Countless Polls Prove Muslims are Against Terrorism According to Atif Fareed

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muslim against terrorism

AMCC President Atif Fareed, in the wake of the November 2015 Paris attack and the December 2015 San Bernardino attack calls for solidarity in standing up to terrorism. He reminds everybody that Muslims are with the rest of the world in condemning such senseless acts of death and violence. He further states that Muslims today have become more vocal in denouncing terror attacks.Atif Fareed cites a 2007 survey conducted by Pew Research to prove that majority of Muslims have always been against terrorism. The poll asked Muslims only one question, “Can suicide bombing and other forms of violence against civilian targets to defend Islam be justified?” The results of the poll are as follows:

• France – 64% said NEVER; 19% said RARELY, 10% said SOMETIMES; and 6% said OFTEN.
• Britain – 70% said NEVER; 9% said RARELY, 12% said SOMETIMES; and 3% said OFTEN.
• Germany – 83% said NEVER; 6% said RARELY, 6% said SOMETIMES; and 1% said OFTEN.
• Spain – 69% said NEVER; 9% said RARELY, 10% said SOMETIMES; and 6% said OFTEN.
• Egypt – 45% said NEVER; 25% said RARELY, 20% said SOMETIMES; and 8% said OFTEN.
• Turkey – 61% said NEVER; 9% said RARELY, 14% said SOMETIMES; and 3% said OFTEN.
• Jordan – 43% said NEVER; 28% said RARELY, 24% said SOMETIMES; and 5% said OFTEN.
• Nigeria – 28% said NEVER; 23% said RARELY, 38% said SOMETIMES; and 8% said OFTEN.
• Pakistan – 69% said NEVER; 8% said RARELY, 7% said SOMETIMES; and 7% said OFTEN.
• Indonesia – 71% said NEVER; 18% said RARELY, 8% said SOMETIMES; and 2% said OFTEN.

In 2013, Pew Research conducted a similar survey got the following results:

• Globally, 72% of Muslims believe violence against civilians is never justified.
• 81% of Muslim Americans believe violence against civilians is never justified.
• 60% of Muslims in Britain prefer to live under British law instead of Sharia Law.
• 64% of British Muslims believe that those converting to another religion should not be executed.

end islamophobia

Fareed believes that the poll clearly reveal that majority of the Islam world opposes attacks on civilians. Muslims from all over the world are also showing their respect for other faiths. Islam not the religion of death that terrorist groups such as the Islamic State claims it to be. He further states that Islam is a religion of love, peace, and discipline. He also said that the doors of mosques and community centers are open to non-Muslims. He invites everyone to learn more about the Islamic faith.

Related Articles:

Muslims Around the World Speak Out Against Terrorist Attacks in Paris – http://time.com/4112830/muslims-paris-terror-attacks-islam-condemn/

Hundreds of Muslims marching against terrorism in London ‘ignored by British media’ – http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/hundreds-muslims-marching-against-terrorism-6977099

Donald Trump Advised by Atif Fareed to Answer Muslim Leaders’ Invite to Mosque

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donald-trump-on-muslims

Donald Trump is arguably the most controversial presidential candidate the United States has had in a very long while. One of his most controversial comments was given as a reaction to the terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California last December 2, 2015 that killed 14 people and gravely injured 22 others. Trump’s widely condemned statement said that all Muslims should be completely banned from entering the United States until all the details of the attack are made clear.

The Mosque Invite

A few days after the controversial statement, AMCC President Atif Fareed along with representatives from 13 local Muslim groups invited Trump to come to a mosque and have a sit down with them. Fareed believes that Trump was only able to utter such statement because he is too ignorant of what Islam truly stands for. Fareed further said that the fact that Trump thinks that all Muslims wanting to visit or migrate to the US have horrible things in their mind shows that Trump has a lot to learn about the religion. Fareed guarantees that Trump will definitely change his mind when he hears what the Muslim community representatives have to say.

terrorism has no religion

Build and Don’t Burn Bridges

Atif Fareed does not expect Donald Trump to answer their invite but he has a particular advice for him. He tells Trump to build bridges instead of burning them. As a presidential candidate, Trump should make it his responsibility to help Muslims and non-Muslims in the country get along with one another. Currently, all Trump is doing is fuelling a divide that may split the nation in two. American Muslims know they are a minority and they respect people of other faith. In turn, they hope that they will also receive the respect that they deserve.

Trump and Racism

Muslim leaders not only in America but all around the world are saying that Trump is becoming part of the problem by fueling racism against Muslims. He has become a major contributor to making the public, especially the youth; think that all Muslims are terrorists. Nothing can be further from the truth. Muslims all over the world have consistently denounced any and all kinds of terror attacks. Terrorists have no religion. Terrorists are merely hiding behind a version of Islam that they have already twisted and defiled beyond recognition.

