Pres. Obama visits mosque near Baltimore

United States President Barack Obama spoke out against anti-Muslim prejudice at the Islamic Society of Baltimore, which was originally founded by members of the Hopkins community, on Wednesday. It was his first visit to a mosque in America.

“The first thing I want to say is two words Muslim Americans don’t hear often enough and that is ‘Thank you,’” Obama said, garnering applause. “Thank you for serving your community. Thank you for lifting up your neighbors and for helping keep us strong and united as one American family.”

Obama contrasted his sentiments with others that he said are more commonly expressed.

“Since 9/11 but, more recently, since the attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, we’ve seen too often people conflating the horrific attacks of terrorism with the beliefs of an entire faith,” Obama said.

He noted that such attitudes have affected the Islamic Society of Baltimore directly.

“Here, at this mosque, twice last year threats were made against your children,” he said.

Obama also cited comments that have been made by presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ben Carson.

“Recently, we’ve heard inexcusable political rhetoric against Muslim Americans that has no place in our country,” Obama said.

Obama explained that he has heard grievances from Muslims across the country.

“I’ve had people write to me and say, ‘I feel like I’m a second-class citizen,” Obama said. “I’ve had mothers write and say, ‘My heart cries every night, thinking about how our daughter might be treated at school.’”

Obama explained the effects that anti-Muslim sentiment have on the entire nation.

“We’re one American family,” Obama said. “And when any part of our family starts to feel separate or second-class or targeted, it tears at the very fabric of our nation.”

Obama said he’s received letters from Muslim children across the country expressing fear and confusion about their status in American society. Obama affirmed that all Muslims have a place in the U.S.

“If you’re ever wondering if you fit in here, let me say it as clearly as I can as President of the United States. You fit in here. You’re right where you belong,” Obama said. “You’re not Muslim or American. You’re Muslim and American.”

The Islamic Society of Baltimore mosque is one of the largest in the Mid-Atlantic region, according to The Baltimore Sun. The society was originally founded at Hopkins.

“The Islamic Society of Baltimore was established in 1969 by a handful of families who held weekly meetings and Friday prayers at Johns Hopkins University. As the community continued to grow, the need for a larger facility also grew,” a statement from the Society’s website reads.

College Republicans President Nitin Nainani expressed his thoughts on Obama’s speech.

“There’s a lot things I disagree with President Obama on. This is absolutely not one of them,” Nainani said. “I think this is exactly what a president should do. Muslim Americans contribute to the fabric of America is so many ways... There’s no reason why they should feel unwelcome. So I applaud him.”

Former Vice President of the Muslim Student Association Muhammad Hudhud agreed.

“I think he did a pretty good job of making the Muslim American community feel welcome, reminding them that it’s not the GOP circus,” Hudhud said. “A lot of people point to the fact that Muslims are a small part the American population, but they’re kind of the target board when it comes to politics.”

Hudhud said that Obama could have visited an American mosque earlier in his term. However, he believes Obama’s timing was opportune nonetheless.

“It’s an important that he did come at a time where, if you look at the anti-Muslim sentiments and the hate crimes against Muslims, [they] are five times higher than they before 9/11,” Hudhud said.

Nainani commented on Muslim Americans’ strained relationship with the Republican Party. He explained that, prior to Sept. 11, many Muslims were loyal Republicans. Former U.S. President George W. Bush did extensive outreach in Muslim communities on the campaign trail ahead of the 2000 election, according to Nainani.

“Bush won 72 percent of the Muslim vote,” Nainani said.

Nainani said that Bush visited a mosque after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

“[He wanted] to express solidarity, to say that terrorists have nothing to do with Islam, which I agree with,” Nainani said.

The Republican Party, however, never achieved its previous popularity among Muslim Americans.

“Ever since 2000, Republicans have barely won any of the Muslim vote. They’ve been in the singe digits. That’s a massive turnaround and I think a lot of that has to do with some of the rhetoric and intolerance that has come from the party,” Nainani said. “I, in no one way, condone it, and I think that’s a problem Republicans need to deal with.”

Nainani also discussed his experiences with anti-Muslim sentiments at Hopkins, specifically as a member of the JHU Model United Nations Conference (JHUMUNC).

“For crisis committees, especially committees dealing with terrorism, we’ve had people running around in Middle Eastern clothing or hijabs, for example, who are supposed to be terrorists,” Nainani said. “I think that feeds into the already negative stereotypes and false stereotypes that people have about Muslim Americans.”

Nainani noted that many Muslim students participate in JHUMUNC.

“How does that make them feel? I know, if I was in that situation, I would feel very uncomfortable,” Nainani said.

He said that JHUMUNC has abolished that practice this year.

Hudhud said he has not personally experienced anti-Muslim prejudice at Hopkins.

“But I’m not on Yik Yak or anything like that so whatever offensive stuff comes out of that I don’t see,” he said.

Nainani also said that Islamophobia is an issue all people need to confront and combat.

“The last months, especially after Paris, you’ve seen an unquestionable spike in hate crimes and ethnist bigotry directed at Muslims and I think it’s a problem that we all need to address,” Nainani said. “I honestly applaud President Obama for, despite the criticism he has received, staying the course on this. He has this right.”