Since the terror attacks in Paris and San Bernardino there has been a fresh wave of anti-Muslim rhetoric across much of the United States.
Yet the reaction in Vermont has largely been marked by acceptance of the Muslim community. Many Vermonters have expressed their support to the Islamic Society of Vermont, where about 200 people worship each week.
“We are being very fortunate here in Vermont, we’ve been receiving a lot of encouragement and support from our neighbors and faith colleagues, from churches and from synagogues,” says Imam Islam Hassan, the religious leader of the Vermont Society of Islam.
Hassan says the center has received positive emails and messages of support, “and even at some point we found some fruits on the doorstep, and some flowers.”
“We were feeling very welcome,” he says.
The Vermont Society of Islam opened in the late 1990s. There are five daily services for worship, and the community also observes Ramadan and other Muslim rituals.
Hassan says the space serves as a center of worship and a community center, and everyone is welcome. “Our doors are open," he says.
Saddened by any loss of human life
As for the attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Hassan says he’s saddened to hear about the killings: “It’s very saddening for any human being to hear the killing of an innocent people. No matter what religion you are, what faith you may be adhering to.”
“From the religious point of view I always feel sad and disappointed when I see people hijacking my faith and acting under its name and distort the reputation of Islam,” Hassan says.
“A lot of people have to pay the price for their mistakes and for their many actions.”
Muslims speak out against terrorism
Even as President Barack Obama has described the Muslim community as peaceful people who would never think of killing others, the president has called on the Muslim community to nevertheless help speak out against this kind of violence and be vigilant about helping law enforcement prevent it.
Hassan says he agrees with this perspective.
“I think it reflects the condition of the Muslim community, either here in the United States or in the Muslim countries,” he says. Hassan pointed out that about 36 Muslim countries have formed a coalition against terrorism.
If refugees relocated to the United States or Canada did end up being involved in an act of terror — what would he say?
“I totally understand that people care for their country, people care for their safety ... unfortunately the tragedy that happens in California was not carried out by immigrants, it was carried out by U.S. born citizen.”
Hassan says there is a good and bad side of every human being, and unfortunately terror can come from anywhere — from a U.S. citizen, from an immigrant or from someone on a tourist visa.
“So terrorism doesn't have any nationality, it doesn't have any status, it doesn't have any faith. I mean, just terrorism is terrorism; evil is evil, it doesn't have to come from a certain source.”
Editor's note: VPR rents office space in Colchester from the Islamic Society of Vermont.
