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The President: Well,
good afternoon.
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And, Sabah, thank you for
the wonderful introduction
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and for your example -- your
devotion to your faith and
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your education, and
your service to others.
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You're an inspiration.
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You're going to be
a fantastic doctor.
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And I suspect, Sabah, your
parents are here because
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they wanted to see you so --
where are Sabah's parents?
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There you go.
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(applause)
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Good job, Mom.
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She did great, didn't she?
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She was terrific.
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To everyone here at
the Islamic Society of
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Baltimore, thank you for
welcoming me here today.
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I want to thank Muslim
Americans leaders from
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across this city
and this state,
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and some who traveled even
from out of state to be here.
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I want to recognize
Congressman John Sarbanes,
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who is here.
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(applause)
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As well as two other great
leaders in Congress -- and
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proud Muslim Americans --
Congressman Keith Ellison
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from the great state
of Minnesota --
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(applause)
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-- and Congressman Andre
Carson from the great state
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of Indiana.
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(applause)
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This mosque, like so
many in our country,
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is an all-American story.
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You've been part of this
city for nearly half a century.
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You serve thousands of
families -- some who've
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lived here for decades as
well as immigrants from many
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countries who've worked
to become
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proud American citizens.
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Now, a lot of Americans have
never visited a mosque.
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To the folks watching this
today who haven't -- think
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of your own church, or
synagogue, or temple,
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and a mosque like this
will be very familiar.
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This is where families come
to worship and express their
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love for God and each other.
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There's a school where
teachers open young minds.
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Kids play baseball and
football and basketball --
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boys and girls -- I hear
they're pretty good.
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(laughter)
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Cub Scouts, Girl
Scouts meet,
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recite the Pledge
of Allegiance here.
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With interfaith dialogue,
you build bridges of
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understanding with other
faith communities --
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Christians and Jews.
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There's a health clinic
that serves the needy,
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regardless of their faith.
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And members of this
community are out in the
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broader community, working
for social justice
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and urban development.
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As voters, you come
here to meet candidates.
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As one of your members said,
"just look at the way we
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live...we are
true Americans."
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So the first thing I want to
say is two words that Muslim
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Americans don't hear often
enough
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-- and that is, thank you.
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Thank you for serving
your community.
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Thank you for lifting up the
lives of your neighbors,
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and for helping keep us
strong and united
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as one American family.
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We are grateful for that.
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(applause)
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Now, this brings me to the
other reason I wanted to
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come here today.
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I know that in Muslim
communities across our
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country, this is a time
of concern and, frankly,
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a time of some fear.
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Like all Americans, you're
worried about
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the threat of terrorism.
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But on top of that,
as Muslim Americans,
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you also have another
concern -- and that is your
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entire community so often is
targeted or blamed for the
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violent acts of
the very few.
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The Muslim American
community remains relatively
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small --several million
people in this country.
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And as a result, most
Americans don't necessarily
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know -- or at least don't
know that they know
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-- a Muslim personally.
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And as a result, many only
hear about Muslims and Islam
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from the news after
an act of terrorism,
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or in distorted media
portrayals in TV or film,
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all of which gives this
hugely distorted impression.
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And since 9/11,
but more recently,
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since the attacks in
Paris and San Bernardino,
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you've seen too often people
conflating the horrific acts
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of terrorism with the
beliefs of an entire faith.
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And of course, recently,
we've heard inexcusable
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political rhetoric against
Muslim Americans that has no
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place in our country.
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No surprise, then, that
threats and harassment of
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Muslim Americans
have surged.
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Here at this mosque,
twice last year,
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threats were made
against your children.
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Around the country, women
wearing the hijab -- just
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like Sabah -- have
been targeted.
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We've seen children bullied.
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We've seen mosques
vandalized.
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Sikh Americans and others
who are perceived to be
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Muslims have been
targeted, as well.
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I just had a chance to meet
with some extraordinary
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Muslim Americans from across
the country who are doing
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all sorts of work.
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Some of them are doctors;
some of them are community
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leaders; religious leaders.
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All of them were doing
extraordinary work not just
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in the Muslim community but
in the American community.
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And they're proud of their
work in business and
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education, and on behalf
of social justice and the
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environment and education.
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I should point out they were
all much younger than me --
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(laughter)
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-- which is happening more
frequently these days.
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And you couldn't
help but be inspired,
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hearing about the
extraordinary work that
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they're doing.
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But you also could not help
but be heartbroken to hear
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their worries and
their anxieties.
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Some of them are parents,
and they talked about how
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their children were asking,
are we going to be forced
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out of the country, or, are
we going to be rounded up?
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Why do people
treat us like that?
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Conversations that you
shouldn't have to have with
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children -- not
in this country.
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Not at this moment.
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And that's an anxiety echoed
in letters I get from Muslim
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Americans around
the country.
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I've had people
write to me and say,
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I feel like I'm a
second-class citizen.
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I've had mothers
write and say,
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"my heart cries
every night, "
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thinking about how her
daughter might be treated
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at school.
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A girl from Ohio, 13 years
old, told me, "I'm scared."
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A girl from Texas signed
her letter "a confused
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14-year-old trying to find
her place in the world."
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These are children
just like mine.
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And the notion that they
would be filled with doubt
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and questioning their places
in this great country of
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ours at a time when they've
got enough to worry about --
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it's hard being a teenager
already
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-- that's not who we are.
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We're one American family.
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And when any part of our
family starts to feel
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separate or second-class
or targeted,
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it tears at the very
fabric of our nation.
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(applause)
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It's a challenge to our
values -- and that means we
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have much work to do.
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We've got to tackle
this head on.
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We have to be honest
and clear about it.
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And we have to speak out.
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This is a moment
when, as Americans,
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we have to truly listen to
each other and learn from
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each other.
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And I believe it has
to begin with a common
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understanding of
some basic facts.
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And I express these facts,
although they'd be obvious
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to many of the people
in this place, because,
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unfortunately, it's not
facts that are communicated
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00:09:06,746 --> 00:09:10,316
on a regular basis
through our media.
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So let's start with this
fact: For more than a
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thousand years, people
have been drawn to Islam's
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message of peace.
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And the very word
itself, Islam,
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comes from salam -- peace.
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The standard greeting is
as-salamu alaykum -- peace
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be upon you.
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And like so many faiths,
Islam is rooted in a
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commitment to compassion
and mercy and justice
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and charity.
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Whoever wants to
enter paradise,
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the Prophet Muhammad taught,
"let him treat people the
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way he would love
to be treated."
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(applause)
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For Christians like myself,
I'm assuming
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that sounds familiar.
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(laughter)
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The world's 1.6 billion
Muslims are as diverse as
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humanity itself.
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They are Arabs and Africans.
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They're from Latin America
to Southeast Asia;
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Brazilians, Nigerians,
Bangladeshis, Indonesians.
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They are white and
brown and black.
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There's a large African
American Muslim community.
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That diversity is
represented here today.
