Despite our dedication to our faith as Muslims, many people in America and around the world identify us as terrorists and murderers. Even today, people link Muslims to 9/11 and current terrorist attacks. Here’s the truth: we are not all terrorists and murderers. The actions that organizations such as Al-Qaeda or ISIS are implementing into their plans do not follow the requests of God, and it does not represent the nation of Muslim people.

What these self-proclaimed “followers of God” are trying to teach to the Muslim nation and the message they are trying to send to the people of the world is not true. They are trying to hide their actions behind the name of God, insisting that what they are doing is what God commands of them, but that is not true. People from mosques all over the country are not rallying and or trying to harm innocent people. They, ISIS and AL-Qaeda, are trying to sway pure Muslims from the path of Islam by giving false information such as that internment camps are being developed for Muslims by America, when obviously there aren’t any such places being created.

As a matter of fact, some Americans are bashing Muslims and trying to cause harm. Some mosques have already been damaged or destroyed burned by molotov cocktails or been stoned. A report about an incident in California stated that in December, members of a mosque called the local sheriff’s office stating that their mosque had been burned. People who have no connection whatsoever to terrorist organizations are being ridiculed and have contempt for our nation of believers.

It’s against our religion to force our religion unto others. The Quran, for people that do not know, states: “Allah does not forbid you [O you who believe!] from being kind and just to those who have not waged war against you because of your religion and have not driven you out of your homes. Surely Allah loves those who are just (60.8).”

This passage states: “For god does not condemn you from being kind to those who have not waged war against you because of your religion and have not driven you out of your homes.”

Do not assume all Muslims are terrorists because of all the headlines in the news about ISIS. I myself, do not appreciate the fact that fellow Muslims out there who aren’t even tied to a terrorist group are condemned for the actions of a group they don’t affiliate with.

Don’t judge until you know what that person is really like because you may just find that person to be very kind and generous.