I am Muslim; they are terrorists

Over the past few months, talks of ISIS attacks have increased with fear, bigotry and anger directed at the Muslim community reaching a fever pitch. After the attacks in Paris, calls have again been raised across the world for Muslims to rise up and speak out against the Islamic State group in all the forms they may take.

I would like to reaffirm that once again, those calls are happening, with those around the world taking to social media and using the hashtag #PrayForParis, and Muslims taking to the internet to use the hashtag #NotInMyName to decry the hijackers of their religion.

It is time that the rest of the world take this time to understand that the actions of a few thousand do not represent the over 2 billion practicing Muslims the world over. Islam is a religion of peace and those who see and read the Quran for the teachings it gives understand that what this group is doing is detestable to the religious scripture.

I am a Muslim, they are terrorists and if we begin to blur the lines between the two, then we are allowing them to gain the upper hand.

This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 9:29 AM with the headline "I am Muslim; they are terrorists."