by Jacqueline Stoughton 
Similar to the rest of the world, I was heartbroken to hear the news of the terrorists attacks in Paris. The news of these attacks hit hard for me, as it did for many others around the world, to see a city that means so much to me be subject to such brutal and senseless acts of violence.
I had visited Paris during the summer of 2014 for a study abroad class where myself and fellow journalism students covered the 70th D-Day anniversary. This was an experience that changed who I am as a person, and as a journalist It gave me memories of an incredibly welcoming city that I will always carry with me.
When it was confirmed ISIS claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks, everyone was quick to jump on the bandwagon of hating all Muslims again. Claiming Muslims are to blame for these attacks and all acts of terrorism throughout the world.
Referring to members of these terrorists groups in any religious sense such as Islamic, Islamist or Jihadist is inaccurate. These people aren’t true Muslims, but rather hide behind the religion to add justification to their actions — in turn giving the religion as a whole a bad reputation.
“Al Qaeda and ISIL and groups like it are desperate for legitimacy. They try to portray themselves as religious leaders, holy warriors in defense of Islam,” said President Obama during a White House summit last week about “Countering Violent Extremism.” “We must never accept the premise that they put forward, because it is a lie. [They] are not religious leaders — they’re terrorists.”
These groups claim their goal is the establishment of an Islamic state, but their tactics in doing so violate the Sharia law and the reputation of all Muslims.
The language we use when talking about these groups is so important — people always tend to misinterpret, that’s where heated religious debates erupt. “The reality is that the Islamic State is Islamic — the religion preached by its most ardent followers derives from coherent and even learned interpretations of Islam,” said Graeme Wood in an essay he published in The Atlantic.
For those who don’t know, one of the main goal of the Islamic religion is to establish an Islamic state. Islam is one of the only major religions where politics and religion go hand in hand. Not only does their scripture lay out all the laws of their religion but includes political laws as well . It provides them with everything they need to establish a political state that is still closely related to the ideals and beliefs of the Islamic religion.
However, an Islamic state does not call for terrorism and any practicing Muslim will tell you this.The people committing these crimes against humanity are extremists. They go into every battle ready and willing to die in the name of Islam, however it is only the extremist version of this religion that calls for such violence. The true teachings of Islam do not tolerate such violent acts against other humans and their beliefs.
It’s important for us to always differentiate between the intentions of Muslim followers and Muslim extremists, who use false exaggerations of this religion to justify their actions.
As more developments come to light, Paris will remain in my thoughts. I left a part of myself in Paris, as Paris will always remain to be a part of me.