Some images in history depicting extreme pain and suffering especially of children are etched in our memories. Yesterday the picture of a young girl screaming in agony in Afghanistan has been added to these painful memories.

Coordinated suicide attacks in Afghanistan on Ashura; 10th of Muharram, Islamic lunar month left scores of people dead, many severely injured. An outlawed militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi based in Pakistan claimed the responsibility. Ashura literally meaning 10th, is the observance of martyrdom of Hazrat Hussain, grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He was killed with his family members and companions during a battle against the ruling Caliph defending practices of Islam.

Shia and Sunni Muslims follow the same principles of Islam; the differences are not about the basics of beliefs but stems from divergence of opinions about the leadership after the death of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Sunnis are 85% and Shia about 15% of the total Muslim population. Majority of Shia Muslims live in Iran and Iraq, and minority populations are in Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, Pakistan and Lebanon.

Shia and Sunnis live side by side peacefully in many parts of the world; unfortunately during the month of Muharram and especially on Ashura the extremists resort to violence to voice their difference of opinion. Many radical groups also exploit the vulnerability of innocent people as the mourners move in processions. Those days seem far away in past when I, a Sunni Muslim used to go to our Shia friends' homes on Ashura to visit and watch the procession.

What happened in Afghanistan two days ago is not what Islam is about; I am at a loss how these people can profess to be adherent of tenants of Islam and then kill innocent human beings including children. How do they justify these atrocities? How are the lives of these victims expandable for the terrorists' misguided ideologies? Where in Islam suicide bombing is condoned?

In Quran it is clearly stated that "There is no compulsion in religion"; then how can these self-proclaimed defenders of Islam come to this understanding. Anyone who can inflict so much pain on ordinary human beings just because he differs with them is not following Islam. The bodies of toddlers crumpled over is such a heart wrenching scene, I don't know how the perpetrators can look at it. Mothers, who brought their children to the procession, were in a daze of disbelief.

I know for sure Islam has never taught me this, millions of peace loving Muslims in the world do not harbor this hatred and violence. Without any hesitation I can say THIS IS NOT ISLAM