Muslims fear backlash after Paris attacks

People observe a minute of silence outside the Bataclan music hall to pay tribute to the victims of the series of deadly attacks on Friday, in Paris, France, on November 16, 2015.

Jeffry Halverson, assistant professor of religion in the philosophy department at Coastal Carolina University, took the time to clear up a few of the stereotypes toward Islam Monday in the wake of the attacks in Paris.

The world head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mirza Masroor Ahmad expressed his heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the French nation, its people and government following the terrorist attacks.

Terrorists are a threat to all people and their acts are evil that run “contrary to all religious teachings and customs”, said Imam Mohammed Dukuly of Masjid Al-Ansar Islamic Community Center in Brooklyn Center.

France is one the countries launching airstrikes on ISIS targets in the Middle East. “We are peace loving people”.

“ISIS claims these attacks protect Prophet Muhammad’s honor, when in fact this does him the greatest dishonor”, said Nasim Rehmatullah, national vice president of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA.

The peak body for Australian Muslims has condemned the Paris terrorist attacks describing them as “heinous” acts of violence.

Death and destruction in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq is a common occurrence and they are used to it. We are not. “Because by doing battle, they think they will eventually succeed, they eventually will conquer and establish their domination over the world.it’s a bit of megalomania”.

Here’s to hoping that in our pain and grief in the aftermath of last week’s violence all over the world, we collectively rise above the hatred Daesh hopes to engender, and show compassion instead.

“This is not what Muslims believe, this is not what Muslims practice”. Islam is a religion of mercy and tolerance that totally prohibits the taking of innocent lives.

No one was inside the mosque at the time, but the fire caused $80,000 in smoke damage and put the local Muslim community on edge.

Nevertheless the #NotInMyName movement is empowering many Muslims to reclaim their beliefs and speak out against Islamic misconceptions.