Cincinnati-area Muslims condemn alleged terror plot

Al-Sharif Nassef, 23, of Indian Hill explains Friday that Islam stands for peace, not violence.(Photo: The Enquirer/Carrie Cochran)CINCINNATI — Worshipers at some of the Cincinnati area's largest mosques emerged from Friday prayer services saying the alleged terror plot by a Green Township man this week has absolutely nothing to do with them – and it's simply a reminder to strengthen their commitment to what they call a religion of peace.Local Muslims also condemned the alleged plans of Christopher Lee Cornell, arrested Wednesday for plotting an attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington.At the Clifton Mosque, leaders told nearly 500 worshipers during a sermon to remain undeterred in the Islamic teachings of peace in the wake of the Cornell news – even though he did not worship there and no one there seemed to know him."When something like this happens, we try to first look inward as a community," said Al-Sharif Nassef, a grass-roots peace activist who lives in Indian Hill. "We have to make sure we're doing the right things – make sure our leaders are supporting the right type of dialogue and make sure we understand our religion. It's about peace, good work, helping our community."The imam's sermon was short and concise – and he reminded worshipers that there is no place for violence."He was saying we should be proud of being Muslims," said Karen Dabdoub, spokeswoman for the Clifton Mosque. "But we should also make sure that we understand what our faith teaches and live according to those teachings. He also said that those teachings do not teach us to hurt other people. He said if anybody here has thoughts like that, then please come and talk to us."Cornell, 20, claimed to have converted to Islam in the past year, according to his family members.He also claimed that he attended a small mosque in South Fairmount, but several worshipers there told The Enquirer this week that they knew nothing about Cornell and had never seen him."If he had availed himself of the classes and programs we have here, this probably wouldn't have happened," Dabdoub said. "I feel sorry for the kid. He looks like a sad, lonely, lost kid. I think he's just a loner looking for some kind of glory online, 15 minutes of fame."Clifton Mosque worshipers had these messages for Cornell:• "If he actually would've come here and listened to our imam, he would've realized, 'I should be volunteering in my community at a soup kitchen,'" said Nassef, 23. "He would hear the rhetoric is of peace, community involvement and making a positive change."• "I would tell him, 'Islam doesn't teach violence. Whatever you are going to do, that's not right. Do not do that,'" said Waled Hasan, 29, of West Chester Township.At the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati in West Chester, no one knows Cornell, mosque spokeswoman Shakila Ahmad said. Leaders and members of that mosque, which attracts more than 1,500 worshipers to two weekly services, "completely condemn" Cornell's alleged plot, she said.Officials at the center expressed some security concerns and said police patrols provided by the West Chester force have been increased.The 18-acre mosque campus, which includes a school, has signs posted declaring the grounds are under 24-hour video surveillance. A Cincinnati police officer stood outside a closed gate during the prayer service at the Clifton Mosque. However, mosque officials said, the officer is always there each Friday simply to direct traffic on Clifton Avenue.Besides Cornell's alleged threats of terrorism, last week's news of terrorist attacks by Islamic extremists in Paris has troubled local mosque officials and worshipers."We as Americans are deeply concerned ... because the faith of Islam is associated with it (recent terrorist acts) in such an erroneous fashion. It's heartbreaking," Ahmad said.Shakila Ahmad, spokeswoman for the Islamic Center of Greater CincinnatiShe said some members of the mosque have raised concerns about the possibility of "hate crimes" against them by those who might blame all Islamic followers. "We have protective police support," Ahmad said, "and we believe in a collaborative relationship with law enforcement."In Clifton, mosque officials said they received a call last week after the Paris attacks from an unidentified woman with a northeast Ohio area code.The caller shouted profanity and other disparaging comments, but did not threaten violence, Dabdoub said.Others had concerns about the impact the Cornell incident would have on the perception of Muslims in the U.S. Nassef feared it would "keep the stereotype alive" that all Muslims believe in violent jihad, or holy war. Dabdoub said all Muslims unfairly "feel the pressure" from society when someone plans or carries out an act of violence in the name of Islam."If Islam was a religion that taught violence and radicalism, then you'd see 6-8 million violent radicals running around this country," Dabdoub said. "That's just not the case. Muslims are doctors, lawyers, business people, cab drivers, soccer coaches, moms and dads. We just want to live our lives, raise our families, put food on the table – just like everybody else."Europe anti-terrorism raids lead to dozens of arrestsJan 16, 2015