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00:10:25,858 --> 00:10:28,998
A 14-year-old boy in Texas
who's Muslim spoke for many
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00:10:28,995 --> 00:10:30,395
when he wrote
to me and said,
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00:10:30,396 --> 00:10:32,396
"We just want to
live in peace."
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Here's another fact: Islam
has always been part
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of America.
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Starting in colonial times,
many of the slaves brought
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here from Africa
were Muslim.
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00:10:47,079 --> 00:10:51,789
And even in their bondage,
some kept their faith alive.
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A few even won their freedom
and became known
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00:10:54,220 --> 00:10:55,220
to many Americans.
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00:10:55,221 --> 00:10:58,261
And when enshrining the
freedom of religion in our
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00:10:58,257 --> 00:11:00,657
Constitution and
our Bill of Rights,
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00:11:00,659 --> 00:11:03,999
our Founders meant what
they said when they said it
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00:11:03,996 --> 00:11:06,366
applied to all religions.
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00:11:06,365 --> 00:11:11,975
Back then, Muslims were
often called Mahometans.
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00:11:11,971 --> 00:11:14,611
And Thomas Jefferson
explained that the Virginia
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00:11:14,607 --> 00:11:19,547
Statute for Religious
Freedom he wrote was
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00:11:19,545 --> 00:11:22,815
designed to protect all
faiths -- and I'm quoting
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00:11:22,815 --> 00:11:25,085
Thomas Jefferson now --
"the Jew and the Gentile,
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00:11:25,084 --> 00:11:28,024
the Christian and
the Mahometan."
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00:11:28,020 --> 00:11:31,760
(applause)
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00:11:37,029 --> 00:11:40,569
Jefferson and John Adams
had their own copies
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00:11:40,566 --> 00:11:42,566
of the Koran.
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00:11:42,568 --> 00:11:45,838
Benjamin Franklin wrote
that "even if the Mufti of
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00:11:45,838 --> 00:11:48,908
Constantinople were to send
a missionary to preach to
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00:11:48,908 --> 00:11:51,748
us, he would find a
pulpit at his service."
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00:11:51,744 --> 00:11:56,214
(applause)
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00:11:58,017 --> 00:12:03,327
So this is not a new thing.
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00:12:03,322 --> 00:12:05,962
Generations of Muslim
Americans helped to build
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00:12:05,958 --> 00:12:06,988
our nation.
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00:12:06,992 --> 00:12:10,092
They were part of the flow
of immigrants who became
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00:12:10,096 --> 00:12:13,196
farmers and merchants.
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00:12:13,199 --> 00:12:17,439
They built America's first
mosque, surprisingly enough,
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00:12:17,436 --> 00:12:18,906
in North Dakota.
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00:12:18,904 --> 00:12:21,044
(laughter)
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00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:24,610
America's oldest surviving
mosque is in Iowa.
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00:12:26,679 --> 00:12:30,779
The first Islamic center in
New York City was built in
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00:12:30,783 --> 00:12:34,423
the 1890s.
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00:12:34,420 --> 00:12:37,990
Muslim Americans worked on
Henry Ford's assembly line,
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00:12:37,990 --> 00:12:40,860
cranking out cars.
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00:12:40,860 --> 00:12:47,270
A Muslim American designed
the skyscrapers of Chicago.
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00:12:47,266 --> 00:12:50,206
In 1957, when dedicating
the Islamic center in
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00:12:50,202 --> 00:12:53,342
Washington, D.C.,
President Eisenhower said,
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00:12:53,339 --> 00:12:56,079
"I should like to assure
you, my Islamic friends,
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00:12:56,075 --> 00:12:58,215
that under the American
Constitution ... and in
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00:12:58,210 --> 00:13:01,180
American hearts...this
place of worship,
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00:13:01,180 --> 00:13:03,850
is just as welcome...as
any other religion."
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00:13:03,849 --> 00:13:07,619
(applause)
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00:13:13,759 --> 00:13:18,669
And perhaps the most
pertinent fact,
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00:13:18,664 --> 00:13:22,604
Muslim Americans enrich our
lives today in every way.
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00:13:22,601 --> 00:13:25,471
They're our neighbors, the
teachers who inspire our
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00:13:25,471 --> 00:13:29,071
children, the doctors who
trust us with our health --
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00:13:29,074 --> 00:13:31,544
future doctors like Sabah.
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00:13:31,544 --> 00:13:34,114
They're scientists
who win Nobel Prizes,
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00:13:34,113 --> 00:13:36,053
young entrepreneurs who are
creating new technologies
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00:13:36,048 --> 00:13:39,618
that we use all the time.
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00:13:39,618 --> 00:13:42,858
They're the sports heroes we
cheer for -- like Muhammad Ali
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00:13:42,855 --> 00:13:48,595
and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,
Hakeem Olajuwon.
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00:13:48,594 --> 00:13:51,464
And by the way, when Team
USA marches into the next
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00:13:51,463 --> 00:13:53,433
Olympics, one of the
Americans waving the red,
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00:13:53,432 --> 00:13:54,572
white and blue --
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00:13:54,567 --> 00:13:55,497
(applause)
253
00:13:55,501 --> 00:13:58,801
-- will a fencing champion,
wearing her hijab,
254
00:13:58,804 --> 00:14:01,804
Ibtihaj Muhammad,
who is here today.
255
00:14:01,807 --> 00:14:02,637
Stand up.
256
00:14:02,641 --> 00:14:09,551
(applause)
257
00:14:13,953 --> 00:14:15,383
I told her to bring
home the gold.
258
00:14:15,387 --> 00:14:19,387
(laughter)
259
00:14:19,391 --> 00:14:20,561
Not to put any
pressure on you.
260
00:14:20,559 --> 00:14:23,429
(laughter)
261
00:14:23,429 --> 00:14:25,499
Muslim Americans
keep us safe.
262
00:14:25,497 --> 00:14:27,537
They're our police
and our firefighters.
263
00:14:27,533 --> 00:14:29,403
They're in
homeland security,
264
00:14:29,401 --> 00:14:34,911
in our intelligence
community.
265
00:14:34,907 --> 00:14:39,377
They serve honorably in our
armed forces -- meaning they
266
00:14:39,378 --> 00:14:43,018
fight and bleed and
die for our freedom.
267
00:14:43,015 --> 00:14:46,015
Some rest in Arlington
National Cemetery.
268
00:14:46,018 --> 00:14:49,958
(applause)
269
00:14:51,924 --> 00:14:54,924
So Muslim Americans are some
of the most resilient and
270
00:14:54,927 --> 00:14:59,427
patriotic Americans
you'll ever meet.
271
00:14:59,431 --> 00:15:01,431
We're honored to have some
of our proud Muslim American
272
00:15:01,433 --> 00:15:02,973
servicemembers here today.
273
00:15:02,968 --> 00:15:05,208
Please stand if you're here,
so we can thank you
274
00:15:05,204 --> 00:15:06,774
for your service.
