Contributing

But in fact, Erdogan argued, “just like all the other communities here in the United States, Muslim communities are contributing to the strengthening of the United States.”

As well as his clampdown on media at home, Erdogan and Ankara’s relations with Washington have been undercut by Turkish strikes on America’s Kurdish allies in the fight against the Islamic State group.

Obama — who turned down Erdogan’s invitation to join him in cutting the ribbon Saturday — admitted Friday that he was “troubled” by the path that his Turkish counterpart was taking his country down.

That did not appear to concern many at the mosque ceremony.

Ahsen Dasti, 39, bearded and with a head shaved, said he liked what the Turkish president had said about tolerance.

“There is a lot of rhetoric (among White House hopefuls) that constitute appeals to hate towards Muslims,” Dasti said.

“This center can definitely build bridges between the different cultures and show what Islam stands for.”

The sprawling Islamic center is the perfect place for people in the American east, gushed Adnan Muhtasib, 76, a Jordanian who delighted at the splendid architectural detail of this “piece of Istanbul,” with its gold-encrusted calligraphy.

“This is a very good idea, especially for the Muslim youth,” said Ibrahim Chakhalidze, 23.

“The architecture is beautiful. I wish I had the same at home in Utah,” he added, remarking on the new facility’s features from basketball courts to Turkish baths.

“When we see this complex, it makes us proud” to be Muslims, he said with a smile.

Islamophobia is on the rise in the United States and US presidential candidates have targeted Muslims during the election campaign, Erdogan said on Saturday.

Speaking at the opening of a Turkish-sponsored mosque and religious complex outside Washington, Erdogan also said recent terrorist attacks in Brussels and Paris paled in comparison to what Turkey had endured.