KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Metro Muslims spokes out about their religion Friday night. They want people to understand Islam does not condone Thursday’s attack on American soldiers at Fort Hood.
“We don’t know, you know, why people sometimes do what they do, but to connect it to his belief, I think, is a conclusion that can’t be made so easily,” said Raqibul Huq, president of Islamic Society of Greater Kansas City.
Prayer is one of five pillars of Islam. Believers said it demonstrates faith and helps keep Muslims in touch with Allah.
Those gathered inside a south Kansas City mosque Friday night were also in touch with sorrow. They mourned for 13 soldiers killed by an Army major who happens to be Muslim.
“He may be Muslim, but really, that doesn’t have anything to do with the way he acted it out,” Huq said.
Army veteran MD Alam fears negative stereotypes.
“I’m proud to be a Muslim,” Alam said. “But, I really don’t want to see that a Muslim is causing problems for the whole Muslim community.”
“I’d like to say on behalf of Islamic citizens of greater Kansas City, that we definitely condemn this senseless act of violence in the strongest possible terms,” Huq said.
Members inside the mosque said they have not experienced any local backlash.
“Since September 11
th, we realized we needed to be more actively involved with the community,” Huq said.
So, the ISGKC build a $1.7 million school and community center. It opened in August. It is available for public use.
Huq said community service is a big part of his religion and his society’s mission.
“The more people know about us, the less they’ll be hesitant to point fingers,” Huq said.
