Martin O’Malley becomes first 2016 US presidential candidate to stand with Muslims

Democratic presidential candidate says that Donald Trump does not represent the future of the United States


Web Desk December 13, 2015
PHOTO: AP/Patrick Semansky

Former Governor of Maryland Martin O’Malley has become the first 2016 presidential candidate to stand in solidarity with Muslims.

Amid increasing anti-Muslim rhetoric and firm stances against the religion by Republican White House hopefuls, O'Malley visited a mosque and a community center in Sterling, Virginia on Friday.

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“I wanted to be here to be present with you, in solidarity in these challenging times,” O’Malley told the congregation after Friday prayers. O’Malley’s campaign says he’s the first candidate to make such a visit since the start of the campaign season last spring. The communications director at the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Ibrahim Hooper, said he believes O’Malley is the only candidate to have visited a mosque during this campaign.

The Democrat’s visit comes days after Donald Trump proposed a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States which has been largely censured by politicians as inhumane and impractical. Though some of his rival Republicans criticised Trump’s position, none have discounted him as a potential nominee in their party. Further, while the leading Democratic candidates, former secretary of State Hillary Clinton and senator Bernie Sanders, condemned Trump’s proposal, neither has held an event with the Muslim community since violence in San Bernadino.

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Speaking at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society, the Democratic presidential candidate said, “In these times where fear and division is in the air, it is easy for unscrupulous politicians or hate preachers—no nation is immune from the scourge of hate preachers—to turn us upon ourselves.”

“That sort of language that you hear from Donald Trump is not the language of America’s future…my Muslim neighbors make America strong,” he added.

He continued, “I know that there have been many acts of violence. I know there are acts of ignorance that have been encouraged by some in our political discourse, but the larger arc of our history … is the larger arc of love and generosity and respect for one another.”

Regarding the recent shootings in San Bernardino which killed 14 people and Charleston which killed 9 people, O’Malley said: "And so I know, and I know that our young people understand that the tragic murders that took place in San Bernardino does not define Islam any more than that horrible murder that took place in Charleston defines Christianity."

O'Malley concluded, "We shall overcome these challenges."

Earlier, responding to Trump’s proposal to register all Muslims the presidential candidate tweeted, “Mr Trump — when you start your registry of people who oppose your backward, un-American ideas. You can START WITH ME!”



Many responded to the presidential candidates's comments with relief and praise:

https://twitter.com/eddyrogerparker/status/675871417938878468









https://twitter.com/LeGente/status/675387417830952960

COMMENTS (5)

Aleem | 8 years ago | Reply If he turns out to be an Obama, that is just well and good. Despite the poisonous campaign by the Republicans to make him look bad, Obama has delivered beyond expectation. He ended two wars, got the economy back on track, has been much more considerate when it comes to using US military force and has been an ardent supporter of minority rights including those of the American Muslims. If O'Malley or Clinton walk in his shoes, America's future is bright. Trump is a dunce. Just like he declared business bankruptcies three times in his professional career, he will bankrupt America politically, morally and economically.
Aamir - Toronto | 8 years ago | Reply Majority of Americans are good people, just a handful of rednecks have destroyed the good image of US.......trust me, Americans don't deserve a president like Donald Trump !!!
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