As Hazeem Pudhiapura sees it, the events of Sept. 11, 2001, could not have served as a more damaging introduction of Islam to most Americans.

Never mind that innocent Muslim Americans were also among those killed in the terrorist attacks, or that the hijackers carried out their mission based on a distorted view of their faith. A decade later, Pudhiapura of Duluth, is one of many Muslims around the country who is still trying to perform image — if not damage — control in service of his faith.

On this anniversary, some are doing it adroitly by participating in the Muslims for Life National Blood Drive during the month of September.