The AMCC is encouraging all mosques and Muslim centers to be more transparent in helping nearby communities to help make people like Trump learn that not all Muslims in America are there to spill American blood.

Amidst the Aftermath of the Brussels Attack, Atif Fareed Echoes Pope Francis

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easter ritual of pope francis

President of the American Muslim Community Centers Atif Fareed believes that we should all follow Pope Francis’ example and call for unity as the world mourns for the victims of the Brussels attack. The March 22 terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of 31 victims and injured 300 others threaten to create a divide among Christians, Hindus, and Muslims. Fareed believes that destabilizing the relationship of people belonging to different faiths is one of the goals of terrorism. We should, therefore, do everything we can to stay united so terror does not win.

The Pope Leading by Example

On the 24th of March 2016, Holy Thursday and two days after the attack on Brussels, Pope Francis conducted a foot-washing ritual at a refugee center in Castelnuovo di Porto. He washed and kissed the feet of Christian, Muslim, and Hindu refugees alike. He welcomed all the refugees and declared them all us children of the one and only God. He also stated that the terror attack should not result to anti-Muslim sentiment because the terrorists do not represent Islam. The Pope also called for brotherhood and asked for everyone to help one another and stand together in denouncing terrorism.

brussels attack means war

The Brussels Attack is a Gesture of War

Atif Fareed agrees with Pope Francis that the senseless attacks were a gesture of war perpetrated by barbarians who want to sow fear and panic by targeting asylum-seekers who only want to be safe and far from the fighting. Fareed calls for mutual respect saying that our religions and cultures may greatly differ from one another but we should not let these differences come between us. We all want to live in peace and these terrorists are the biggest threat to the peaceful world we dream of. We should follow the lead of the migrants. The migrants are a mix of Christians, Muslims, and Hindus but they are all helping each other find and reach a place where they can be far from the warzones and the battles.

The Holy Thursday Foot Washing Ritual

The foot washing ritual relives the act Jesus performed on his apostles before he was taken and later crucified. Washing and kissing someone else’s feet is a gesture of service, gratitude, and humility. It symbolizes caring for one another as if we were brothers. It is the polar opposite of the gesture of war and destruction shown by the terror attacks on Brussels. The migrants represented a brotherhood composed of people of different faiths, a brotherhood terrorists wanted to destroy.

Atif Fareed’s Picks for American Muslim Community Center Initiatives

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muslims are no terrorists

The American Muslim demographic, despite all the challenges, continues to expand. This is great news for the Muslim community, however, it also proves to be a huge challenge for American Muslim Community Centers to provide adequate support to them. The growing number and diversity of the youth requires community centers and mosques to reinvent themselves so they can reach out to these youth and make them feel welcome and loved in the land of the free. Atif Fareed believes that AMCCs should launch a few initiatives.

Install a Welcome Sign

All Muslim community centers should have an “All are Welcome” sign that is visible enough for everyone nearby to see. This sign will serve as a symbol of the center or mosque’s hospitality and willingness to accommodate all who desire to know more about Islam. It will attract more Muslims and also attract non-Muslims to at least take a peek. Another sign explaining the dress code and its relevance to the faith should also be installed preferably near the entrance of structure. This will be quite helpful especially for those who know little about Islam as they will be able to prepare the necessary clothing if they truly want to go inside.

Stay Connected with Other Centers

All Islamic centers have the same purpose which is to share to Muslims and non-Muslims alike the truth about Islam. They would be able to do this more effectively and efficiently if they communicate and collaborate with one another often. Connection should not be limited to fellow centers; it should also extend to mosques, other community centers, and other non-profit organizations. Centers can also leverage the power of social media to overcome traditional barriers of communication. Each center should also post regular bulletins and press releases about its activities and updates.

terrorism is not islam

Provide Recreational Space for the Youth

Attracting the youth is one of the biggest challenges Islamic community centers are facing today. One of the best ways of overcoming this obstacle is allowing the youth to have fun and be entertained while learning about the religion. Dedicate a space for recreational and sports activities. If not enough space is available, you can hold weekly or bi-weekly recreational activities on days when there are no sermons or school lessons. The new generation is our future. We should find ways to get them invested in learning about our faith.

Atif Fareed believes that American Muslim community centers play a pivotal role in informing the public about what true Islam is. Islam is not represented by terrorists. It is represented by people who want to help and who want to coexist with others regardless of religion.

