President Trump’s speech at the Arab Islamic American Summit made waves this week, and Muslims in the Hub City have mixed reactions.
Imam Samer Altabaa says he is proud to live in America, where he has freedom to practice his religion freely.
“Here any Muslim can practice his or her faith in the way that they like, or even if they choose not to practice, that will be fine,” Altabaa said, “This is the greatness and beauty of America.”
In his speech, President Trump said until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, the world must work together to isolate Iran.
“We are the ones who suffer a lot. And we feel more bad when somebody says ok those are the same, Muslims and Isis are the same. No, we are not the same,” Altabaa said.
“Muslim nations must be willing to take on the burden that we are going to defeat terrorists,” President Trump said, “And send this wicked ideology into oblivion.”
Altabaa said he’s glad to hear the President using more unifying speech, but doesn’t believe it’s the job of Muslim nations alone to take on the burden of defeating radical terrorism.
“As a Muslim community, if we know any person who is going to or will cause or might cause any danger, any threat to American communities,” Altabaa said, “We are going to stop him and he will have no place here in America.”
