Upstate Muslims React To Killings

GREENVILLE - WYFF 4.com

Upstate Muslims fear backlash in the wake of the killings at Fort Hood. The accused gunman is reportedly a Muslim, but locals say the Islam religion is all about peace.

“I'm sure, as just like any religion, just like any heritage, it has the good, bad the ugly and we have those, too. Well, they claim they are Muslims. They might do it in the name of the religion, but Islam as a religion does not call for killing. It does not call for destruction. As a matter of fact, it is a very peaceful religion," said Mazen Abu-Shanab, president of the Islamic Center of Greenville.

Abu-Shanab said he’s “totally against” what happened in Fort Hood, Texas.

"My deepest condolences for the families for what they have lost yesterday. Their loss is our loss," said Abu-Shanab

The father of eight children sends his kids to public schools and worries about how the children will be treated.

"I have to sit down talk to my kids and prepare them and that's something we shouldn't have to do," said Abu-Shanab.

Abu-Shanab owns several businesses in the Upstate and says the people in Greenville are very supportive. It’s only when tragedies like the Fort Hood massacre happen, that he and other Muslims fear a backlash.

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