According to the White House, the aim of Obama’s visit to the Islamic Society of Baltimore mosque is to celebrate the contributions Muslim Americans make to our nation and reaffirm the importance of religious freedom to our way of life.
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“We’ve heard inexcusable political rhetoric against Muslim-Americans that has no place anywhere in our country”, said Obama in an address at the Islamic Society of Baltimore, Maryland.
Trump recently called for a ban on all Muslims entering the United States.
“As we go forward, I want every Muslim American to remember that…Your fellow Americans stand with you”, Obama said and assured the young Muslim Americans, that, “you are not Muslim or American”. He says Muslims help keep America a strong, united country and noted that an attack on the Muslim faith in America is an “attack on all faiths”.
He decried hate directed at the Muslim American community following the terrorist attack in San Bernardino, Calif. last year, and truly bubbling since 9/11.
To counter perverted versions of their religion portrayed by extremist groups such as Islamic State, Obama urged regular Muslims to “let your light shine”, a Christian expression.
The American president had previously visited mosques overseas, but had not done so at home during his seven years in office, highlighting the political importance of this visit.
Obama, who has visited mosques outside the United States on trips overseas, will first meet privately with a small group of Muslim community leaders before delivering remarks at the mosque at 12:05 p.m. ET (1705 GMT).
Rubio, who often stresses religious liberty and his own faith on the campaign trail, said Obama’s words at a Baltimore mosque were meant to divide, rather than unite, the American people.
Later, he told a crowd of cheering children, who had packed the mosque’s gymnasium to watch his speech on large screens, that one day they too could become president.
He lauded Muslim-Americans who were sports heroes, entrepreneurs and the architect behind the skyscrapers of Chicago.
“Muslims must speak up when Christians and Jews around the world are targeted, often by Muslims”, Obama said. “No, it’s true. Look it up”.
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Dr. Elfass says he would have wished the president would have made this visit to a mosque earlier.
