News India Times
February 12, 2016
8
Cover Story
– that’s all you need to know
ByMichelle Boorstein
resident Barack
Obama delivered Feb.
3 the comforting ser-
mon to U.S. Muslims
that their community
leaders have been requesting for
years, framing Islam as deeply
American and its critics as vio-
lating the nation’s cherished
value of religious freedom.
Obama’s comments came in his
first visit as president to a U.S.
mosque.
The historic 45-minute
speech at a large, suburban
Baltimore mosque was attended
by some of the country’s most
prominent Muslims. In what
appeared to be a counter to the
rise in Islamophobia, Obama
celebrated the long history of
Muslim achievement in
American life from sports to
architecture and described
Muslims as Cub Scouts, soldiers
and parents, pointing out the
mother of the pre-med college
student who introduced him at
the podium.
“There are voices who are
constantly claiming you have to
choose between your identities.
. .. Do not believe them. . .. You
fit in here. Right here. You’re
right where you belong. You’re
part of America, too,” Obama
said, his volume rising as he said
he was speaking in particular at
that moment to young Muslim
Americans. “You’re not Muslim
or American, you’re Muslim and
American. And don’t grow cyni-
cal.”
While Obama has many
times, including in the last few
months, spoken out against
anti-Muslim rhetoric, the Feb. 3
visit was the longest and most
direct such effort – an intimate
conversation between a faith
community and a president
who has at times seemed to
put himself at arm’s length. The
atmosphere was one of a pep
talk and was interrupted many
times by fervent applause.
The speech was one of sev-
eral almost back-to-back, high-
profile Obama addresses to
U.S. faith communities, talks
he seems to be using to focus
on religious tolerance during
an election season where faith
often comes up in fiery con-
texts.
One week ago he spoke at
the Israeli Embassy, saying the
impulse to stigmatize people of
other faiths is “deep within us.”
On Feb. 4 he was to address one
of the most high-profile evangel-
ical events, the National Prayer
Breakfast.
Obama’s comments come at a
time when the country is furi-
ously debating what constitutes
religious freedom and who has
the right to proclaim it: Is it for
the Muslim refugee from Syria?
The conservative Christian
baker or photographer who can’t
in good conscience participate
in gay weddings? The Orthodox
Jewish private schools seeking
funding? His comments Fe. 4
will likely be closely watched.
Continued on page 9
P
At Baltimore Mosque, Obama Encourages U.S. Muslims
President Barack
Obama waves
farewell to students
after his remarks
at the Islamic
Society of
Baltimore mosque
in Catonsville,
Maryland Feb. 3.
Obama delivers remarks at the
Islamic Society of Baltimore mosque
in Catonsville, Maryland Feb. 3.
Below, copies of the Koran sit on
chairs, including those reserved for
White House staff members, in a
room prepared for remarks by
Obama at the Islamic Society of
Baltimore mosque in Catonsville,
Maryland Feb. 3.
‘You Fit In Here’
