Director of Faith Outreach Reacts to Libya Attack
By: Ashley Zilka
Updated: September 12, 2012
On Tuesday, Rochester's Muslim community chose to promote peace by holding a blood drive. Attackers in Libya reacted in a different way killing four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens.
"Yesterday we just had a blood drive. Muslims for Life. It was to honor the victims of 9/11, so while we are here in our mosque and throughout the nation saving lives, this incident happens that very night, and shows Muslims again in a negative light," said Mubarak Bashir, Director of Faith Outreach at the Baitun Naseer Mosque.
It's believed the attacks in Libya and Egypt were sparked by a movie made in the U.S. that disrespects the Prophet Muhammad. Bashir believes the attackers are misguided.
"If you look at the life of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, you would see, during his time, enemies of Islam or enemies that were against his teachings, he never reacted violently," said Bashir.
Bashir says incidents like the embassy attacks reinforce false stereotypes that Muslims are violent. He says it's ironic people defending the Prophet Muhammad would react in a violent way.
"We believe in Jihad of the Pen. Anytime, anything like this happens, you write in defense of Islam by writing articles, coming into the media and showing the true light and teachings of Islam, reacting violently doesn't justify anything," said Bashir.
Bashir says there needs to be universal brotherhood. He says it's time to focus on peace rather than separation.
