Hawzah News Agency (Georgia,US) - Sharing a message of tolerance and understanding, the Islamic Society of Columbus, western Georgia, US invited nonbelievers of their faith to ask questions and get to a better understanding of the Muslim culture.

“It was very important for us to hold this event to give an opportunity to hear it straight from us, rather than to hear from us as a reaction to certain events in the media or certain events that have happened,” says Basil Gohar, president of the board of director center.

Since Monday’s attack on Ohio State’s campus, the Islamic Society of Columbus said it is important to have a conversation about what it means to be Muslim.

“I think that is for everyone to decide on their own to see what opinion they want to from rather than just follow the opinions of certain people that are out spoken,” Gohar says. “We want people to come to us, learn from us, engage with us, hear from us and then see from that experience what they feel and what they want to inform. We don’t want people’s opinions to form just based on current events.”

Islamic leaders have condemned Monday’s attack, and have asked that the Columbus community come to them if they have any concerns.

“We are members of this community, we are citizens, we are Americans and we want to let people know we are just like you,” Gohar says. “We are just as diverse as you. We have our opinions and differences but we are happy to be here.”

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