275
00:15:06,772 --> 00:15:09,572
(applause)
276
00:15:21,754 --> 00:15:25,424
So part of the reason I want
to lay out these facts is
277
00:15:25,424 --> 00:15:29,094
because, in the discussions
that I was having with these
278
00:15:29,094 --> 00:15:35,504
incredibly accomplished
young people,
279
00:15:35,501 --> 00:15:41,271
they were pointing that so
often they felt invisible.
280
00:15:41,273 --> 00:15:47,143
And part of what we have
to do is to lift up the
281
00:15:47,146 --> 00:15:52,016
contributions of the Muslim
American community not when
282
00:15:52,017 --> 00:15:59,557
there's a problem,
but all the time.
283
00:15:59,558 --> 00:16:04,168
Our television shows should
have some Muslim characters
284
00:16:04,163 --> 00:16:07,203
that are unrelated to
national security --
285
00:16:07,199 --> 00:16:09,269
(applause)
286
00:16:09,268 --> 00:16:17,848
-- because -- it's
not that hard to do.
287
00:16:17,843 --> 00:16:19,313
There was a time when there
were no black people
288
00:16:19,311 --> 00:16:21,911
on television.
289
00:16:21,914 --> 00:16:26,684
And you can tell good
stories while still
290
00:16:26,685 --> 00:16:34,055
representing the reality
of our communities.
291
00:16:34,059 --> 00:16:37,999
Now, we do have another fact
that we have to acknowledge.
292
00:16:37,996 --> 00:16:41,736
Even as the overwhelming
majority -- and I repeat,
293
00:16:41,734 --> 00:16:43,934
the overwhelming majority
-- of the world's Muslims
294
00:16:43,936 --> 00:16:48,006
embrace Islam as
a source of peace,
295
00:16:48,006 --> 00:16:54,116
it is undeniable that a
small fraction of Muslims
296
00:16:54,113 --> 00:16:58,183
propagate a perverted
interpretation of Islam.
297
00:16:58,183 --> 00:17:00,583
This is the truth.
298
00:17:00,586 --> 00:17:04,726
Groups like al
Qaeda and ISIL,
299
00:17:04,723 --> 00:17:06,523
they're not the first
extremists in history to
300
00:17:06,525 --> 00:17:08,795
misuse God's name.
301
00:17:08,794 --> 00:17:15,034
We've seen it before,
across faiths.
302
00:17:15,033 --> 00:17:23,343
But right now, there is a
organized extremist element
303
00:17:23,342 --> 00:17:26,782
that draws selectively
from Islamic texts,
304
00:17:26,779 --> 00:17:30,649
twists them in an attempt to
justify their killing and
305
00:17:30,649 --> 00:17:32,819
their terror.
306
00:17:32,818 --> 00:17:35,358
They combine it with false
claims that America and the
307
00:17:35,354 --> 00:17:40,324
West are at war with Islam.
308
00:17:40,325 --> 00:17:42,295
And this warped thinking
that has found adherents
309
00:17:42,294 --> 00:17:44,534
around the world --
including, as we saw,
310
00:17:44,530 --> 00:17:46,770
tragically, in Boston
and Chattanooga
311
00:17:46,765 --> 00:17:50,535
and San Bernardino -- is real.
312
00:17:50,536 --> 00:17:52,836
It's there.
313
00:17:52,838 --> 00:18:00,348
And it creates tensions
and pressure that
314
00:18:00,345 --> 00:18:03,015
disproportionately burden
the overwhelming majority of
315
00:18:03,015 --> 00:18:07,855
law-abiding Muslim citizens.
316
00:18:07,853 --> 00:18:09,453
And the question then is,
how do we move
317
00:18:09,455 --> 00:18:10,485
forward together?
318
00:18:10,489 --> 00:18:12,659
How do we keep our country
strong and united?
319
00:18:12,658 --> 00:18:18,898
How do we defend ourselves
against organizations that
320
00:18:18,897 --> 00:18:23,507
are bent on
killing innocents?
321
00:18:23,502 --> 00:18:26,602
And it can't be the work
of any one faith alone.
322
00:18:26,605 --> 00:18:29,475
It can't be just a burden
on the Muslim community --
323
00:18:29,475 --> 00:18:31,275
although the Muslim
community has to play
324
00:18:31,276 --> 00:18:31,946
a role.
325
00:18:31,944 --> 00:18:33,914
We all have
responsibilities.
326
00:18:33,912 --> 00:18:34,852
So with the time
I have left,
327
00:18:34,847 --> 00:18:37,247
I just want to suggest a few
principles that I believe
328
00:18:37,249 --> 00:18:39,249
can guide us.
329
00:18:39,251 --> 00:18:42,321
First, at a time when others
are trying to divide us
330
00:18:42,321 --> 00:18:47,531
along lines of
religion or sect,
331
00:18:47,526 --> 00:18:51,966
we have to reaffirm that
most fundamental of truths:
332
00:18:51,964 --> 00:18:53,294
We are all God's children.
333
00:18:53,298 --> 00:18:57,708
We're all born equal,
with inherent dignity.
334
00:18:57,703 --> 00:18:59,903
And so often, we focus on
our outward differences and
335
00:18:59,905 --> 00:19:03,905
we forget how much we share.
336
00:19:03,909 --> 00:19:10,849
Christians, Jews, Muslims --
we're all, under our faiths,
337
00:19:10,849 --> 00:19:15,819
descendants of Abraham.
338
00:19:15,821 --> 00:19:17,591
So mere tolerance of
different religions
339
00:19:17,589 --> 00:19:18,319
is not enough.
340
00:19:18,323 --> 00:19:24,463
Our faiths summon us to
embrace our common humanity.
341
00:19:24,463 --> 00:19:26,803
"O mankind," the
Koran teaches,
342
00:19:26,798 --> 00:19:30,598
we have "made you peoples
and tribes that you may know
343
00:19:30,602 --> 00:19:32,302
one another."
344
00:19:32,304 --> 00:19:36,374
(applause)
345
00:19:38,777 --> 00:19:46,187
So all of us have the task
of expressing our religious
346
00:19:46,184 --> 00:19:52,654
faith in a way that seeks to
build bridges rather
347
00:19:52,658 --> 00:19:57,728
than to divide.
348
00:19:57,729 --> 00:19:59,529
Second, as Americans, we
have to stay true to our
349
00:19:59,531 --> 00:20:02,131
core values, and that
includes freedom of religion
350
00:20:02,134 --> 00:20:04,234
for all faiths.
351
00:20:04,236 --> 00:20:07,736
I already mentioned our
Founders, like Jefferson,
352
00:20:07,739 --> 00:20:10,939
knew that religious liberty
is essential not only to
353
00:20:10,943 --> 00:20:15,643
protect religion but because
religion helps strengthen
354
00:20:15,647 --> 00:20:20,687
our nation -- if it is free,
if it is not an extension
355
00:20:20,686 --> 00:20:21,716
of the state.
356
00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:24,090
Part of what's happened in
the Middle East and
357
00:20:24,089 --> 00:20:26,989
North Africa and other places
where we see sectarian
358
00:20:26,992 --> 00:20:33,062
violence is religion being a
tool for another agenda --
359
00:20:33,065 --> 00:20:37,705
for power, for control.
