SALT LAKE CITY -- There are many reasons that Muslims in Utah are sad and worried about terrorism in France and a mass shooting that could be terrorism in San Bernardino.
Imam Shuaib Din's first reaction was grief.
"There was a mass shooting committed by a mentally deranged person, which has caused sadness and grief to every member of our community, just like our fellow Americans," Din said.
Then, Din said, he and members of his congregation at the Utah Islamic Center worry about their families.
"When they're leaving their kids off at school they'll tell them, as I told my kids this morning, 'Don't get into any argument, don't talk with anyone regarding this, and if anyone wants to talk with you about this, just walk away,'" Din said.
Din said he is aware of conversations online and on cable news.
On FOX 13 News' Facebook page, one person who identified themselves as 'Sean Coombs' posted a picture of a nuclear mushroom cloud with the sentence: "We are ready to play cowboys and Muslims."
Another person identified as 'Devin Souza' replied quickly, "Yeah, cuz genocide is always the answer."
Din said people of any faith might choose to be violent, and it's not a reflection of the faith.
"We are proud to be Muslim, and we are proud to be American," Din said.
