Obama visits USA mosque, says impression of Muslims distorted

President Barack Obama made a historic visit to a Maryland mosque at the Islamic Center of Baltimore on Wednesday, the first time in his presidency.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that Muslims are important section of American community which played key role to make United States a great country.

“We’ve heard inexcusable political rhetoric against Muslim-Americans that has no place in our country”, he said after meeting behind closed doors with Muslim community leaders from around the U.S. Muslim-American advocacy groups have warned of growing antagonism that has followed recent attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California, by those purporting to act in the name of Islam.

Hooper said harassment and bullying is also on the rise.

“It’s just offensive to a lot of Americans who recognize that those kinds of cynical political tactics run directly contrary to the values…in this country”, said Earnest at Tuesday’s briefing.

Trump recently called for a ban on all Muslims entering the United States.

Republicans capitalized on public misconceptions about Obama’s own religion during the 2008 and 2012 elections, leaning on the assumption that voters would not want a Muslim president. “We must never give them that legitimacy”.

“By the way, opponents of Thomas Jefferson tried to stir things up by suggesting that he’s Muslim, so I’m not the first”, Obama said with a smirk. “America and Islam are not exclusive”, he said, and share “common principles of justice and progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings”.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Donald Trump revived questions of President Barack Obama’s religion on Wednesday, saying the President went to a mosque in Baltimore because “maybe he feels comfortable there”. “It’s true. Look it up”. The children led the audience, with some men in prayer caps and most women in head scarves, in the US Pledge of Allegiance.

Obama in Baltimore today.

“Let me say as clearly as I can as president of the United States: you fit right here”, Obama said. However, when those who say they think religious teachings are the bigger problem are asked to specify which religions they think are problematic, Islam is the most common response offered, it said. “It is also a continuing journey – a journey steeped in American history and tradition”.