Outrage Caused by Terror Attacks Also Shared by Muslims According to Atif Fareed

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Atif Fareed, the president of the American Muslim Community Center strongly believes that people are wrong when they claim that Muslims do not denounce terror attacks enough. He says that Muslims, from government and religious leaders to ordinary civilians, have been increasingly vocal in condemning acts of terrorism in the past decade.

terror attacks on brussles

In the aftermath of the Paris attack, proof of Muslims denouncing terror strikes can be found everywhere according to Fareed. The coordinated strikes resulted to 130 casualties that saddened and angered the whole world, including Muslims. Below are summaries of just some of the reactions of Muslim leaders and Muslim organizations that Atif Fareed has compiled.

1. Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
The people behind the Paris attacks are brutes and cowards. The perpetrators should be apprehended swiftly and punished to the full extent of the law.
2. Spokesperson Qasim of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
Islam condemns needless violence. Prophet Muhammad teachings require Muslims to take responsibility in keeping people around them safe. The attacks on Paris are not about religion, they are about political power. The people behind the attack are cowards who manipulate the ignorant and the uneducated into dying for them.
3. Muslim Council of Britain
Nothing justifies the taking of life. The Paris attacks are gravely immoral, offensive, and insulting against Prophet Muhammad. Needless murder is like spitting on the phase of Muhammad who has always preached about peace.
4. French Muslim Council (CFCM)
The barbaric attacks are an assault to democracy and freedom of expression. We should all stay united and not let these terrorists manipulate us into blaming one another.
5. Union of Islamic Organizations of France (UOIF)
The perpetrators of these attacks are criminals and the horrible deaths they have caused are unforgivable.
6. Chief Nabil al-Arabi of the Arab League
We strongly condemn these cowardly and senseless acts.
7. Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association
Human life is sacred to Islam. Taking the life of innocent civilians is appalling and simply unjustifiable.
8. Muslim Advisory Council to the NYPD
Killing innocent people to avenge Prophet Muhammad makes absolutely no sense. Muhammad is a prophet of peace and would never wish such wanton violence.
9. Birmingham Islamic Society of Alabama
Prophet Muhammad wished those who mocked him well and prayed for them. The brutes and murderers who perpetrated the attacks are not defenders of Islam.
10. Dalil Boubakeur, imam at the mosque of Paris
These terror attacks are an act of war.


We should not let terrorism divide us. Let our outrage unite us in our fight against terrorists.

You might also like:

Live blog: Latest on Brussels attacks – http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/22/europe/brussels-explosions-latest-updates-live/

“Do not Fear Islam” says New Orlando Billboards

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do not fear islam

The global problem of terrorism has grown a lot worse in the past few years. Attacks have become more frequent and terrorists have become more brazen. Just in November 2015, coordinated terror attacks hit Paris which led to 130 needless deaths. As fear of terrorism grows, many have begun to fear Islam along with it. According to AMCC president Atif Fareed, such fear is unfounded. Islam has nothing to do with terrorism. Terrorists in no way represent Islam. Terror groups such as the Islamic State (IS) may claim to follow Islam but their actions speak otherwise. Islam is a religion of love and peace and does not advocate killing and violence.

To help people realize that there is no need to fear Islam; Atif Fareed has led a campaign of spreading billboards across major US cities. Each of these billboards conveys a message about the true Islam. Some of the billboards, costing around $10,000 each, are located in the following areas:

1. in Tampa, at 40th Street East, 300 feet south of Martin Luther King facing north;
2. in Tampa, at 50th Street East, 200 feet south of 5th Avenue facing south;
3. in Pinellas County, located on U.S. 19, 850 feet south of 150th Avenue, facing north.

Atif Fareed says that more billboards are on the way. At the moment, there are already more than a hundred “Why Islam” billboards in various locations in the United States. The campaign intends to heave at least one billboard in every city that has a Muslim community. The billboards also encourage non-Muslims to learn more about Islam through the toll-free number and website found on each billboard. Calling the number will direct one to an information center where they can ask anything they want to know about the religion and Muslim Americans as well. The website, on the other hand, has everything one needs to know about the teachings of Islam as well as Muslim culture and traditions. Fareed believes that the best way of getting rid of the fear of Islam is to help people know more about the faith. AMCC is also offering free copies of the Quran for non-Muslims who want to learn about Islam.

The AMCC in cooperation with ICNA is also having a social media campaign called #WhoisMuhammad. The campaign simply encourages Muslims, especially those in America, to tweet or post something about Muhammad in social media and tag the post with the hash tag #WhoisMuhammad. Muslim Americans are looking forward for the day when nobody fears Islam.