What happened several states over is the conversation at the bench. And they have said what many have heard for the longest time in response to terror attacks: “This is not Islam.”
Source/Credit: WFAA 8 ABC
By Jobin Panicker | December 6, 2015
There should be few places safer than a place of worship. Yet, security escorting everyone coming into the parking lot of a mosque in Allen has become reality.
This after another mass-casualty terror attack, this time in California, where 14 innocent people were killed.
Outside the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community mosque in Allen, a group of six men have gathered around a bench to just sit and chat. Just thirty minutes earlier, the mosque had hosted a prayer vigil for the victims in California.
“It’s better for us to do things like this, where you see people eye-to-eye,” said Bilal Bajwa.
It is a place where these Muslims in Allen can talk freely. These men are bonded by faith, but lately, challenged by public perception after what extremists have done.
“I think this is the cancer of Islam. Islam is a healthy body,” said Jari Khan.
What happened several states over is the conversation at the bench. And they have said what many have heard for the longest time in response to terror attacks: “This is not Islam.”
“All the Muslims, it is very important that they have to stand up and say we don’t have anything to do with this sick ideology,” said President Suhail Kausar of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Dallas Chapter.
Tonight we heard no excuses and no justifications -- just condolences and condemnation.
If you were a fly on the wall you would have heard the same around the table.
“Are you scared? At times. You never know,” said one member.
“I do step up my own sort of vigilance a little bit,” said another.
They say this misguided hate stems from fear of the unknown. Bilal Bajwa is hopeful people come around and realize extremism isn’t what his faith is about.
“If you are preaching what is right and what is peaceful, there is no reason to stop that. Until the people preaching the opposite stop,” he said.
The conversations we’re all having on this topic aren’t easy, especially when the innocent have died. In response to security concerns at places of worship, local police departments have already engaged in conversations with several groups to help its citizens feel more secure.
Read original post here: USA: Muslims in Allen, TX, pray for San Bernardino victims
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