Dear Members of Congress, media, and fellow Americans,

I understand that people who claim to follow Islam have wreaked havoc all over the world. And it is also true that we are all perplexed to find the right words to distinguish between the peaceful Islam and the twisted Islam followed by terrorists and their sympathizers.

Why this is important for me, and for millions of American Muslims, is because unfortunately while we neither commit nor condone violence, our fellow Americans view us as different. This unleashes unnecessary prejudice against us. For example, I am a 17-year-old American Muslim who loves his country. My parents are law abiding and hard working citizens. My grandparents are enjoying their retirement in the US. All of us hate terrorists and feel immense sympathy for the victims of terror. So why are we being punished? Why should I be treated differently than anyone else? Why should my younger sister be treated differently? Why should we feel threatened living in the greatest country in the world? 

So what can you do to help? Can you please start using the term "TAKFIRIS" for the terrorists and their sympathizers? Unlike regular Muslims, TAKFIRIS is a rejectionist ideology that means those who consider all others as KAFIRS (unbelievers), are intolerant of all others (including all other Muslims), and want to harm them. This word will provide an ideological classification that will shift the orientation from religion to ideological roots. This term is widely used by media in other countries to describe the terrorists.

When you use the term Islam, even the term Islamist, it still includes reference to Islam and it builds unnecessary aggression and anger towards American Muslims who are compassionate, country loving, and kind people. In fact, I was proud to discover online a person who shared my last name, 1st Lt. Mohsin Naqvi, a Muslim American who served in the US Army and gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country. We represent people like Mohsin Naqvi and not terrorists. Our religion's name should not be used. Please use the word "TAKFIRIS" and help reduce hatred against our community.