Conn. Muslims react to Fort Hood

Hartford (WTNH) - The deadly rampage at Fort Hood continues to draw lots of reaction from Connecticut.

Today, the Islamic Association of Greater Hartford denounced yesterday's violence, which has left 13 service-members dead, and 30 others wounded.

The suspected shooter, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, was shot and remains hospitalized.

The official motive remains under investigation.

The Islamic Association says it hopes law enforcement officials will serve justice on this matter as quickly as possible.

It is the traditional Friday prayer service at the Muhammad Islamic Center in Hamden.

Among other things, this community is praying for the victims and their families in yesterday's shooting rampage at Ft. Hood in Texas.

"Islam is a religion of peace," Dr. Abdul Majid Karim Hasan said.

Hasan say the Koran does not teach violence and they do not preach it. Even the term jihad, or holy war, is not what many Americans believe it is.

"Well, you know, jihad is misunderstood. Jihad does not always mean fighting somebody, killing somebody," Hasan said.

Hasan says jihad represents the struggle against bad behavior and evil influences in one's life. He says they are just as horrified as every other American over the tragedy in Texas.

In fact, Hasan himself is a veteran. He enlisted in the Air Force and served as an airman first class for four years.

"If there was a war that was going on, I would certainly have fought in that war because I'm a citizen of this country and I believe in the constitution," Hasan said.

Those at the Islamic Association tell News Channel 8 that events like this one actually put their lives in danger as well because of the backlash against their religion.

There is no indication that the shooting spree was over religious differences, though the suspect apparently shouted 'Allah Akbar, that is arabic for God is great just before he opened fire.

"There are good Muslims in the world, there are good Christians, there are good Jews, there are good other people, there are also bad Christians, bad Jews and bad Muslims," Hasan said.