In Islam, there are only two sources of knowledge upon which the faith is based – the Quran, which is the scripture of Islam, and the practice or sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. No jihadist website or Twitter feed or old recording of Anwar al-Awlaki is a source for Islamic learning – period.

And as a devout Ahmadi Muslim, I’m proud to say – although I am saddened that I have to actually say it – that in neither the Quran nor the life and teachings of the Prophet will you find anything even remotely condoning the acts of Rouleau or Zehaf-Bibeau.

On the contrary, it was the Prophet who taught “loyalty to one’s land of residence is part of faith.” Was this ever stressed to Zehaf-Bibeau, who committed the antithesis of loyalty to Canada when he shot Cpl. Nathan Cirillo as he stood guard at the National War Memorial?

And it is the Quran which teaches that “whosoever killed a person…it shall be as if he had killed all mankind,” and that we should “create not disorder in the earth” because “God loves not those who create disorder.”

So we can’t ever forget that these radicalized jihadis are not basing their actions on the true teachings of Islam, but rather on a twisted politicized version shared by some other like-minded individuals, either online or in extremist circles.

And we also can’t forget that such people are a minutely small number in comparison to the overwhelming majority of Muslims who are peaceful, normal people living normal lives.

It’s easy, in the midst of all the chaos and negativity surrounding Islam right now, to get carried away and think that this is what Muslims – or at least a sizeable portion of Muslims – really are about. But don’t forget, there are 1.8 billion Muslims on earth.

In Canada, out of the nearly 1 million Muslims who live here, there are about 90 currently being investigated for radicalized tendencies. This is less than a drop in the bucket, compared to the 99 per cent of Muslims who are law-abiding, peaceful, loyal and proud Canadians.

Now, more than ever, is a time of great reflection and vigilance for Muslim communities in Canada. In a world in which the menace of ISIS has raised its head and is reaching out to vulnerable, impressionable Muslim youth all over the world through Internet chat-rooms and social media, Muslims in Canada need to recognize that we must influence our children with the right form of Islam, lest somebody else gets to them.

But as Muslims in Canada embark on this battle of vigilance against the scourge of extremism in our youth, let’s remember that this something they can’t do alone.

From the authorities, to our neighbours, they will, more than ever, need the help of their fellow Canadians.

And together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve. This is the promise of Canada; nothing can change that.

Ahmed Sahi is a GTA-based writer and journalist. ahmedsahi89@gmail.com