hours, its second goal of $50,000 after a day, and now passed its third target of $100,000, reaching $114,513 on Monday.

It was organised by CelebrateMercy and MPower Change, Muslim-American non-profits.

"We wish to respond to evil with good, as our faith instructs us, and send a powerful message of compassion through action," the groups said in a statement.

Fundraising proceeds will go toward meeting the short-term needs of the injured victims and grieving families, including funeral expenses and medical bills.

"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 said.

"We pray that this restores a sense of security and peace to the Jewish-American community who has undoubtedly been shaken by this event."

A mostly elderly group of 11 people were gunned down in the bloody assault on the Tree of Life synagogue on Saturday morning by a shooter who said he "wanted all Jews to die," while six more were wounded in the attack.

Anti-Semitic acts in the United States have risen sharply in recent years, ADL figures show.

Agencies contributed to this report.