360
00:20:37,703 --> 00:20:40,403
Freedom of religion
helps prevent that,
361
00:20:40,405 --> 00:20:43,505
both ways -- protects
religious faiths,
362
00:20:43,508 --> 00:20:48,448
protects the state from --
or those who want to take
363
00:20:48,447 --> 00:20:52,187
over the state from using
religious animosity as a
364
00:20:52,184 --> 00:20:58,854
tool for their own ends.
365
00:20:58,857 --> 00:21:03,727
That doesn't mean that those
of us with religious faith
366
00:21:03,729 --> 00:21:04,759
should not be involved.
367
00:21:04,763 --> 00:21:09,703
We have to be
active citizenry.
368
00:21:09,701 --> 00:21:12,871
But we have to respect the
fact that we have freedom
369
00:21:12,871 --> 00:21:15,871
of religion.
370
00:21:15,874 --> 00:21:18,144
Remember, many preachers and
pastors fought to abolish
371
00:21:18,143 --> 00:21:20,283
the evil of slavery.
372
00:21:20,278 --> 00:21:22,778
People of faith advocated
to improve conditions for
373
00:21:22,781 --> 00:21:24,951
workers and ban child labor.
374
00:21:24,950 --> 00:21:27,850
Dr. King was joined by
people of many faiths,
375
00:21:27,853 --> 00:21:33,193
challenging us to
live up to our ideals.
376
00:21:33,191 --> 00:21:42,231
And that civil activism,
that civic participation
377
00:21:42,234 --> 00:21:44,574
that's the essence
of our democracy,
378
00:21:44,569 --> 00:21:50,139
it is enhanced by
freedom of religion.
379
00:21:50,142 --> 00:21:51,612
Now, we have to acknowledge
that there have been times
380
00:21:51,610 --> 00:21:57,250
where we have fallen
short of our ideals.
381
00:21:57,249 --> 00:21:59,049
By the way, Thomas
Jefferson's opponents tried
382
00:21:59,051 --> 00:22:01,851
to stir things up by
suggesting he was a Muslim
383
00:22:01,853 --> 00:22:03,393
-- so I was not the first --
384
00:22:03,388 --> 00:22:07,058
(applause)
385
00:22:11,229 --> 00:22:12,729
No, it's true, it's true.
386
00:22:12,731 --> 00:22:13,701
Look it up.
387
00:22:13,699 --> 00:22:14,199
(laughter)
388
00:22:14,199 --> 00:22:15,069
I'm in good company.
389
00:22:15,067 --> 00:22:18,307
(laughter)
390
00:22:18,303 --> 00:22:21,903
But it hasn't just been
attacks of that sort that
391
00:22:21,907 --> 00:22:23,277
have been used.
392
00:22:23,275 --> 00:22:28,885
Mormon communities have been
attacked throughout our history.
393
00:22:28,880 --> 00:22:32,750
Catholics, including, most
prominently, JFK
394
00:22:32,751 --> 00:22:34,821
-- John F. Kennedy -- when he
ran for President,
395
00:22:34,820 --> 00:22:36,350
was accused of
being disloyal.
396
00:22:36,354 --> 00:22:38,594
There was a suggestion that
he would be taking orders
397
00:22:38,590 --> 00:22:41,590
from the Pope as opposed to
upholding
398
00:22:41,593 --> 00:22:45,233
his constitutional duties.
399
00:22:45,230 --> 00:22:48,670
Anti-Semitism in this
country has a sad and long
400
00:22:48,667 --> 00:22:53,607
history, and Jews were
exclude routinely from
401
00:22:53,605 --> 00:22:59,175
colleges and professions
and from public office.
402
00:22:59,177 --> 00:23:04,587
And so if we're serious
about freedom of religion --
403
00:23:04,583 --> 00:23:07,753
and I'm speaking now to my
fellow Christians who remain
404
00:23:07,753 --> 00:23:11,453
the majority in this country
-- we have to understand an
405
00:23:11,456 --> 00:23:14,056
attack on one faith is an
attack on all our faiths.
406
00:23:14,059 --> 00:23:21,199
(applause)
407
00:23:21,199 --> 00:23:23,369
And when any religious
group is targeted,
408
00:23:23,368 --> 00:23:27,268
we all have a
responsibility to speak up.
409
00:23:27,272 --> 00:23:30,742
And we have to reject a
politics that seeks to
410
00:23:30,742 --> 00:23:34,882
manipulate
prejudice or bias,
411
00:23:34,880 --> 00:23:39,950
and targets people
because of religion.
412
00:23:39,951 --> 00:23:42,821
We've got to make sure that
hate crimes are punished,
413
00:23:42,821 --> 00:23:45,721
and that the civil rights of
all Americans are upheld.
414
00:23:45,724 --> 00:23:50,664
(applause)
415
00:23:50,662 --> 00:23:53,462
And just as faith leaders,
including Muslims,
416
00:23:53,465 --> 00:23:55,665
must speak out when
Christians are persecuted
417
00:23:55,667 --> 00:23:56,807
around the world --
418
00:23:56,802 --> 00:23:58,402
(applause)
419
00:23:58,403 --> 00:24:02,403
-- or when anti-Semitism is
on the rise -- because the
420
00:24:02,407 --> 00:24:05,607
fact is, is that there are
Christians who are targeted
421
00:24:05,610 --> 00:24:09,450
now in the Middle East,
despite having been there
422
00:24:09,447 --> 00:24:15,117
for centuries, and there are
Jews who've lived in places
423
00:24:15,120 --> 00:24:20,630
like France for centuries
who now feel obliged to
424
00:24:20,625 --> 00:24:25,435
leave because they feel
themselves under assault
425
00:24:25,430 --> 00:24:32,540
--sometimes by Muslims.
426
00:24:32,537 --> 00:24:36,707
We have to be consistent in
condemning hateful rhetoric
427
00:24:36,708 --> 00:24:39,008
and violence
against everyone.
428
00:24:39,010 --> 00:24:39,850
(applause)
429
00:24:39,845 --> 00:24:40,915
And that includes against
Muslims here
430
00:24:40,912 --> 00:24:42,212
in the United States of America.
431
00:24:42,214 --> 00:24:44,614
(applause)
432
00:24:44,616 --> 00:24:50,386
So none of us can be silent.
433
00:24:50,388 --> 00:24:55,198
We can't be
bystanders to bigotry.
434
00:24:55,193 --> 00:24:57,693
And together, we've got to
show that America truly
435
00:24:57,696 --> 00:25:05,036
protects all faiths.
436
00:25:05,036 --> 00:25:06,836
Which brings me to my next
point: As we protect our
437
00:25:06,838 --> 00:25:11,378
country from terrorism, we
should not reinforce the
438
00:25:11,376 --> 00:25:15,916
ideas and the rhetoric of
the terrorists themselves.
439
00:25:15,914 --> 00:25:17,714
I often hear it said that we
need moral clarity
440
00:25:17,716 --> 00:25:20,416
in this fight.
