Centerville Muslim leader condemns terror attacks in California

CENTERVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Centerville Muslim leader is condemning last week’s mass shooting in California. 

It’s not easy when you’re fighting an uphill battle. 

“It’s a betrayal. It’s very offensive to our faith,” Imam Adam Fofana said. 

He’s the spiritual leader at the Islamic Center of Middle Georgia in Centerville. Fofana put out a statement saying Muslims are against terrorism. 

“We cannot just remain silent or individually and condemn this. We have to make clear where we stand,” Fofana said. 

After watching the mass shootings in California and Paris, Fofana felt it necessary to tell the community he and his congregation don’t stand with extremists.

“The worst thing is to give into your fear and to give into your ignorance,” he said. 

He says it doesn’t help hearing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s reaction to Muslims. 

“Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States,” Trump said at a rally Monday. 

“You cannot discriminate a group of people based on their faith when they are part of the fabric of the country,” Fofana said.

Fofana estimates there’s about 1,000 Muslims in Middle Georgia and is looking to teach people who may not know about his faith.

“Education. To educate people, to educate our youth, to educate members of our community and not to get brainwashed by these criminal groups,” he said.

He adds Muslims around the world are standing with of religions and groups looking to stop the spread of terror. 

“If humanity is united against this group, then we will defeat them. I have no doubt we will defeat them. But if you start pointing fingers and saying it’s not me it’s you, then that’s what they want,” Fofana said. 

Fofana says he and other Muslims across the country have raised more than $134,000 for victims of the San Bernardino shooting.