Letter: Tri-City Muslims worried about the hate and fear of Islam

We recently attended a forum at the Islamic Center of the Tri-Cities to learn how Muslims are being treated locally and across the country.

Approximately 35 members of the mosque introduced themselves. There were physicians from our hospitals, Hanford engineers, Battelle scientists, bankers, sanitation workers and high school students. Some are U.S. citizens; some came to the U.S. for political or religious freedom. But what was most memorable are their roles as mothers, fathers, grandparents, sons and daughters. Their families are their primary identity.

These people are worried about the hate and fear of Islam that they see in the press and social media, and recently from people in the Tri-Cities. These families do not espouse the militant views of the extremists that we see in the press. They are caring, hardworking, peace-loving religious people who denounce the hate crimes that are being perpetrated by a few extremists.

We are proud to live in America, which gives us the right to openly profess and worship in our religious communities without fear of being judged for our beliefs. This freedom is a foundation of our great country. We invite everyone to celebrate our differences.

Peace be upon all of us.

This story was originally published January 16, 2016 at 11:19 AM with the headline "Letter: Tri-City Muslims worried about the hate and fear of Islam."