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Local Muslim organization responds to terror arrest

PLAINFIELD, Ind. (WISH) – In Plainfield, home to the Islamic Center, news of the arrest of 26-year-old Nihad Rosic relieved members of the mosque who say they don’t want terror suspects in their neighborhood.

The group says they are a mainstream Muslim organization and have been clear on their denunciation of terrorism.

The mosque has been a fixture in Plainfield since 1982. Members say they are like everyone else, just trying to live their lives. They’re happy to hear law enforcement was able to get another terror suspect off the streets because when it comes to terrorism, the Islamic Society of America makes one thing very clear – it won’t be tolerated.

“It is actually against Islamic teachings to commit terrorism or to help anyone commit terrorism and it is our duty to notify law enforcement and authorities of any plots or anything that might happen,” said Edgar Hopida, Communications Director of the Islamic Society of North America.

To that end, the group tries to be proactive in its teachings, Hopida said, through community programs, youth camps, and other events, in an attempt to teach mainstream Islam. But it’s not always the way some come to embrace the religion.

“Unfortunately, a lot of these terror suspects, they learn Islam from YouTube, from social media and so that’s where they get their information from. They don’t get it from the mosque,” he said. “They don’t get it from the wider community.”

A community that is no different than the one surrounding it.

“We are just like everybody else. We are just trying to live our lives and we are just as appalled by ISIS and these terrorists just like anyone else,” Hopida said. “We don’t want any terror suspects in our neighborhood so I’m glad they caught him here in Plainfield.”