Ottawa Muslims concerned about backlash

Newsof the arrest of two alleged terrorists in Ottawa, and one in London, Ont.,has some local Muslims andthe police chief concerned about the impacton Muslim residentsof the capital.

But others are not concerned, andsome said Muslimsshould denounce terrorism.

Naeem Malik, president of the Ottawa Muslim Association, is concerned about the potential for a backlash after the arrests of Misbahuddin Ahmed, 26, and Hiva Alizadeh, 30,both of Ottawa, and Khurram Sher, 28, of London.

Police allege themen were part of a terrorist plot targeting sites in Canada and possessed materials to create makeshift bombs. All three havebeen charged with conspiracy to knowingly facilitate a terrorist activity.

Malik said he is hoping that there won't be a repeatof the days after the terror attacks on New York on Sept. 11, 2001, whenMuslims were called names and told to go back to their "country of origin."

Nazira Tareen of the Muslim Women's Association said Muslimshave worked hard for many years to build a peaceful community, "and we don't want these people who we do not know to come here and give us a bad name."

The RCMP and Ottawa police areplanninga meeting with local Muslim leaders to discuss the potential for abacklash, Ottawa Chief Vern White said.

But Abdul Hakim Moalimishak, director of the Ottawa Islamic Centre, said Canadian Muslims have shown themselves to be patriotic and said, "I truly believe that Canadian society knows the difference between religious communities and individuals.I think they can separate that,so I'm not really that worried."

Selma Siddiqui, of the Canadian Muslim Congress, said the allegations have to be taken seriously and people are naive if they believe there are no terrorists in Canada.

"The Muslims have to come out and denounce this," Siddiqui said of alleged terrorist plots.

Ottawa resident Mohammad Mossoud said he backs that idea.

"It's not that I'm Muslim," he said. "I live in Canada. This is my home, this is my country.

"I don't want anybody to do anything wrong to my country."