By Dilshad D. Ali
Beliefnet Islam Editor

Every few months another story hits the news: Terrorist plot uncovered, Muslims implicated. Since the tragedy of 9/11, Muslims have remained under intense scrutiny, and more than a few Americans have called the religion "evil." People still wonder: Why aren't Muslims saying--or doing--enough to condemn terrorism and violence? Is Islam really a religion of violence?

The truth is, American Muslims are constantly condemning terrorism and religious extremism, unambiguously and in the strongest possible ways. But, many Muslims complain, their words and actions are not being heard. So Beliefnet sought out some of the country's most prominent Muslims, who battle these misconceptions everyday, to get their answers on this question:

What is it about Islam, the Qur'an, and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad that drives Muslims to reject extremism and terrorism?

Click through this gallery to learn about these extraordinary Americans and what they have to say.

Usman is a stand-up comedian and member of the popular "Allah Made Me Funny" comedy troupe. The group travels the U.S. grabbing laughs about the situations in which Muslims find themselves in America today, like being subject to "random" airport searches and suspicious stares on airplanes. Usman believes humor is a universal way to break down religious and cultural barriers. He is also a lawyer, columnist, and an on-air personality on MTV Desi.

"The Qur'an teaches human beings to ... 'stand up as witnesses for God,' even if it be against themselves. Being a witness for God, to me, includes standing up against injustice, oppression, and tyranny--whatever the form, and whoever the perpetrators ... "

Amanullah has harnessed the power of the Internet to spread a positive view of Islam. A frequent Beliefnet contributor, Amanullah is one of the country's foremost Muslim journalists. He is the editor of altmuslim.com, a Muslim news website, and founder of Halalfire Media, a network of Muslim-themed websites with more than five million annual visitors. Through his work Amanullah has tapped into a strong force of online activism.

"Islam stresses public order and the rule of the law. Terrorism destroys this social order and decreases the tranquility of life that Islam emphasizes. ... "

When Mattson was elected president of the Islamic Society of Northern America (ISNA) in 2006, she became the first woman to lead one of the most powerful Muslim social, civic, and political organizations in the country and America's largest, most inclusive Islamic group. Mattson leads ISNA at a challenging time when American Muslims are struggling to promote their religion, encourage interfaith dialogue, and separate themselves from the views of extremists.

"Americans should turn off the TV and look for opportunities to get to know their Muslim neighbor, because it will alleviate a great deal of fear and anxiety. ... "

One of the most sought-after American Muslims speakers, Rauf is an imam in New York City, a participant in Beliefnet's "Preachers and Teachers," feature, and the chairman of the Cordoba Initiative, a multi-faith organization that seeks to improve relations between the Islamic world and the West. As the author of several books, including "What's Right with Islam: A New Vision for Muslims and the West," Rauf is on the frontlines of interfaith dialogue.

"The Holy Qur'an teaches us that ... 'Whoever kills a human being ... is as if he has killed all humankind; and if he saves a human life, it is as if he has saved the lives of all humankind (Qur'an 5:32)'... "

Last year, renowned Islam scholar Ahmed took two American college students on a journey through the Muslim world, seeking to understand what the Islamic world thought of the West. This seminal "Islam in the Age of Globalization" tour explored the resentment Muslims abroad feel toward the West and how those frustrations could be overcome through honesty, friendship, and dialogue. Ahmed is also the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies and a professor of international relations at American University.

"At the core of Islamic action is the notion of adl (justice). The name of God--and the core of the universe--is adl. When you don't have adl, you have imbalance, chaos and anarchy..."

Nomani has been both hailed and denounced for her work as a feminist Muslim activist. In 2003, she challenged the leaders of her local mosque in Morgantown, W.V. to allow women to enter by the front door and pray alongside men. That protest led to her fight for women-led prayers and gender equality in mosques across the country. Though Nomani remains a controversial figure among American Muslims, her commitment to gender parity and support for a fair representation of Islam continues to attract attention.

"I get clarity about what Islam can be through the fact that one of Allah's 99 names is Al-Wadud, or ... 'The Loving One.' While it is easy to demonize Islam based on the actions of extremists, in reality our faith is founded on progressive principles ... "

Al-Marayati is the man Muslims turn to for guidance in political and civic activism. As the executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, an organization dedicated to changing public opinion and policy, Al-Marayati has encouraged Muslims to get involved in anti-terrorism efforts like the National Grassroots Campaign to Fight Terrorism, which guides imams and mosque leaders to cooperate with law enforcement in exposing individuals with extremist ideas within the Muslim community.

"Non-Muslims should know that Islam is based on three things: The belief in One God, service to humanity, and the teachings of mercy, compassion, and justice. Islam has no room for terrorism, and Islam obligates us to counter terrorism. ... "

Khan, the founder of the American Society for Muslim Advancement, is a driving force behind youth and women's movements in American Islam. She organized the Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow (which advises youth to reconcile varying ideologies within Islam) and the Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equity (WISE), a 2006 project that gathered 100 of the world's most influential Muslim women last year to develop a Shura (Muslim law) council to advance gender equality.

"Islam shares the ethical foundations of Christianity and Judaism: To love God and our fellow human being, commit to social justice, diversity, and pluralism, and struggle for moral uprightness. ... "

This West-Coast imam and lecturer at the Zaytuna Institute in California is one of the country's most influential Muslim leaders and scholars. Shakir came of age during America's civil rights struggles and has spearheaded community anti-drug efforts as well as race-relations and anti-poverty initiatives. A popular college lecturer, Shakir commands attention with his Islamic knowledge and experience as a convert in this country. He is the author of "Scattered Pictures: Reflections of American Muslims."

"The Qur'an urges us to protect the sanctity of human life. Killing innocent humans, the essence of terrorism, is equated with murdering all of humanity. This is powerful incentive to fight against terrorism..."

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