441
00:25:20,418 --> 00:25:26,088
And the suggestion is
somehow that if I would
442
00:25:26,091 --> 00:25:30,131
simply say, these are
all Islamic terrorists,
443
00:25:30,128 --> 00:25:32,698
then we would actually have
solved the problem
444
00:25:32,697 --> 00:25:33,667
by now, apparently.
445
00:25:33,665 --> 00:25:35,905
(laughter)
446
00:25:35,901 --> 00:25:40,001
Well, I agree, we actually
do need moral clarity.
447
00:25:40,005 --> 00:25:41,375
Let's have some
moral clarity.
448
00:25:41,373 --> 00:25:44,073
(applause)
449
00:25:44,075 --> 00:25:47,345
Groups like ISIL are
desperate for legitimacy.
450
00:25:47,345 --> 00:25:48,845
They try to portray
themselves as religious
451
00:25:48,847 --> 00:25:53,187
leaders and holy warriors
who speak for Islam.
452
00:25:53,184 --> 00:25:55,324
I refuse to give
them legitimacy.
453
00:25:55,320 --> 00:25:56,990
We must never give
them that legitimacy.
454
00:25:56,988 --> 00:26:02,498
(applause)
455
00:26:02,494 --> 00:26:05,994
They're not defending Islam.
456
00:26:05,997 --> 00:26:07,337
They're not
defending Muslims.
457
00:26:07,332 --> 00:26:09,302
The vast majority of the
people they kill are
458
00:26:09,301 --> 00:26:12,141
innocent Muslim men,
women and children.
459
00:26:12,137 --> 00:26:16,507
(applause)
460
00:26:16,508 --> 00:26:19,748
And, by the way, the notion
that America is at war with
461
00:26:19,744 --> 00:26:25,114
Islam ignores the fact that
the world's religions are a
462
00:26:25,116 --> 00:26:27,086
part of who we are.
463
00:26:27,085 --> 00:26:29,555
We can't be at war with any
other religion because the
464
00:26:29,554 --> 00:26:32,894
world's religions are a part
of the very fabric of the
465
00:26:32,891 --> 00:26:35,131
United States, our
national character.
466
00:26:35,126 --> 00:26:41,436
(applause)
467
00:26:41,433 --> 00:26:46,603
So the best way for us to
fight terrorism is to deny
468
00:26:46,604 --> 00:26:51,814
these organizations
legitimacy and to show that
469
00:26:51,810 --> 00:26:53,350
here in the United
States of America,
470
00:26:53,345 --> 00:26:56,585
we do not suppress Islam; we
celebrate and lift up the
471
00:26:56,581 --> 00:26:58,551
success of Muslim Americans.
472
00:26:58,550 --> 00:27:02,390
That's how we show the lie
that they're trying
473
00:27:02,387 --> 00:27:03,517
to propagate.
474
00:27:03,521 --> 00:27:04,191
(applause)
475
00:27:04,189 --> 00:27:09,029
We shouldn't play into
terrorist propaganda.
476
00:27:09,027 --> 00:27:13,297
And we can't suggest that
Islam itself is at the root
477
00:27:13,298 --> 00:27:13,968
of the problem.
478
00:27:13,965 --> 00:27:17,835
That betrays our values.
479
00:27:17,836 --> 00:27:19,376
It alienates
Muslim Americans.
480
00:27:19,371 --> 00:27:25,511
It's hurtful to those kids
who are trying to go to
481
00:27:25,510 --> 00:27:32,350
school and are members
of the Boy Scouts,
482
00:27:32,350 --> 00:27:36,490
and are thinking about
joining our military.
483
00:27:36,488 --> 00:27:40,328
That kind of mindset
helps our enemies.
484
00:27:40,325 --> 00:27:42,325
It helps our
enemies recruit.
485
00:27:42,327 --> 00:27:45,667
It makes us all less safe.
486
00:27:45,663 --> 00:27:52,103
So let's be
clear about that.
487
00:27:54,539 --> 00:27:57,379
Now, finally, just as
all Americans have a
488
00:27:57,375 --> 00:28:00,445
responsibility to reject
discrimination -- I've said
489
00:28:00,445 --> 00:28:03,385
this before -- Muslims
around the world have a
490
00:28:03,381 --> 00:28:08,591
responsibility to reject
extremist ideologies that
491
00:28:08,586 --> 00:28:16,466
are trying to penetrate
within Muslim communities.
492
00:28:16,461 --> 00:28:18,301
Here at this mosque, and
across our country and
493
00:28:18,296 --> 00:28:22,806
around the world, Muslim
leaders are roundly and
494
00:28:22,801 --> 00:28:26,441
repeatedly and consistently
condemning terrorism.
495
00:28:26,438 --> 00:28:28,578
And around the globe,
Muslims who've dared to
496
00:28:28,573 --> 00:28:33,083
speak out have often been
targeted and even killed.
497
00:28:33,078 --> 00:28:36,148
So those voices are there;
we just have to amplify
498
00:28:36,147 --> 00:28:37,647
them more.
499
00:28:37,649 --> 00:28:41,249
(applause)
500
00:28:41,252 --> 00:28:43,822
And it was interesting, in
the discussion I had before
501
00:28:43,822 --> 00:28:45,392
I came out, some
people said,
502
00:28:45,390 --> 00:28:48,590
why is there always
a burden on us?
503
00:28:48,593 --> 00:28:54,263
When a young man in
Charleston shoots African
504
00:28:54,265 --> 00:28:57,105
Americans in a church,
there's not an expectation
505
00:28:57,102 --> 00:28:59,442
that every white person
in America suddenly is
506
00:28:59,437 --> 00:29:02,177
explaining that
they're not racist.
507
00:29:02,173 --> 00:29:05,773
They can -- everybody is
assumed to be horrified by
508
00:29:05,777 --> 00:29:07,777
that act.
509
00:29:07,779 --> 00:29:10,579
And I recognize that
sometimes that
510
00:29:10,582 --> 00:29:14,252
doesn't feel fair.
511
00:29:14,252 --> 00:29:17,192
But part of the answer is to
make sure that the Muslim
512
00:29:17,188 --> 00:29:19,428
community in all
of its variety,
513
00:29:19,424 --> 00:29:22,164
in all the good works
that it's doing,
514
00:29:22,160 --> 00:29:24,860
in all the talent
that's on display,
515
00:29:24,863 --> 00:29:28,333
that it's out there visible
on a consistent basis -- not
516
00:29:28,333 --> 00:29:32,603
just at a certain moment.
517
00:29:32,604 --> 00:29:34,574
(applause)
518
00:29:34,572 --> 00:29:38,642
But what is also true is, is
that there is a battle of
519
00:29:38,643 --> 00:29:43,283
hearts and minds that takes
place -- that is taking
520
00:29:43,281 --> 00:29:46,951
place right now, and
American Muslims are better
521
00:29:46,951 --> 00:29:51,121
positioned than anybody to
show that it is possible to
522
00:29:51,122 --> 00:29:56,132
be faithful to Islam and to
be part of a pluralistic
523
00:29:56,127 --> 00:29:59,627
society, and to be on the
cutting-edge of science,
524
00:29:59,631 --> 00:30:02,171
and to believe in democracy.
