If I had a dollar for every time I heard that “moderate” Muslims don’t exist, or have no significance on the Muslim community, I wouldn’t be half as stressed about paying for college as I am. Many wonder, what does it mean to be moderate when it comes to a religion that’s often portrayed as one of violence and hatred?

The answer is not only exemplified in me, but in a large majority of the Muslim population in the world, which makes up 23% of all its people. More than a billion moderate Muslims are apparently left unheard and unseen by far-right Republican politicians, and thus, their supporters. But we are here, standing strong and speaking loudly to say that we refuse to be used as a statistic or token “Americanized” Muslims, to be lumped in with extremists that make up less than 1% of us, or to pay the price for others’ wrong judgements. Additionally, although we do condemn violent attacks, we should not be expected to speak out against terrorist acts that have nothing to do with our beliefs and actions, just as Christians don’t and shouldn’t have to speak for the KKK, and more.

“Moderate” Islam is not a special interpretation of the Quran or a separate sect; it is knowing how to differentiate between the word of God in the Quran and in hadith from fabricated and hate-driven lies that are used to gain control over others, whether it’s those of other faiths or women. Countries that use this wrongful, malicious version of Islam to rule their people (I’m looking at you Saudi Arabia, among others) are not representative of true Islam and what people actually believe in.

Although I’m not very religious and devoted myself, I can still recognize and differentiate between the actions of a few and the beliefs of the majority, which is not something many politicians can do. Their Islamophobic opinions they pass on to their supporters are dangerous because they might inspire people to take out their rightful frustration on the wrong people.

I’ll leave you with a verse from the Quran that contradicts all attacks carried out in the name of evil:

“O You who believe! Enter absolutely into peace (Islam). Do not follow in the footsteps of Satan. He is an outright enemy to you.” (Holy Quran: 2, 208).