Killings not a part of Islam

There is absolutely no justification in the mass killings of innocent civilians at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California. The situation was horrific, and the aftermath must be handled with care and precision.

I believe as humans we must bind together through education and not generalize.

My surname is Saiyed and I am proud to have that in my name. The diseased suspect's name was also Syed (spelled differently than mine). Other than that, I had nothing in common with this person who claimed to be "Muslim." The Islam I know and practice is 180 degrees opposite to what this lunatic was claiming to practice.

I am a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community - the oldest Muslim organization in the USA. We are banded together through our motto "Love for All, Hatred for None."

As a law-abiding, loving, and peaceful citizen of this country, I condemn this act in the strongest of terms. According to the true Islamic doctrine, "the killing of an innocent person is akin to killing all of mankind."

The narrative is that this disgusting human carried out his vicious act in the name of Islam.

If one simply looks at a media outlet, they will see phrases such as "Islamic terrorist", "Islamic radical", and "Islamic militant," when referencing the killer.

Next time I'm at a Starbucks and I pay with my credit card, will the person taking my payment think of me in those above terms because of my surname or because I'm Muslim?

Unfortunately, it's a question that millions of other law abiding, loving, and peaceful Muslims are asking themselves.

Saiyed Kaashif Qaderi

Chicago