Leading members of the Pakistani-American community have strongly condemned the attempted bombing in Times Square by Faisal Shahzad – a U.S. citizen of Pakistani origin. They expressed deep anxiety at the involvement of a Pakistani American in the failed car bombing and termed Shahzad's actions as a setback to the Pakistani community's efforts to improve the image of their country of origin but expressed hope this would not happen. They are determined to continue their mission of facilitating the full integration of the Pakistani community into American society. 

"The United States is our country and the Pakistani-American community knows that loyalty to their country – the United States – is not an option but an obligation, which they will continue to fulfill," said Dr. Suhail Muzaffar, who held several town hall meetings in collaboration with the FBI, the immigration authorities and the Department of Homeland Security after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. As far as Faisal Shahzad's actions are concerned, he said, an entire community could not be judged on the basis of an individual's actions. He said terrorism will be defeated by every American through unity and vigilance.

Dr. Suhail Muzaffar has been pushing for greater involvement of Pakistani-American youth in wholesome community activities and to inculcate in them a greater sense of responsibility as Americans citizens.

Mohammad Razvi, executive director of Council of Peoples Organization, a non-profit organization within the Pakistani community, called the incident an act of an individual. "Faisal Shahzad's actions do not reflect the thinking and mindset of the Pakistani-American community. We need to continue our positive work by keeping Americans informed about our activities."

Two Pakistani Americans – Hasan Chughtai, executive director of People's Community Center USA, and Kashif Akhtar, former officer of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance – received special awards for exceptional community service from Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes a day before Faisal Shahzad's attempt to bomb Times Square. When approached for comment, they told Sada-e-Pakistan that they did not have the words to express their disappointment and indignation. "We felt proud for having been recognized for our community service until yesterday; today, we are searching for words to defend ourselves," said Chughtai. They felt confident that strong American values will be the biggest defenders of innocent law-abiding members of the Pakistani-American community.

Shafiq Siddiqui, another community activist, believed that the Pakistani community experienced a setback in terms of rebuilding its image after Shahzad's despicable actions, "but we should not lose hope. We should continue our efforts for greater social integration." An encouraging aspect of the whole incident was that law enforcement agencies were not painting the entire Pakistani community with the same brush.

Many of the Pakistani Americans approached for reaction expressed satisfaction at the fact that the community's relations with law enforcement agencies had improved over the years and there were few gaps in communication. But no one denied the fact that the community has come under renewed scrutiny.

Community volunteer Kashif, an engineer by profession, also pointed at the sad reality of greater community scrutiny; however, he believed that Americans today were better aware about the values and sentiment of the Pakistani-American community than what was witnessed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Kashif had one piece of advice for the community: to strongly condemn Faisal Shahzad's actions. Afzal Gulbahar, Khawar Beg and Tauqeerul Haq agreed with Kashif and called Faisal's actions un-American and un-Islamic.

New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board member Dr. Mohammad Khalid advised the Pakistani and other immigrant communities to stay vigilant and report to police any suspicious activity in their surroundings. Mian Fayyaz, of the Pakistani American Community Club, advised the community to extend full cooperation to the police in the investigation of the incident, if it is ever requested.

Many Pakistanis on Coney Island Avenue, in Brooklyn – also known as "Little Pakistan" for its large Pakistani American population – said that America is their home and expressed pride in the country since it gave them liberty, respect, a home and opportunity. They also expressed the need for the Imams to educate Pakistani youth against religious extremism, to be better Muslims and proud Americans and thus prevent them from being lured by extremists outside the United States.

Leaders with affiliations to Pakistan's mainstream political parties were also vocal in condemning Shahzad for tarnishing the image of a hardworking, law-abiding community. "Every American of Pakistani descent must live as an active member of U.S. society by holding himself above any biases," said Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement [a mainstream political party in Pakistan].

Dr. Suhail Muzaffar is organizing a press conference with Imams representing several mosques and Islamic centers of New York, to be held at Times Square, to condemn the attempted car bombing and to express solidarity with their compatriots in the defeat of terrorism.