The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
Two teenagers in Texas wrote to the President about being Muslim in America.
Today, President Obama will make his first visit to a mosque in America to reaffirm our nation's tradition of religious freedom. Before watching his speech, read these letters from two young Muslim Americans.
H. from Texas wrote about his Muslim faith, saying "we just want to live in peace."
Hello Mr. President My name is H. and I'm 14 years old. I'm a young Muslim that goes to a Islamic Muslim school. At my school their teaching us to love everyone and love the religion of Islam. I love all races and all religions. No one is right and no one is wrong.
What I wanted to ask you is that if you could help me and all the other Muslim citizens in us that are scared and hiding in their homes to be protected. If you could, may you please make a video that will maybe star on CNN or any famous news channel to tel Americans that their are bad people like Isis that are not Muslims at all. They call them selves Muslims that's spreads a message around the world that were all terrorist.
Islam is a religion of peace and freedom and we don't have anything in our religion to tell us to kill. We love Everyone and we just want to live in peace. Isis is trying to tell people on media that all Muslims are bad to spread trouble. I'm sorry to bother you mr. President but all my Muslim friends are scared to tell people their Muslims outside their homes. They are scared to walk with their moms because they wear a scarf and don't want to be noticed. Please if you could show people that were not all bad. I know theirs some that know that and I'm greatful for having such kind hearted people in our world. But theirs some who haven't heard the message yet. Thank you for your time and I pray this message will reach you. And if not to who ever reads this, please please try to help me and everyone around the United States with racial problems.
I. from Texas asked, "When will the world realize that terrorism has no religion, race, or color?"
Dear Mr. Obama,
I know you are aware of all the events that have been happening for the last few days. I know you must also be aware of the discrimination happening against Muslims. I have read many articles and many stories, some against us, some with us. Most of them involve society repeatedly saying, and I quote, "Islam is the religion of ignorance and hate and a fake God." Along with all these stories, the trending tag remains #stopislam, and I'm not okay with this.
When will the world realize that terrorism has no religion, race, or color? I know that there is not much to do about this situation, because no matter what society tells people, they are still going to make accusations, but I really want to spread awareness. This is the 21st century, I don't understand why people can't just get along.
Another thing people are saying is that the government should stop letting in Muslim immigrants into America. I want people to know that they are wrong, because like our holy Quran says, "Whoever kills a person [unjustly]...it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.” (Qur’an, 5:32). Religions dont kill people, people kill people. I would really like if we can talk about this, it would be a great opportunity for me, and for the rest of America, because if ones thing is for sure, it's that everyone needs to know the truth, and everyone needs to know it now, before something worse happens. Thank you, I'm sorry for the inconvenience, and I really hope this message reaches out to you.
Sincerely, I., a confused 14-year old trying to find her place in the world.
Read more:
Muslim and American: Voices from the White House
Email from Rumana Ahmed: Why President Obama is visiting a mosque today
