Blame conservatives, blames “Islamophobia,” blame racism, blame Christianity, blame anything other than the root source of terrorism, Islam.

WASHINGTON — American Muslim leaders said they stand against terrorism committed in the name of Islam, trying to distance themselves from the suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings who were identified as Muslims with ties to Chechnya.

American Muslim leaders have gone to great lengths to stress that their religion does not condone violence and that terrorist acts committed in the name of Islam contradict the faith. Muslim groups appealed to Americans not to rush to judgment and not to lash out at innocent people.

“Every faith has within it heretical elements, and unfortunately some young people will listen to those elements,” said CAIR spokesman Corey Saylor. “What you’re looking at now is a force that is pushing back against that loudly and clearly.”

The Muslim leaders from CAIR, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, the Islamic Society of North America and other groups expressed frustration that they are once again being forced to defend their faith against the actions of extremists.

“As a Muslim American community, we should not be held accountable for the acts of any individual,” said Imam Mohamed Magid, president of the Islamic Society of North America.