Muslim community reacts to unrest

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Protests continue to rage across the Muslim world following an American made movie that ridicules the religion and the Prophet Mohammed.

"It's unfortunate,” said Aliya Chaplin who heads up the Muslim Alliance of Indiana. I don't think violence is the answer to anything.”

Chaplin says the unrest in the Middle East brings American Muslims unrest here at home.

"It's difficult to also have to apologize for these people doing these egregious acts overseas," Chaplin said.

Chaplin says the recent attacks on U.S. Embassies in the Middle East, and the deaths of four U.S. citizens including the U.S. Ambassador to Libya, brings trouble to the local Muslim community - a community that believes in prayer and peace - not violence or hate.

"There are so many Muslims across this community and the State of Indiana. We are good people, we are decent people, we are contributing members of society," said Chaplin.

Over the years, negative images of Muslims in the Middle East have made it more difficult for American Muslims to share their message of peace.

The problem or challenge is nothing new.

Back in 2004 the former head of the Islamic Society of North America shared this with 24-Hour News 8:

"The news you get every day is on TV, newspapers, Internet, etcetera, is extremely painful, but this news is not made overnight it comes because of centuries of misunderstandings," said Sayyid Muhammad Syeed, Ph.D.

Local Muslims want to clear up whatever misunderstandings others have of their religion.

"I go to work and all I want to do is to contribute to society. I'm not a threat. I'm a part of this society. A vibrant part of this great state of Indiana," said Chaplin.

She says education between the different faiths is the key to promoting not just tolerance, but acceptance of one another.