USA: Muslim community reacts to bin Laden's death

Following the news of bin Laden's death comes a vow for retaliation from Al Qaeda and with that, a heightened level of security in the U.S. But might it also re-ignite fear toward the Muslim community like the terrorists' actions did in 2001? Our Erin Vannella talked to one member of the local Ahmadiyya Muslim community, who said such fears are real, but unfair.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: YNN | Capital Region
By: Erin Vannella | May 2, 2011

LBANY, N.Y. -- "He was not a man who understood what Islam meant," said Ahmadiyya Muslim Community leader Tahira Khan. "Because Islam means peace."

Osama bin Laden's death turns the spotlight back on an already very visible, often misunderstood Muslim community.

"Islam is completely against terrorism, which is what he wanted to do," said Khan. "Islam doesn't allow us to hurt others or to inflict pain on other people and his actions did all of those."


Khan says bin Laden's death renews old questions about the Islamic faith and the terrorist leader's relationship to the religion.

"Our biggest motto in our branch of Islam is love for all, hatred for none," said Khan. "How can you do that if you're hurting others? And Osama bin Laden, unfortunately, for the last decade, has made a career, instead of giving himself up as this leader, of allowing millions of people to die because of him."

And those who haven't made that distinction, said Khan, have unfairly tarnished the faith's reputation. And respect for the greater Muslim community therefore remains scarred.

"I can quite understand why people in the community are fearful of Muslims," said Khan. "They are fearful of all the unrest in the Middle East and Pakistan and places where Muslims are, but it's not the religion. People in the community should understand it's a few evil people who are using their voice loudly."

And so now comes an opportunity, said Khan, to use the spotlight for the truth and profess a faith of peace.

"That's the only silver lining," said Khan. "That we can educate and we can show people that we're part of your community in the capital district. We're working with you."


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