The Muslim community in the Inland Empire expressed mixed feelings of fear and grief since the mass shooting in San Bernardino that left 14 people dead and 17 others injured.
Many in the community are worried that Wednesday's shootings could generate backlash against their community similar to what they experienced after 9/11.
The new concerns come shortly after authorities revealed that suspected gunmen Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik supported ISIS.
Leaders and guests spoke at the Chino Valley Islamic Center and said it was unfair to blame terrorist violence on Islam.
"It's key to remember, that Muslims hate terrorists too," said Omar Siddiqui, an FBI liaison.
Dr. Ahmed Soboh of the Chino Valley Islamic Center urged people to rebuke terrorism.
"Any community, any religious group, anything that connects them to that person should stand up and say 'not in our name," he said.
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Amir Abdul-Jalil, who said he knew Farook, expressed doubt about suspicions involving Farook.
"This brother, he couldn't have done that. I will go to my grave believing he could not have done something like that. I know him personally," Abdul-Jalil said.
Local Muslims said they felt a rise in backlash and bullying. Muslims like Salma Mahmoud say education is key.
"Remember that we are your neighbors, we are your students, we are your doctors, we are your congressmen. We're a big community and one person does not represent us all," she said.
Chino Valley Islamic Center was holding a fund drive, hoping to raise $100,000 for the victims of the San Bernardino massacre. The center said it is about halfway near its goal.
