(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/6/15) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations(CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed President Obama’s rejection of Islamophobia during tonight’s prime-time address to the nation on his plans to combat terrorism and to defeat ISIS.
In his address, President Obama repudiated the view that there should be a war on Islam, acknowledged that the vast majority of the victims of terrorism are Muslims and that extremists are a “tiny fraction” of Muslims worldwide, and rejected both discrimination against American Muslims and a religious test for those admitted to this country.
The president concluded his statement against Islamophobia by saying: "Muslim Americans are our friends and neighbors, our coworkers, our sports heroes, and yes, they are our men and women in uniform who are willing to die in defense of our country. We have to remember that.”
Video: President Obama's Oval Office Statement Rejecting Islamophobia
Earlier today, CAIR called on the president to make just such a statement in his address to the nation.
“In light of the recent hate incidents targeting the American Muslim community and the hate-filled rhetoric we hear from a number of public figures, we welcome President Obama’s strong statement calling for national unity and rejecting anti-Muslim ‘suspicion and hate,’” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. “The president was clear in disassociating Islam from the thugs of ISIS, who are the common enemy of all Americans and of all Muslims worldwide.”
CAIR has received more reports about acts of Islamophobic violence, threats, intimidation and discrimination targeting American Muslims (or those perceived to be Muslim) and Islamic institutions since the Paris attacks than during any other limited period of time since the 9/11 terror attacks.
SEE: CAIR Reports Unprecedented Backlash Against American Muslims After Paris Attacks
CAIR Seeks Hate Crime Probe of Post-San Bernardino Threat to Virginia Mosque
CAIR Calls for Protection of Kentucky Mosque Targeted by Terror Threat
CAIR-LA Asks FBI to Probe Bullet-Riddled Copy of the Quran Left at Islamic Store as Hate Crime
Facebook of Florida Mosque Vandal Shows a Man Who Loves Jesus and Guns — But Hates Muslims
CAIR: Plan for Virginia Mosque Becomes Target of Anti-Muslim Backlash
That backlash has been exacerbated by inaccurate and inflammatory Islamophobic statements by public figures like Donald Trump, Ben Carson and others.
SEE: Video: CAIR, NJ Muslims, Interfaith Leaders, Officials Condemn Donald Trump’s False 9/11 Claim
President of Liberty University Urges Students to Get Gun Permits, 'End Those Muslims' (NY Times)
Muslim Fever Goes Viral: After Paris and San Bernardino, Islam-Bashing is Back and Bigger Than Ever
GOP Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum: Islam Not Fully Protected by Constitution
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Nabeelah Naeem, 202-341-4171, nnaeem@cair.com, CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Ojaala Ahmad 714-776-1847, oahmad@cair.com