President Barack Obama visits US mosque for the first time
President Barack Obama visited a US mosque for the first time, Wednesday, lauding the contribution Muslims have made to the history of American society.
Obama spoke warmly about Islam and detailed the beginning of the religion among African slaves brought to America.
The president stated that Islam has always been part of America and pointed out that Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Virginia statute for religious freedom that the faith of Muslims or Mohammedan should be protected by the United States of America.
His historic visit to the Mosque also served as a gesture to put to rest any fears of portrayals of Muslims as terrorists. He then reassured Muslim American youth about their place in the country, as reported by Breitbart.
Obama claimed that attacks on Islam were an attack on all religions in the world. He decried the 'inexcusable political rhetoric" against Muslims from Republican presidential candidates, particularly Donald Trump, who has proposed banning all Muslims from entering the country until tighter anti-terrorist programs are put into place.
"When any religious group is targeted, we all have a responsibility to speak up," he said.
During his visit, he asked a row of Muslim American military service members to stand, including Ibtihaj Muhammad, a member of the US fencing team. According to CNN, Ibtihaj Muhammad will be the first American Olympian to compete in a headscarf or hijab in this year's Rio Olympics.
The president also suggested that American TV shows should also have some Muslim characters that are not related to national security. The president also characterized the Islamic State as perverted versions of Islam portrayed by them.
He finally encouraged Muslims to show who they really are, and embrace a worldview that requires them to choose between faith and patriotism.