There is so much division in society today, and the religion of Islam is often misunderstood.

A while ago, I had the gift of meeting an amazing girl that happened to be Muslim. At the time, I really knew nothing about the religion, but she showed me the kind of genuine warmth that you don’t forget. Her actions always speak louder than her words. She shows people her religion not only by using words but by living a peaceful, kind and humble life. It kills me that the media has associated such an ugly word like "terrorism" with this religion – one that is not at all harmful.

Being a Muslim and being a terrorist are worlds apart.

Did you know that the meaning of the word "Islam" is peace? The five pillars of Islam are similar to the 10 Commandments in Christianity. They are the Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Sawm and Hajj.

The Shahada is a declaration of faith that states there is only one God. Salat is a prayer that is repeated five times a day. The term Zakat describes giving to charity. Sawm is fasting that is done during the month of Ramadan. Muslims fast to understand what it would be like in someone else’s shoes, to be less fortunate. Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca if one is ever financially able.

God is perceived in the Islam religion as an all-knowing, merciful God. Overall, what I’ve learned is that the religion of Islam is one of peace. It’s about being the most humble and kind person you can be.

We each get to choose what we want to think about things we hear on the news. You can either think about the horrible things you’ve heard, or you can choose to see that there is still good in this world. There are still people who are kind and generous, and how we label them won't change that. Good and bad exist everywhere, regardless of what race or religion we are talking about. I understand that there have been bad things done by people who call themselves Muslims, but they are just that – bad people, not true Muslims. By writing this article, my goal is to allow people to see the religion in the light I have seen it. Reach out and talk to one another. We learn so much as humans when we collaborate.

The stereotypes are getting old, whether it's religion or race or pit bulls. Humans and animals can not be grouped together because we are all different. It seems so simple, yet the stereotypes never seem to never end. We should love one another because, despite what makes us unique, we are all still human.