Negative public opinion against the Muslim community after 9/11 withered away with time, but it resurrected, once again, after the failed Times Square car bombing on May Day. This has happened in spite of demands voiced by the Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities in New York to punish Faisal Shahzad, including condemnation by local mosques. Nearly all stated that a real Muslim would never cause harm to others, and that Islam neither rewards an individual who unjustly kills others nor does it support any such killing.

Julfekar Chowdhury, a congregant of Madina Masjid ["masjid" means "mosque" in Arabic] in downtown Manhattan, told the Thikana, "I reproach those involved in plotting the attempted bomb attack in Times Square and I call for harsh punishment against them for their horrific deed. Faisal Shahzad should be the perfect example of a person having to endure such a punishment, so that no one dares to commit such subversive acts in the future." He continued, "After 9/11, danger and difficulty fell over us, but we gradually overcame it. Then, after the attempted bomb attack in Times Square, adverse feelings against Muslim Americans began developing all over again." However, Chowdhury added, "We are grateful to Americans for helping us in so many ways and we have accepted this country as our own and abide by its rules with great honor. All the devotees who attend this mosque, and their family members, reject with contempt such heinous terrorist acts."

"Islam is a religion of righteousness. None of us ever indulge in unjust acts. Islam never condones any form of evil. Moreover, all Muslims stand beside their neighbors of other faiths, especially those in need," stated Nazmul Alam, an attorney.

Ashok Karmakar, also an attorney and human rights advocate, said, "You can't look at all Muslim Americans with suspicion just for the behavior of Faisal Shahzad, a Pakistani American. It would be an act of grave injustice to blame the whole community of any religion for an isolated incident. There may be al-Qaeda or Taliban terrorists in Pakistan but you shouldn't think that everyone in Pakistan supports terrorism or is engaged in a plan to destroy the United States. It would not solve anything."

For Dewan Shamsul Arefin, a professor at Rutgers University in New Jersey, "Faisal Shahzad is Muslim only in name; he was never even seen in a mosque. It would not be right to hold a negative concept of all Muslims based on the actions of a single immoral individual." He added, "The United States is not alone, any country would take similar actions if such a plot occurred against them. Each and every Muslim American expects consequences for terrorists who are involved in the conspiracy to destroy the United States."

"It would undoubtedly be an abhorrent act to assign the blame on all Muslims for the evil efforts of an individual by the name of Faisal," said Badrun Nahar Khan Mita, president of the Jalalabad Association. "We are all Americans and we do everything in accordance with the laws of America. We live here. We are all determined to defend this beautiful country."

"The judicious American politicians should never commit such an error as to go after followers of an entire religion for the hateful actions of one individual. No one should ever have to experience something like that. The core reality is that America is a land of immigrants. Those of us living here belong to various religions. We all live here in accordance with the U.S. Constitution and we practice our religion," said Fakir Elias, a poet. Extremism exists in other religions as well, he pointed out, adding, "We are now overcoming a crucial period. All of us have to adjust to the circumstances of the situation. That means we, along with our children, must assimilate more effectively with mainstream American values."

Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn has a high concentration of Pakistani immigrants. The community, including its businesses, deemed Faisal Shahzad an enemy to the common people and demanded he be punished as a warning to others, especially if he is involved in a terrorist network. Representatives from the Makki Masjid, a mosque in Brooklyn, appealed to the U.S. government that Pakistan not be targeted for the misdeeds of Faisal. Others at the mosque said that terrorists in Pakistan should be caught and punished. Officials of mosques run by Bangladeshis at Church and McDonald Avenues, Jackson Heights, Astoria, Jamaica and Ozone Park, as well as business and cultural leaders of the mentioned areas, all demanded stern punishment against those involved in the attempted car bomb attack in Times Square. They also expressed that there would be no benefit in having renewed suspicions against Muslim Americans as a result of the incident.