‘Muslims not going anywhere’
NEW YORK: Faith leaders and civil rights activists have warned president-elect Donald Trump that Muslim Americans who live in the US “are not going anywhere”.
Ten months after Trump proposed to ban the immigration of all Muslims to the US, Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Council of American-Islamic Relations said at a press conference that Muslims would not move, regardless of who won the election.
“We are not going anywhere and we will not be intimidated or marginalised.
“God willing, the American Muslim community will continue to mobilise to challenge bigotry, to uphold justice and protect freedoms and rights of all Americans,” he said.
He was joined by other Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders who asked Trump to ditch his divisive rhetoric and adopt a more positive and inclusive tone to combat the fear currently felt by many women, people of colour and minority groups.
“We will hold the new president to the highest standard in defending the rights of all those residing in our nation as guaranteed by the US constitution,” he said.
“To those who are fearful, know that America is your home and the home for your children. This is your future. You are not going anywhere, and you have the same rights and responsibilities as all other Americans.”
Awad added that young people are “terrified” by Trump’s proposals in the US, the only country they have ever known.
Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, director of outreach at the Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center in Virigina, said he hoped Trump would work by the values he held up at his victory speech, such as Trump’s call for unity and to stand for the civil liberties of all Americans.
“It is our commitment to reach out and engage in social change that will improve the quality of life in America, not just for historical minorities but also for white and middle class Americans who have gotten behind the tenor of the US political process.”
Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, said he urged the president-elect to change path on “wrongheaded” and “unconstitutional” proposals such as deporting Muslims, extreme surveillance and punishing women for getting abortion. – The Independent