AROUND THE REGION OBAMA from Page 1 vent refugees from certain countries from obtaining tourist and immigration visas, the president called on Americans to refrain from taking actions based on fear. “Even in this political season, even as we properly debate what steps I and future presidents must take to keep our country safe, let’s make sure we never forget what makes us exceptional,” Obama said. “Let’s not forget that freedom is more powerful than fear.” A recent CNN poll suggests that only 38 percent of Americans approve of how the president is handling terrorism; two-thirds doubt that he has an adequate plan to deal with the challenge of continued terrorism. And while his address did not unveil any new initiatives, he did share four vital points. “We have been in the fight against terrorism since 9/11 but over the last few years the threat has evolved into a new phase,” he said. “We’re seeing growing efforts to poison the minds of people like the Boston bombers and those in San Bernardino, California. The threat we face is real – but we will overcome it. Success will depend on our being strong,
smart, resilient and relentless while drawing on every aspect of American power,” Obama said. Obama’s four points in summary: the military will step up efforts to search out terrorists in every part of the world; U.S. military will continue to provide training to forces in Syria; an American-led coalition of 65 countries will increase efforts to prevent ISIS from recruiting and fundraising; and an international community will be called upon to begin the process and develop a timeline to cease a Syrian War that would then allow America’s allies to focus on their common goal of destroying ISIS. He also asked Congress to support common-sense reforms to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, including the barring of those on the government’s no-fly list from acquiring weapons. Finally, the president said he refused to endorse efforts by those who want to stoke hatred against Muslims and often paint them as inherently dangerous. “We cannot turn against one another by letting this war be defined as a war against America and Islam,” he said. “Muslim Americans are our friends and our neighbors, our co-workers, our sports heroes, and yes, they
are our men and women in uniform, who are willing to die in defense of our country.” Congressman Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress and the first nonwhite that Minnesota has ever elected to Congress, said in his book (published in 2014) “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” that he’s proud of his political role in pursuing justice for Muslim Americans whose constitutional rights continue to be imperiled by bigotry and ignorance. Ellison issued a statement following Trump’s recent call for an end to Muslim immigration. “Donald Trump should reread the words of our Constitution about religious freedom and tolerance. Do we really want someone who doesn’t understand our values speaking to the world on our behalf? The fact that [he’s] leading in the Republican Presidential primary polls should raise deep concerns about where Republicans want to lead our country. Demagogues like Trump appeal to the worst in people . . . Americans know that we are braver and better than this,” Ellison said. One longtime Muslim and community activist who lives in Northwest said he and other Muslims have been promoting the true tenets of Islam for years –
something that Obama issued as a challenge to American Muslims during his Sunday night address. “The Constitution protects me and others and we have the right to choose our religion and not face discrimination because of that choice,” said Ibrahim Mumin, 68, a longtime resident and business consultant in the Northwest Shaw community. “As a member of the mosque Masjid Muhammad, we’ve been involved in the community for 80 years – 55 in our present location. Those who claim membership to ISIL never quote the Koran or the Prophet Mohammed. They are criminals and should be treated as such.” “We don’t need to round up Muslims like America did to Japanese-Americans during World War II. We’re better than that,” Mumin added. Meanwhile, a retired chief deputy U.S. Marshall now living in Maryland said terrorist attacks don’t top his list of concerns. “Truthfully, I’m more fearful of being stopped by rogue cops,” said Matthew Fogg, who served as a U.S. Marshall for 32 years. “It may be a few bad apples but we don’t know which ones are the bad apples. And given recent examples in Chicago, New York City and Cleveland, it’s not just
a few police officers who are bad – there are thousands and they’re mistreating Blacks. We need to focus on our own backyards and clean them up first,” Fogg said. WI Editor’s note regarding the use of terms: Islamic State is the English version of what the terror group calls itself. Many governments and media refuse to use this name because it gives the group legitimacy as a state and a representative of Islam. ISIS is the militant group which began as the Iraqi branch of al Qaeda during the U.S. occupation and gained this name after it invaded Syria in 2013. ISIS is short for “Islamic State in Iraq and Syria,” or “Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham,” which is an old Arabic term for the area. ISIL translates to “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.” The Levant is a geographical term that refers to the eastern shore of the Mediterranean – Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel and Jordan. It’s the term the U.S. government uses since the “Levant” is apparently a better translation for al-Sham, the Arabic name for the region.
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