Muslim American Society of Minnesota
4100 East 66th Street. Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
Ph: 651-457-7170. Fax: 651-457-7190. www.MASmn.org
January 30th, 2017
MAS MN Statement on Muslim Ban
I stand today with my colleagues to protest the executive order limiting admission of Muslims to the United States.
It is illegal, it’s unconstitutional, it’s immoral.
Its absolutely un American.
God commands us in the Koran, to be good to our parents, our relatives, to orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the distant neighbor, the companions at our side and the traveler.
Our shared religious values compel us to welcome the stranger into our midst.
We are a nation of immigrants and refugees.
From the pizza to the sambusa, from google to iPhone, we as a nation have benefitted greatly from the immigrants and refugees who have blessed us with their presence.
Let us be clear about this.
This is not an expression of Christianity or Judaism.
Because the Bible and the Koran teach us, when a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him any wrong. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself.
Let us be clear about this.
This is not about immigration policy.
President Trump's mother is an immigrant.
President Trump's wife is an immigrant, as is his ex-wife.
This is about stoking fear and hatred.
And I worry about the soul of my nation.
And I worry about future executive orders that are about to come down the pipeline.
Executive orders that will designate as terrorists some of the organizations of Muslims in this room.
I commend my interfaith colleagues.
I commend the people of this great nation for standing up to it, for reflecting the true spirit of what America is about.
My friends, history will look back at this executive order in shame and disgust, just as we now look with shame and disgust upon the internment of Japanese American citizens during the Second World War.
I call upon the President to rescind this executive order immediately.
Thank you.
To move people to strive for God consciousness, liberty, and justice, and to convey Islam with utmost clarity