In the wake of the terrorist attacks in Brussels, President Barack Obama calls for “openness to refugees fleeing ISIL’s violence.”
During his weekly address on Saturday, Obama said, “[W]e have to reject any attempt to stigmatize Muslim-Americans, and their enormous contributions to our country and our way of life.”
“As we move forward in this fight, we have to wield another weapon alongside our airstrikes, our military, our counterterrorism work, and our diplomacy. And that’s the power of our example,” Obama said. “Our openness to refugees fleeing ISIL’s violence. Our determination to win the battle against ISIL’s hateful and violent propaganda – a distorted view of Islam that aims to radicalize young Muslims to their cause.”
“In that effort, our most important partners are American Muslims. That’s why we have to reject any attempt to stigmatize Muslim-Americans, and their enormous contributions to our country and our way of life. Such attempts are contrary to our character, to our values, and to our history as a nation built around the idea of religious freedom. It’s also counterproductive. It plays right into the hands of terrorists who want to turn us against one another; who need a reason to recruit more people to their hateful cause.”
Obama did acknowledge in his address that “at least two Americans were killed” and “at least fourteen Americans were injured.”
“We pray for their families and loved ones,” Obama commented.
In total, 31 people were killed in Brussels terrorist attacks and 300 were injured.
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