525
00:30:02,167 --> 00:30:04,437
(applause)
526
00:30:04,435 --> 00:30:08,705
And so I would urge all of
you not to see this as a
527
00:30:08,706 --> 00:30:16,046
burden, but as a great
opportunity and a great
528
00:30:16,047 --> 00:30:20,617
privilege to
show who you are.
529
00:30:20,618 --> 00:30:25,428
To use a little Christian
expression
530
00:30:25,423 --> 00:30:30,463
-- let your light shine.
531
00:30:30,461 --> 00:30:35,131
Because when you do you'll
make clear that this is not
532
00:30:35,133 --> 00:30:40,103
a clash of civilizations
between the West and Islam.
533
00:30:40,104 --> 00:30:44,514
This is a struggle
between the peace-loving,
534
00:30:44,509 --> 00:30:48,649
overwhelming majority of
Muslims around the world and
535
00:30:48,646 --> 00:30:52,956
a radical, tiny minority.
536
00:30:52,951 --> 00:30:58,921
And ultimately, I'm
confident that the
537
00:30:58,923 --> 00:31:03,993
overwhelming majority
will win that battle.
538
00:31:03,995 --> 00:31:08,235
(applause)
539
00:31:08,233 --> 00:31:10,433
Muslims will decide the
future of your faith.
540
00:31:10,435 --> 00:31:14,105
And I'm confident in the
direction that it will go.
541
00:31:14,105 --> 00:31:16,405
But across the
Islamic world,
542
00:31:16,407 --> 00:31:21,717
influential voices should
consistently speak out with
543
00:31:21,713 --> 00:31:25,653
an affirmative vision
of their faith.
544
00:31:25,650 --> 00:31:27,120
And it's happening.
545
00:31:27,118 --> 00:31:29,158
These are the voices of
Muslim clerics who teach
546
00:31:29,153 --> 00:31:31,323
that Islam prohibits
terrorism,
547
00:31:31,322 --> 00:31:33,462
for the Koran says whoever
kills an innocent,
548
00:31:33,458 --> 00:31:35,628
it is as if he has
killed all mankind.
549
00:31:35,627 --> 00:31:38,927
(applause)
550
00:31:38,930 --> 00:31:41,100
These are the voices
of Muslim scholars,
551
00:31:41,099 --> 00:31:44,699
some of whom join us today,
who know Islam has a
552
00:31:44,702 --> 00:31:48,472
tradition of respect
for other faiths;
553
00:31:48,473 --> 00:31:50,113
and Muslim teachers who
point out that the first
554
00:31:50,108 --> 00:31:55,778
word revealed in the Koran
-- igra -- means "read" --
555
00:31:55,780 --> 00:31:58,220
to seek knowledge, to
question assumptions.
556
00:31:58,216 --> 00:32:02,986
(applause)
557
00:32:02,987 --> 00:32:04,787
Muslim political leaders
have to push back on the lie
558
00:32:04,789 --> 00:32:08,259
that the West
oppresses Muslims,
559
00:32:08,259 --> 00:32:10,829
and against conspiracy
theories that says America
560
00:32:10,828 --> 00:32:14,828
is the cause of every
ill in the Middle East.
561
00:32:14,832 --> 00:32:18,032
Now, that doesn't mean that
Muslim Americans aren't free
562
00:32:18,036 --> 00:32:19,466
to criticize
American
563
00:32:19,470 --> 00:32:21,010
-- U.S. foreign policy.
564
00:32:21,005 --> 00:32:23,345
That's part of
being an American.
565
00:32:23,341 --> 00:32:25,511
I promise you, as the
President of the United States,
566
00:32:25,510 --> 00:32:29,280
I'm mindful that
that is a healthy tradition
567
00:32:29,280 --> 00:32:31,280
that is alive and
well in America.
568
00:32:31,282 --> 00:32:34,522
(laughter)
569
00:32:34,519 --> 00:32:37,319
But like leaders everywhere,
these leaders have been
570
00:32:37,322 --> 00:32:39,962
offering, and need to
continue to offer,
571
00:32:39,957 --> 00:32:42,597
a positive vision
for progress,
572
00:32:42,593 --> 00:32:48,863
and that includes political
and economic progress.
573
00:32:48,866 --> 00:32:51,036
And we have to acknowledge
that much of the violence in
574
00:32:51,035 --> 00:33:00,175
places like the Middle East
is now turning into fights
575
00:33:00,178 --> 00:33:06,788
between sects -- Shia,
Sunni and others -- where
576
00:33:06,784 --> 00:33:08,984
differences are often
exploited to serve political
577
00:33:08,986 --> 00:33:10,626
agendas, as I said earlier.
578
00:33:10,621 --> 00:33:12,661
And this bloodshed is
destroying Muslim families
579
00:33:12,657 --> 00:33:19,897
and communities, and there
has to be global pressure to
580
00:33:19,897 --> 00:33:24,937
have the vision and the
courage to end this kind of
581
00:33:24,936 --> 00:33:30,606
thinking and this approach
to organizing political power.
582
00:33:30,608 --> 00:33:33,608
It's not
historically unique.
583
00:33:33,611 --> 00:33:35,881
It's happened in every
part of the world -- from
584
00:33:35,880 --> 00:33:40,520
Northern Ireland
to Africa, to Asia,
585
00:33:40,518 --> 00:33:45,428
to right here in the United
States -- in the past.
586
00:33:45,423 --> 00:33:51,063
But it is something that
we have to fight against.
587
00:33:51,062 --> 00:33:53,662
And we know it's possible.
588
00:33:53,664 --> 00:33:56,164
Across the history of
Islam, different sects
589
00:33:56,167 --> 00:33:59,007
traditionally have lived and
thrived together peacefully.
590
00:33:59,003 --> 00:34:01,173
And in many parts of the
world they do today,
591
00:34:01,172 --> 00:34:04,672
including here in
the United States.
592
00:34:04,675 --> 00:34:06,175
Like people of
all religions,
593
00:34:06,177 --> 00:34:08,017
Muslims living their
faith in a modern,
594
00:34:08,012 --> 00:34:13,922
pluralistic world are called
upon to uphold human rights,
595
00:34:13,918 --> 00:34:16,218
to make sure that
everyone has opportunity.
596
00:34:16,220 --> 00:34:18,990
That includes the
aspirations of women and
597
00:34:18,990 --> 00:34:23,090
youth and all people.
598
00:34:23,094 --> 00:34:25,564
If we expect our own
dignity to be respected,
599
00:34:25,563 --> 00:34:28,703
so must we respect the
dignity of others.
600
00:34:28,699 --> 00:34:32,639
(applause)
601
00:34:35,339 --> 00:34:39,079
So let me conclude by saying
that as Muslim communities
602
00:34:39,076 --> 00:34:41,676
stand up for the future
that you believe in,
603
00:34:41,679 --> 00:34:45,049
that you exhibit in
your daily lives,
604
00:34:45,049 --> 00:34:54,029
as you teach your children,
America will be your partner.
