More importantly, it’s an assurance for the Muslim-American kids constantly bombarded by anti-Islamic rhetoric that they belong…
Advertisement
“The first thing I want to say is two words that Muslim Americans don’t hear often enough”, Obama stated.
“I know national security will come up in the speech just because of the climate of today”, she said ahead of Obama’s remarks.
Ted Cruz, who edged out Trump in the recent Iowa caucuses, frequently warns audiences about the dangers of “radical Islamic terrorism” and criticizes Obama for not using the phrase in foreign policy discussions.
“We have to respect the fact that we have freedom of religion”, he said.
“I would urge all of you not to see this as a burden but as a great opportunity and a great privilege to show who you are”, he said.
Earnest highlighted that Obama has talked a lot about how important it is for the government to have an effective partnership with leaders in the Muslim community.
He also lashed back against anti-Muslim discourse by some political figures. He also acknowledged the “hugely distorted” negative view Muslim Americans have had to endure with the rise of terrorism-related violence by Islamist extremists. They say communication at the community level fosters change in how they’re perceived.
“We have to understand: An attack on one faith is an attack on all our faiths”, added Obama, who had visited several mosques overseas in the past but waited until his final year in office to make such a visit at home as President.
During the visit, the President took the opportunity to roundly condemn “inexcusable political rhetoric against Muslim Americans that has no place in our country”.
“We can’t be bystanders to bigotry”, Obama said.
“Muslim Americans are some of the most resilient and patriotic Americans you’ll ever meet”, he said.
President Barack Obama meets with members of Muslim-American community at the Islamic Society of Baltimore, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, in Baltimore, Md.
Attendees at the Baltimore mosque are predominantly of Turkish heritage, although immigrants of other nationalities also participate, said Akbar Ahmed, an Islamic studies specialist at American University who has researched mosques around the U.S. “Perhaps this will start a trend”, said Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “We must not give them legitimacy”, Obama said.
Advertisement
Rumors about Obama being a crypto-Muslim – he identifies as Christian – have persisted since his first presidential run in 2008, McCaw noted.
