GRAND FORKS, N.D. (Valley News Live) A local Islamic leader is calling them lunatics, saying people who commit acts of terrorism or violence are not really part of the Islamic faith.
… that today after, reports a Muslim man who injured 9 people with a knife in St. Cloud this weekend, may be linked to terrorism, or he may have been striking back against people who are anti-Muslim.
Nabil Suleiman is the leader of the Islamic Community in Grand Forks. A Community that nationwide has seen an increase in attacks this year.
According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Many American Muslims fear for their safety and the safety of their families. They don’t think it’s safe for them to go out in public.
Reporter: “Do you think that’s the case here?”
Nabil Suleiman, GF Islamic Leader: “It is the case, but maybe we are not feeling it as much as some other folks in other areas.”
Reporter: “Do you know of any families who think it’s no longer safe to go to the mall or downtown shopping or is more of an uneasiness?”
Suleiman: “Uneasiness. I have not heard from a single person, saying I cannot do this anymore because of so and so.”
Suleiman says when people like the St. Cloud stabber commit acts of violence and if they find out he supposedly did it in the name of Islam… he is not part of the true Islamic faith.
Reporter: “They don’t represent you?”
Nabil Suleiman: “They just don’t represent me, they are living on a different planet it seems. We are way far apart from each other. The way they think is way different. They think like criminals.”
Suleiman says he thinks most people understand Islam does not support violence. However, he says the current rhetoric in the presidential campaign is fanning the flames of protest against the people who practice it… Muslims.
Nabil Suleiman: “Hating a Muslim is becoming like a fashion. It’s not a bad thing anymore. It’s okay to hate Muslims and to abuse them and to try to rip the scarf off a Muslim woman, because some politicians are actually encouraging them.”
Suleiman says if anyone has questions about the true Islamic faith, he’s more than happy to meet with them.