Whos Who Among American Muslims Condemning Terrorism

In the years since the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, Muslims have found themselves and their religion under intense scrutiny. Islam has been called an evil religion (by Franklin Graham, son of the Rev. Billy Graham), and subsequent bombings and uncovered terror plots (Madrid, London, Mumbai) have only furthered the misconceptions. A recent Associated Press poll revealed that 40 percent of Americans harbored prejudice towards Muslims. Most Muslims say that though they constantly condemn terrorism and violence in Islam's name, they're not being heard. So Beliefnet asked some of America's most promient Muslims--including an imam, a scholar and a comedian--what it is about the faith, about the Qur'an, and about the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad that drives Muslims to reject extremism and terrorism?

Click through this gallery to read their responses.