US Muslim Brotherhood Supports Obama Remarks On Ground Zero Mosque

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The US Muslim Brotherhood is strong supporting President Obama’s statement in support of of the right of Muslims to build the controversial Islamic center near the site of the 911 attacks. For example, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) issued the following statement:

Friday evening, at an iftar hosted at the White House, President Obama issued a clear statement that the rights of Muslims to practice their religion in America must be protected. President Obama spoke for the first time on the controversy surrounding the construction of “Cordoba House,” a proposed mosque and Islamic Center in New York City, New York. Some are calling this one of the most courageous acts taken by a president lately. …More than 100 Muslim leaders from around the world joined President Obama at Friday’s White House iftar, including ISNA President Dr. Ingrid Mattson and ISNA Vice President Imam Mohamed Magid. Muslim diplomats from around the world, political, religious, and community leaders were also in attendance at the dinner.ISNA President Dr. Ingrid Mattson states, “ISNA thanks the President for his strong and articulate support of the Muslim community and our rights here tonight. It was made clear that the right to religious freedom for all, including Muslim Americans, is supported by our President”…”ISNA is proud of the positive leadership shown by President Obama and Mayor Michael Bloomberg. There is more work to be done to protect the civil rights of Muslim Americans, and ISNA hopes elected officials across the country will join the President and Mayor to bravely protect those rights as well,” said Dr. Mattson.

The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), also in attendance at the White House iftar dinner, concurred in its statement of support:

During his remarks at the White House’s annual iftar held last night, President Barack Obama stressed the central value of religious freedom, saying America should “treat everyone equal regardless” of religion. MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati along with intern Saaliha Khan were honored to be guests at the event. WATCH: President’s Speech at White House iftar READ: President’s Full Remarks at White House Ramadan Dinner President Obama pointed out that Thomas Jefferson was the first American President to host a White House iftar, in honor of Tunisian dignitaries over 200 years ago. He noted that Americans of various faiths – including Jews and Catholics – seeking to build their houses of worship have faced discrimination in the past, they were able to overcome those challenges and enriched our nation’s pluralism in the process. “The President’s made a historic speech in favor of religious freedom. He and Mayor Bloomberg have set the standard for other political leaders to preserve America’s open society,” said MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati. “The President landed a major blow against Al-Qaeda’s false narrative that America is at war with Islam. We hope that other religious and civic groups will stand behind the President’s commitment for openness and tolerance.” President Obama also mentioned that Muslim religious leaders have condemned violent extremism and that thousands of American Muslims proudly and bravely serve in our Armed Forces. MPAC intern Saaliha Khan, a student at Georgetown University, had the privilege of sitting at the President’s table. Al-Marayati and Khan thanked the President for his stand, reaffirmed the Muslim American community’s commitment to civic engagement, and committed to empowering more young Muslim American leaders to engage in public service in our nation’s capitol and around the country.

US media is also reporting that Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) director Nihad Awad expressed the hope that Obama’s remarks “will serve as encouragement to those who are challenging the rising level of Islamophobia in our society.”

A Hudson Institute report identifies all three organizations as important parts of the US Muslim Brotherhood.

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