President Obama arrives at Maryland mosque

Mr. Obama has been highly critical of both presidential candidates for proposing a ban on Muslim immigrants or a religious test for Syrian refugees entering the U.S.

“The first thing I want to say is two words that Muslim Americans don’t hear often enough – and that is, thank you, “President Obama said Wednesday”.

“The best way to fight terrorism is to show the USA does not suppress Islam and refute lies to the contrary”, Obama said in his historic address to Muslim community from a mosque in Baltimore, Maryland.

“We have seen children bullied, we have seen mosques vandalised”, said Obama.

He said that while America must unite to fight terrorism, such stance against Muslims will reiterate behavior similar to the terrorists. They say communication at the community level fosters change in how they’re perceived.

President Obama met with Muslim-American leaders from around the country at the Islamic Society of Baltimore Wednesday.

According to the Pew Research Center, Islam is the fastest growing religion. This is Obama’s first visit to a mosque as president – although George W. Bush also visited a mosque in New York City after the attacks of 9/11.

American Muslims have had a rough go of it lately, largely owing to the backlash after November’s shootings in Paris and December’s San Bernardino attacks as well as the ridiculous, bigoted ramblings of a certain presidential candidate.

It was a powerful message to a nation scarred by horrific terror attacks in the past and torn over fears of radical violence in the future, the burden of which has been placed largely on the shoulders of the Muslim community.

It was Obama’s first official appearance at a mosque in the US.

To those Americans who have never visited a mosque, he said: “Think of your own churches and synagogues, where people come to worship, to express their love for God and to each other”.

President Obama spoke warmly about Islam during his speech at a mosque today, highlighting the contributions that Muslims had made to the fabric of American society. “So, I am in good company”.

Islam is just as “normal” an American religion as Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism – or any other faith.