USA: Muslim Community Member in Duluth Reacts to Trump Comments | Video

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"The worst thing is ISIS is doing this in the name of Islam. And Donald Trump is doing this in America in the name of American values."

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: ABC 10/13 WDIO
By Baihly Warfield | December 8, 2015

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has again sparked outcry, this time saying the U.S. should temporarily ban all Muslim travel into the country at a South Carolina rally Monday. While Trump's supporters are cheering his comments, they're sparking outrage from many others. The remarks come in the wake of the San Bernardino, California shootings that killed 14 and wounded 21.

A Northland man who is Musilm and came to the United States from Pakistan 22 years ago is urging a more human solution to the problem of radical Islam.

"I call myself a true Muslim, and a patriotic American," UMD Professor and Ahmadiyya Muslim Community member Imran Hayee said.

Those two identities are why he said he is "doubly hurt" by Trump's statement that there should be "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States."

Hayee said he still doesn't believe that the majority of Americans think like Trump, though.

"The worst thing is ISIS is doing this in the name of Islam. And Donald Trump is doing this in America in the name of American values," Hayee said.

Still, it hasn't been an easy two weeks for the Muslim community, so Hayee is urging that while emotions are running high, a peaceful response is what is needed.

"You cannot negate and defeat hate with hate," Hayee said. "It will just increase more hate."

Responding with love and wisdom are the goal, and Hayee said he has never felt a conflict between his Muslim beliefs and his patriotism as an American.

"We should never try to blame a religion. If we do that, I think we will be creating this division in America, and I think that will be devastating against the founding principles of America," Hayee said.

Hayee said the Islamic State is not just an enemy of America or of Christianity, but an enemy of humanity as a whole.

"They have killed more Muslims, almost eight times Muslims, as they have killed non-Muslims," Hayee stated. "I think every human being needs to stand against them."

He thinks the key to overcoming potential Islamophobia is familiarity.

"I would ask them to come and spend a day with me or any other Muslim," Hayee said. "Get to know Muslims, I think that's the only things which you can do."

Hayee is actually traveling to Pakistan Wednesday for a few weeks to attend a conference and to see family.



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