605
00:34:54,025 --> 00:35:01,295
We will -- I will -- do
everything I can to lift up
606
00:35:01,299 --> 00:35:03,569
the multiplicity of Muslim
voices that promote
607
00:35:03,568 --> 00:35:05,268
pluralism and peace.
608
00:35:05,269 --> 00:35:08,939
(applause)
609
00:35:08,940 --> 00:35:11,040
We will continue to reach
out to young Muslims around
610
00:35:11,042 --> 00:35:13,142
the world, empowering them
with science and technology
611
00:35:13,144 --> 00:35:16,444
and entrepreneurship, so
they can pursue their
612
00:35:16,447 --> 00:35:18,987
God-given potential,
and help build up their
613
00:35:18,983 --> 00:35:22,223
communities and
provide opportunity.
614
00:35:22,220 --> 00:35:24,120
It's why we will continue to
partner with Muslim American
615
00:35:24,121 --> 00:35:27,591
communities -- not just to
help you protect against
616
00:35:27,592 --> 00:35:29,992
extremist threats, but to
expand health care and
617
00:35:29,994 --> 00:35:31,464
education and opportunity --
618
00:35:31,462 --> 00:35:32,862
(applause)
619
00:35:32,864 --> 00:35:34,434
-- because that's the
best way to build strong,
620
00:35:34,432 --> 00:35:38,672
resilient communities.
621
00:35:38,669 --> 00:35:43,779
Our values must guide
us in this work.
622
00:35:43,774 --> 00:35:46,314
Engagement with Muslim
American communities must
623
00:35:46,310 --> 00:35:48,180
never be a cover
for surveillance.
624
00:35:48,179 --> 00:35:49,009
(applause)
625
00:35:49,013 --> 00:35:51,083
We can't give in to
profiling entire groups
626
00:35:51,082 --> 00:35:53,652
of people.
627
00:35:53,651 --> 00:35:56,221
There's no one single
profile of terrorists.
628
00:35:56,220 --> 00:35:58,460
We can't securitize our
entire relationship with
629
00:35:58,456 --> 00:36:00,026
Muslim Americans.
630
00:36:00,024 --> 00:36:01,824
We can't deal with you
solely through the prism of
631
00:36:01,826 --> 00:36:03,156
law enforcement.
632
00:36:03,160 --> 00:36:06,030
We've got to build trust
and mutual respect.
633
00:36:06,030 --> 00:36:09,230
That's how we'll keep our
communities strong and our
634
00:36:09,233 --> 00:36:12,803
communities united.
635
00:36:12,803 --> 00:36:16,973
As I was in discussion with
the young people before I
636
00:36:16,974 --> 00:36:23,644
came in here, I said
this will be a process.
637
00:36:23,648 --> 00:36:28,388
Law enforcement
has a tough job.
638
00:36:28,386 --> 00:36:30,126
Some of these groups are
specifically trying to
639
00:36:30,121 --> 00:36:33,161
target Muslim youth.
640
00:36:33,157 --> 00:36:35,997
We're going to have to be
partners in this process.
641
00:36:35,993 --> 00:36:40,193
There will be times where
the relationship is clumsy
642
00:36:40,197 --> 00:36:42,667
or mishandled.
643
00:36:42,667 --> 00:36:46,467
But I want you to know that
from the President to the
644
00:36:46,470 --> 00:36:48,910
FBI Director, to everybody
in law enforcement,
645
00:36:48,906 --> 00:36:51,446
my directive and their
understanding is,
646
00:36:51,442 --> 00:36:55,682
is that this is something
we have to do together.
647
00:36:55,680 --> 00:36:59,620
And if we don't do it well,
then we're actually not
648
00:36:59,617 --> 00:37:01,587
making ourselves safer;
we're making ourselves
649
00:37:01,586 --> 00:37:05,886
less safe.
650
00:37:05,890 --> 00:37:08,030
And here, I want to speak
directly to the young people
651
00:37:08,025 --> 00:37:11,365
who may be listening.
652
00:37:11,362 --> 00:37:14,162
In our lives, we all
have many identities.
653
00:37:14,165 --> 00:37:16,705
We are sons and daughters,
and brothers and sisters.
654
00:37:16,701 --> 00:37:26,141
We're classmates; Cub
Scout troop members.
655
00:37:26,143 --> 00:37:27,913
We're followers
of our faith.
656
00:37:27,912 --> 00:37:31,112
We're citizens
of our country.
657
00:37:31,115 --> 00:37:33,855
And today, there are
voices in this world,
658
00:37:33,851 --> 00:37:35,291
particularly over
the Internet,
659
00:37:35,286 --> 00:37:39,086
who are constantly claiming
that you have to choose
660
00:37:39,090 --> 00:37:44,160
between your identities --
as a Muslim, for example,
661
00:37:44,161 --> 00:37:45,061
or an American.
662
00:37:45,062 --> 00:37:46,762
Do not believe them.
663
00:37:46,764 --> 00:37:48,664
If you're ever wondering
whether you fit in here,
664
00:37:48,666 --> 00:37:50,166
let me say it as
clearly as I can,
665
00:37:50,167 --> 00:37:53,307
as President of the United
States: You fit in here
666
00:37:53,304 --> 00:37:54,404
-- right here.
667
00:37:54,405 --> 00:37:55,405
(applause)
668
00:37:55,406 --> 00:37:56,536
You're right
where you belong.
669
00:37:56,540 --> 00:37:57,910
You're part of America, too.
670
00:37:57,908 --> 00:38:02,078
(applause)
671
00:38:03,114 --> 00:38:04,954
You're not Muslim
or American.
672
00:38:04,949 --> 00:38:06,319
You're Muslim and American.
673
00:38:06,317 --> 00:38:10,417
(applause)
674
00:38:10,421 --> 00:38:14,261
Don't grow cynical.
675
00:38:14,258 --> 00:38:17,028
Don't respond to ignorance
by embracing a world view
676
00:38:17,028 --> 00:38:18,898
that suggests you must
choose between your faith
677
00:38:18,896 --> 00:38:21,066
and your patriotism.
678
00:38:21,065 --> 00:38:26,105
Don't believe that you have
to choose between your best
679
00:38:26,103 --> 00:38:36,443
impulses and somehow embrace
a world view that pits us
680
00:38:36,447 --> 00:38:39,687
against each other
-- or, even worse,
681
00:38:39,684 --> 00:38:43,324
glorifies violence.
682
00:38:43,320 --> 00:38:46,920
Understand your power
to bring about change.
683
00:38:46,924 --> 00:38:48,694
Stay engaged in
your community.
684
00:38:48,693 --> 00:38:52,663
Help move our country
forward -- your country forward.
685
00:38:52,663 --> 00:38:56,833
(applause)
686
00:38:58,636 --> 00:39:01,306
We are blessed to live in
a nation where even if we
687
00:39:01,305 --> 00:39:05,045
sometimes stumble, even if
we sometimes fall short,
688
00:39:05,042 --> 00:39:08,442
we never stop striving
for our ideals.
