Local Muslim Leader: Backlash Over Fort Hood Shooting Won't Happen Here
In the wake of the attack at Fort Hood, some Muslims say they fear backlash, since Hasan is a Muslim. The nation's largest Muslim advocacy organization is urging institutions to beef up security. WFMZ's Bo Koltnow has more on what a local Muslim organization is saying.>> Rob, The Muslim Association of the Lehigh Valley is made up of 120 families. We spoke with a member who says he's hopefully optimistic a back lash won't be felt here.
>>REPORTER: Tonight Mohamed Bugaighis is all smiles as he reads with his grandson Salah... But yesterday when Bugaighis heard the news that fellow Muslim Nidal Malik Hasan is the suspected gunman... accused of killing 13 and injuring 30 at Fort Hood Army base...
>>MOHAMED: I felt disgusted. I felt portrays image of violence. That Muslims portrayal of violence is how we live and that is not true at all.
>>REPORTER: Mohamed is part of the Muslim Association of the Lehigh Valley... He says when extreme acts of violence involve Muslims backlashes have occurred. After 9-11 Mohamed says several local Muslim homes, restaurants and even the associations Mosque were vandalized.
>>MOHAMED: Unfortunate thing with people is they seem to incriminate the whole community rather than the individual who did the crime. >
>REPORTER: Mohamed says so far he hasn't seen a backlash from Thursday's Texas tragedy and is hopefully optimistic he won't. >>NAT: This is for building the Mosque and also to serve the community.
>>REPORTER: He says the Muslim Association has been working with local churches, synagogues and community centers in offering interfaith dialogues to educate people about the Muslim faith. For the most part Mohamed says the Lehigh Valley has listened.
>>MOHAMED: People know us and have better judgement than some isolated community in Texas or Missouri or some where else.
>> Several national Islamic organizations have denounced the shootings as quote "a barbaric act of violence."
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