Hoover Islamic Center condemns Fort Hood, Texas shootings

A local Islamic center condemns the violence at Fort Hood.

The violence was condemned after an army major, Nidal Hasan, a practicing Muslim, reportedly opened fire at Fort Hood, killing 13 and wounding 31.

Two Alabama soldiers were among those wounded Thursday. Warrant Officer Chris Royal from Elmore County was shot three times while trying to stop the shooter.  Major Randy Royer of Dothan was also injured in the attacks.

Accusations of not speaking up against violence by Muslims is what led the Hoover Crescent Islamic Center to allow us inside their service and talk about Thursday’s violence.

At Friday’s service at the Hoover Crescent Islamic Center, some 300 people are here to worship and hear a special message from Imam Raed Awed.

The Hoover Crescent Islamic Society’s Imam Raed Awed said, “That we condemn that shooting and we send our condolences to the families of those who were affected.“

It’s a message the society wants more than just the mosque to hear.  Thursday’s shooting at Fort Hood reportedly by a Muslim, Nidal Malik Hasan, has sent ripples through the Muslim world.  For fear of backlash, many are speaking publicly just like Imam Awed.

Imam Awed said, “In our view, as Muslims, any killing of any human being as God has stated in the holy Koran, any killing of any human being is a killing of all humanity.“

Despite what happened in Texas, Imam Awed doesn’t want his society or any other to be condemned by the act of one man.

Imam Awed said, “This act is not an Islamic act, no matter what his name, and what religion he is following, this guy is not a representative of the Muslims.“

Imam Awed said there have already been hate calls made to other mosques around the country due to the violence at Fort Hood.  But, so far, none to the one we visited today in Hoover.

The Hoover Crescent Islamic Center is one of two mosques in the greater Birmingham area. The other is located in Homewood.