The Jamaica Muslim Center is proud of the positive leadership shown by President Barack Obama and Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Obama vigorously defended Muslim Americans at a Ramadan dinner at the White House and supported the proposed mosque near Ground Zero in lower Manhattan.
“Our nation is strengthened by millions of Muslim Americans,” Obama said in remarks released by the Associated Press. “They excel in every walk of life. Muslim-American communities — including mosques in all 50 states — also serve their neighbors. Muslim Americans protect our communities as police officers and firefighters and first responders. Muslim-American clerics have spoken out against terror and extremism, reaffirming that Islam teaches that one must save human life, not take it. And Muslim Americans serve with honor in our military.”
Obama said, “As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances. This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable.”
Obama has shown true leadership qualities and has demonstrated that he cares for his citizens regardless of what religious background or ethnicity the person belongs to. His inspirational speech has categorically indicated that you cannot blame a religion for heinous and terrorist acts committed by individuals who belong to that religion.
There is more work to be done to protect the civil rights of Muslim Americans. We hope elected officials across the country will join the president and mayor to bravely protect those rights as well. We urge other national, political and religious leaders to speak out in defense of the freedom of religion and equality of all Americans enshrined in our Constitution.
Mahmudul Hoque
President
Jamaica Muslim Center
Jamaica