689
00:39:08,446 --> 00:39:12,146
We keep moving closer to
that more perfect union.
690
00:39:12,149 --> 00:39:14,119
We're a country where, if
you work hard and if you
691
00:39:14,118 --> 00:39:18,658
play by the rules, you
can ultimately make it,
692
00:39:18,656 --> 00:39:22,456
no matter who you
are or how you pray.
693
00:39:22,460 --> 00:39:27,970
It may not always start off
even in the race, but here,
694
00:39:27,965 --> 00:39:30,135
more than any place else,
there's the opportunity to
695
00:39:30,134 --> 00:39:31,834
run that race.
696
00:39:31,836 --> 00:39:34,506
And as we go forward, I want
every Muslim American to
697
00:39:34,505 --> 00:39:36,805
remember you are not alone.
698
00:39:36,807 --> 00:39:39,447
Your fellow Americans stand
with you -- just as Sabah
699
00:39:39,443 --> 00:39:45,083
described her friends after
she decided that she was
700
00:39:45,082 --> 00:39:47,682
going to start
wearing a hijab.
701
00:39:47,685 --> 00:39:52,755
That's not unusual.
702
00:39:52,757 --> 00:39:57,127
Because just as so often
we only hear about Muslims
703
00:39:57,128 --> 00:40:01,168
after a terrorist attack,
so often we only hear about
704
00:40:01,165 --> 00:40:04,705
Americans' response to
Muslims after a hate crime
705
00:40:04,702 --> 00:40:07,802
has happened, we don't
always hear about the
706
00:40:07,805 --> 00:40:14,645
extraordinary respect and
love and community that so
707
00:40:14,645 --> 00:40:17,115
many Americans feel.
708
00:40:17,114 --> 00:40:19,484
I'm thinking about the
seven-year-old boy in Texas
709
00:40:19,483 --> 00:40:22,453
who emptied his piggy bank
to help a mosque that had
710
00:40:22,453 --> 00:40:23,583
been vandalized.
711
00:40:23,587 --> 00:40:25,927
(applause)
712
00:40:25,923 --> 00:40:31,763
Or all the faith communities
that rallied around Muslim
713
00:40:31,762 --> 00:40:38,872
Americans after the
tragedy in Chapel Hill.
714
00:40:38,869 --> 00:40:41,109
The churches and the
synagogues standing
715
00:40:41,105 --> 00:40:44,175
shoulder-to-shoulder with
their local mosques,
716
00:40:44,175 --> 00:40:46,575
including the woman carrying
a sign saying "We love our
717
00:40:46,577 --> 00:40:50,877
Muslim neighbors."
718
00:40:50,881 --> 00:40:52,721
Think of our men and
women in uniform who,
719
00:40:52,716 --> 00:40:54,456
when they heard that a
little girl was afraid
720
00:40:54,451 --> 00:40:56,991
because she's a Muslim, sent
her a message
721
00:40:56,987 --> 00:40:58,687
-- "I Will Protect You."
722
00:40:58,689 --> 00:41:04,199
(applause)
723
00:41:05,596 --> 00:41:07,666
I want every American
to remember how Muslim
724
00:41:07,665 --> 00:41:10,765
communities are standing
up for others, as well.
725
00:41:10,768 --> 00:41:12,768
Because right
now, as we speak,
726
00:41:12,770 --> 00:41:15,470
there are Muslims in Kenya
who saved Christians from
727
00:41:15,472 --> 00:41:18,372
terrorists, and Muslims
who just met in Morocco to
728
00:41:18,375 --> 00:41:19,645
protect religious
minorities,
729
00:41:19,643 --> 00:41:21,113
including
Christians and Jews.
730
00:41:21,111 --> 00:41:26,451
(applause)
731
00:41:26,450 --> 00:41:29,220
The good people of this
mosque helped this city move
732
00:41:29,220 --> 00:41:32,020
forward after the
turmoil of last year.
733
00:41:32,022 --> 00:41:33,692
Muslim Americans across
the country helped
734
00:41:33,691 --> 00:41:37,561
African American churches
rebuild after arson.
735
00:41:37,561 --> 00:41:39,631
Remember the Muslim
Americans in Boston who
736
00:41:39,630 --> 00:41:43,400
reached out to victims
of the Marathon bombing;
737
00:41:43,400 --> 00:41:46,040
the Muslim Americans across
the country who raised money
738
00:41:46,036 --> 00:41:48,636
for the families
of San Bernardino;
739
00:41:48,639 --> 00:41:50,909
the Muslim Americans in
Chattanooga who honored our
740
00:41:50,908 --> 00:41:53,348
fallen servicemembers,
one of them saying,
741
00:41:53,344 --> 00:41:57,114
"in the name of God, the God
of Abraham, Moses, Jesus,
742
00:41:57,114 --> 00:42:00,584
and Muhammad, God bless
our fallen heroes."
743
00:42:00,584 --> 00:42:05,624
(applause)
744
00:42:06,423 --> 00:42:09,393
We are one American family.
745
00:42:09,393 --> 00:42:13,563
We will rise and
fall together.
746
00:42:13,564 --> 00:42:16,734
It won't always be easy.
747
00:42:16,734 --> 00:42:24,204
There will be times where
our worst impulses
748
00:42:24,208 --> 00:42:28,348
are given voice.
749
00:42:28,345 --> 00:42:32,085
But I believe
that ultimately,
750
00:42:32,082 --> 00:42:36,392
our best voices
will win out.
751
00:42:36,387 --> 00:42:38,527
And that gives me confidence
and faith in the future.
752
00:42:38,522 --> 00:42:40,292
(applause)
753
00:42:40,291 --> 00:42:47,231
After more than 200 years,
our blended heritage,
754
00:42:47,231 --> 00:42:49,131
the patchwork quilt
which is America,
755
00:42:49,133 --> 00:42:50,803
that is not a weakness,
that is one of our
756
00:42:50,801 --> 00:42:52,471
greatest strengths.
757
00:42:52,469 --> 00:42:54,939
It's what makes us a
beacon to the world.
758
00:42:54,939 --> 00:42:57,879
It's what led that mother
who wrote to me -- the one
759
00:42:57,875 --> 00:43:02,115
who worries about her young
daughter -- it led her to
760
00:43:02,112 --> 00:43:04,812
end her letter with
hope, despite her fears.
761
00:43:04,815 --> 00:43:13,625
She said, "I still believe
in one nation, under God,
762
00:43:13,624 --> 00:43:16,924
indivisible, with liberty
and justice for all."
763
00:43:16,927 --> 00:43:18,697
(applause)
764
00:43:18,696 --> 00:43:20,396
May God's peace be upon you.
765
00:43:20,397 --> 00:43:22,197
May God bless the United
States of America.
766
00:43:22,199 --> 00:43:23,539
Thank you very
much, everybody.
767
00:43:23,534 --> 00:43:25,474
(applause)
