Detroit Muslim community calls for unity after attacks

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (WJBK) - For the second time in four months, terrorists have struck in the name of the Islamic state. In Metro Detroit, home to the largest population of Muslims outside of the Middle East, the Islamic community is taking notice.

There is some concern in Muslim communities, in Michigan and around the world, that the latest attacks will once again fuel Islamaphobia or even hate crimes. Local religious leaders are hoping to prevent that and are calling for unity and peace.

"The pain and suffering is multiplied seven fold because number one, is loss of life and number two, it was committed by people who call themselves Muslims," Dr. Mansoor Qureshi said.

Qureshi is the president of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and his goal is to build a bridge over an ever-widening gap between Muslims and the rest of the world.

He tried after the attacks that killed more than 100 in Paris in November. He also tried after the attacks in San Bernadino. Now he'll try again following the apparent suicide bombings at a train station and airport that killed more than two dozen and injured hundreds in Brussels.

The message is simple: Love for all, hatred for none. That's at the Muslim Community Center in Rochester Hills. However, after each attack those trying to spread this message feel as though they are starting over.

"All of our efforts are blasted away with every suicide bombing," Qureshi said.

Some Americans may not have knowledge about Muslims and Islam outside of the terror attacks - and they may not want to - that's an obstacle Qureshi is well aware of.

"It is more challenging for our youth because the political leaders are the thought leaders and they are people that our youngsters look up to and if they speak about hate and creating divides in the community, it's hard to patch up," Qureshi said.

The Ahmadiyya Community will host an open symposium on Wednesday at Henry Ford College comparing what they call true Islam and extremists.

"We are going to the students, professors and educate them about what true islam is all about," Qureshi said.

The symposium is yet another attempt to undue the damage of terrorism done at the hands of ISIS.