Local Muslims Furious Over Attempted Bombing

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Teaneck, N.J. - Muslims in our area are condemning the alleged actions taken by Faisal Shahzad. 

Many Pakistani-Americans call Bergen and Hudson counties home. CBS 2 HD got reaction from the community that is now afraid of anti-Islamic sentiments. 

The Darul Islah mosque in Teaneck is where many Pakistani-Americans come to pray. On Tuesday, the knowledge that the Times Square would-be bomber is a naturalized U.S. citizen from their homeland was devastating. 

"Somebody from my country...my country of birth would do such a terrible thing to try to hurt people...kill people," Waheed Khalid said. "Thank God it didn't go off because God knows how many innocent human beings would have suffered." 

Khalid is the president of the mosque that is also a center for 300 Pakistani-American families. His fear is a backlash against his community because of Shahzad's nationality. Khalid and all Muslims here condemn any act of terrorism. 

"To those radical elements that use religion to justify what they're doing, they're nothing but criminals," Khalid said. 

In fact, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Tuesday warned bias against Pakistanis or Muslims will not be tolerated. 

"All of us live in the city and among any group there's always a few bad apples," Bloomberg said. 

Many Pakistani-Americans like the owner of one take-out restaurant said they came here for a better life. They work hard and consider themselves Americans first. 

"This is my country," Shaista Zareen said. "We are so proud to be in this country." 

And Khalid reminded us it's the turmoil in Pakistan that has forced so many to come to the U.S. He said he hasn't been back home in five years because of the violence, and is only able to see pictures of the Pakistan he loves on the Internet. 

Leaders at the mosque said they work with law enforcement regularly and urge anyone with more information to come forward.

CBS 2

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