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SILVER SPRING, Md. - Devout Muslims say theirs is a faith of peace and they are condemning the deadly shootings at Fort Hood in Texas.
Worshippers attending Friday’s early morning prayer service at a Silver Spring mosque where Nadil Hasan worshipped for more than a decade say they are in disbelief over the recent shootings.
“He couldn't do it. If he had done it he must have been out of his mind. Outrageous he could do anything like that. I couldn't believe it," said one Muslim American worshipper.
“He was a military guy. Sometimes he used to come in with his uniform on so I was shocked and thought what was wrong with him?” said Imam Mohammed Avdellahi with the Muslim Community Center.
Nadal Hasan, a man many of these worshippers prayed with over the past 10 years, is the suspected shooter who killed 13 people on an Army base in Fort Hood, Texas.
“Those people are like a family. They protect us, protect our county, protect our kids. It's very upsetting to me,” said Nadeem Mahmood, a Muslim American citizen.
Muslim worshippers said Hasan's actions are troubling and many believe are not reflective of his Muslim faith.
“The Quran clearly says that if you killed one person that you've killed all of humanity. Knowing that someone couldn't do that,” said a Muslim worshipper.
Those who knew him, say the Arlington-born Hasan was quiet, reflective and humble. They say he didn't discuss politics or speak of any extremist views and that he was clearly devoted to his faith.
The Center's Imam, Faizul Khan, knew Hasan for more than 10 years. He condemns the shooting and says he never believed Hasan could ever be capable of anything like this.
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