Hamilton Muslims speak out against Ottawa shooting

Hamilton Muslims gathered for Friday prayer at the mosque on the Mountain said a prayer for Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, with the imam saying his community is hurt by the tragedy.

Imam Hosam Helal spoke carefully during a special sermon based on the "sad, shocking" news of Cirillos death at the hands of a gunman, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, who claimed to be a Muslim.

• Hamilton mourns fallen soldier Nathan Cirillo

• Ottawa gunman was asked to leave B.C. mosque

The imams address also came after an Alberta mosque was defaced with graffiti saying "go home" and the imam himself said he has fielded several calls from several Muslims in the city expressing concerns for their safety.

We cannot wait until people do dumb things to come out and say 'this is not Islam'- Hamilton ImamHosamHelal

"Violence is wrong. Whether it's against Muslims or non-Muslims," the imam told the congregation.

But Helal also said the Muslim community shouldnt race to apologize for the gunmans actions.

"We cannot wait until people do dumb things to come out and say 'this is not Islam'," he said, stressing the need for the community to be proactive in explaining what the faith is all about.

"Once in a while there's going to be a bad apple. Why does (his Muslim faith) have to be highlighted and made to be a key aspect?" Helal said, pointing out the shooter also struggled with drug addiction, possible mental health issues and poverty.

Zehaf-Bibeau, CBC News reported Friday, was actually kicked out of a B.C. mosque after he objected to its policy of allowing non-Muslims in. Leaders from the B.C. mosque said Zehaf-Bibeau's actions in Ottawa show "utter disregard for human life and the laws of the world, as well as its religions."

On Thursday, members of Hamilton's Muslim community laid a wreath and categorically condemned the attack during an afternoon visit to the shrine devoted to Cirillo outside the James Street North armoury.

"It misrepresents Islam and blemishes the name of Islam," said Dr. Ali Taher Ghouse, President of the Muslim Council of Greater Hamilton, as he was surrounded by reporters as well as curious members of the public.

On Friday, Ghouse spoke briefly, again mourning the loss of Cirillo and issuing a sharp rebuke of Zehaf-Bibeau: "You are not part of Islam."

Imam urges Muslims to visit Cirillo family

Mayor Bob Bratina was also at the mosque on Friday, where he called the shooting an "act of lunacy."

Bratina said he appreciated the imams message and said it was clear the Muslim community was united with the rest of the city in its grief.

"We're all suffering over this," Bratina said.

In the imams final comments, he urged Hamiltons Muslims to be proactive in speaking publicly about their faith and values, and even to visit Cirillos family to express their condolences first hand.

"Don't let these incidents let you walk in the street and feel like a bad person," Helal said.