Kalamazoo Muslims speak out against Paris attacks

Hundal says sending Western countries into a spiral of violence and division is just what the Islamic State is hoping to accomplish. Our thoughts and prayers are for those killed or injured and their families; especially for our neighbours, the people of France.

A peace seminar was also held at the Nasir Mosque on Sunday at which a one minute silence was help to remember the victims of Paris terrorist attacks.

In January, following the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris – where 11 people were murdered at a French satirical magazine – Muslim community leaders living in Merseyside publicly condemned the events.

“We need our voice to reach everyone”, said Imam Mohammad Qatanani of the Islamic Center of Passaic County.

France is one the countries launching airstrikes on ISIS targets in the Middle East.

“Our community, each time any incident like Paris takes place”, says Husein, “we have to go through all the hate attacks, intimidation, harassment, and so it is very hard”. Only Muslims at large, acting in unison, can deny them any legitimacy and association given them by the name of our faith.

The point is, we do nobody any good by generalizing and discriminating against Muslims who have nothing to do with terrorist attacks.

According to a Public Religion Research Institute poll released Tuesday, 56% of Americans polled agreed with the statement “The values of Islam are at odds with American values and way of life”.

“Those people who perpetuate these horrendous crimes, do not speak for us, they have nothing to do with us”, he said. These terrorists not only call themselves Islamic, they also derive enormous satisfaction in being referred to as Islamic, particularly by other Muslims. “We are saddened by these acts of inhumanity”. Centuries ago, the actions of Muslims against their enemies did include a few horrific and barbaric practices, but these were considered relatively more normal or acceptable at the time.

“I turned on the TV to see the local news, and I saw this frightful picture, and I was actually in shock you know, that something like this was unfolding”, Syed Pirzada said. He says anger and racism will only end up making young Canadian Muslims feel alienated and disenfranchised, driving them to radical groups. “We are peace loving people”.