Most people in the U.S. and Europe are concerned about the rise of violent activities by extremists who say they are Muslims. That is just one of the findings in a new survey by Pew, a research polling group in the U.S. Another finding: people in the U.S. were most likely to name Islam as a violent religion.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, held a press conference in Washington D.C. Thursday, to release a new video PSA, or public service announcement, called "Not in the Name of Islam."
(audio on tape)
Woman: "As Muslims we want to state clearly..."
Man: "…that those who commit acts of terror in the name of Islam are betraying the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammed."
CAIR and other large Muslim organizations in the U.S. have consistently spoken out against violence against civilians, whether at home or abroad. The announcement comes at a particularly troublesome moment.
Authorities in England now believe that British Muslims may have been involved in last week's bombings that killed more than 50 in London
In Israel, a suicide bombing this week killed four. The group Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility.
And in Bagdhad Wednesday a car bomb killed 27 and injured at least 70 others. Among the dead, more than 12 children and one U.S. soldier. These atrocities were condemned by CAIR Chairman Parvez Ahmed.
The chairman said, "Any effort by terrorists to hide their criminal activities under the mask of religious piety is being categorically and unequivocally rejected by mainstream Muslims."
CAIR has also put its video message online, hoping that will help convey their message to the world.
