President Obama to American Muslims: ‘You fit in here’

BALTIMORE — President Barack Obama, speaking in Baltimore County during his first visit to a U.S. mosque, urged voters to reject the “inexcusable political rhetoric” he said is emanating from the presidential campaign trail as he called on Americans to embrace a common humanity.

In a speech that touched on the role Islam has played in this country and around the world, Obama decried the rise in violence directed at Muslims since the deadly attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif.

“I know that in Muslim communities across our country, this is a time of concern and, frankly, some fear,” Obama told about 200 people gathered at the Islamic Society of Baltimore, which is home to one of the largest mosques in the Mid-Atlantic region.

“Let me say it as clearly as I can, as president of the United States, you fit in here,” Obama said. “You’re not Muslim or American, you’re Muslim and American. Don’t grow cynical.”

Before his remarks, Obama met with Muslim community leaders, including Imam Yaseen Shaikh, a resident scholar at the society, and Ibtihaj Muhammad, a member of the United States fencing team and the first Muslim woman to represent the country in international fencing, according to the White House.

The event drew only a small number of protesters, standing outside the campus in a cold rain.

The mosque began as a small Sunday gathering at the Johns Hopkins University but is now one of the largest and most influential Muslim communities in the Mid-Atlantic.

Obama described the society as an “All-American story.”

Muslims, who are estimated to make up nearly 1 percent of the U.S. population, have faced increasing discrimination and hostility in the wake of deadly attacks in San Bernardino and Paris linked to the self-declared Islamic State, Muslims and others say.

The White House has said the Baltimore-area mosque was chosen because it represents the diversity of the Muslim community. Administration officials dismissed questions raised by conservative blogs about the society’s ties to extremist groups.

“I think you can see that this is an institution that’s making a valuable contribution to its community,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said. “This is a faith community that regularly speaks out against extremism.”

Earnest blamed the reports on politics.

“If anything, if it elevates the president’s visit and elevates the president’s message,” Earnest said of the reports, “then our opponents should keep it up.”

Without naming candidates, Obama pointed to “inexcusable political rhetoric” that he said “has no place in our country.” Because of that rhetoric, he said, “It’s not a surprise then that threats and harassment for American Muslims have surged.”

The ceremony began with an honor guard, Pledge of Allegiance, recitation of the Quran.

Muhammad Jameel, president of the Islamic Society of Baltimore, delivered brief remarks, noting the history of the society, which began with a small group of students and staff at Johns Hopkins University in 1969.

“We never thought when he held our first prayers in that small room a half century ago that we would be hosting the president of the United States,” he said.

Mujahiddeen Mohammed, 31, had brought his family down from Philadelphia to see the president make his first visit to a U.S. mosque while in office.

He was huddled with his sleeping son under an umbrella, but chose to see the drizzle as an auspicious sign.

Muslims see rain on a funeral as washing away the sins of the departed, Mohammed said. He thought the rain and the president’s visit marked the death of racism and intolerance.

It was important for his children to see the president, especially at this moment, Mohammed said.

“That the he looks like them and supports their religion is an added bonus,” he said.

The presidential motorcade rolled up Johnnycake Road just after 11 a.m., passing a few protesters waving signs about the Palestinian militant organization Hamas. As the vehicles turned into the mosque’s grounds, a lone Christian preacher spoke through a megaphone.

“Jesus Christ is Lord,” he said. “Hallelujah!”

The man, who declined to give his name, had spent much of the morning denouncing Islam as a false religion. A young Arab-American from the neighborhood tried to debate him.

Asli Ali, 36, was part of a group that had came up from Dar Al-Hijrah, a mosque in Falls Church, Va. They thought they were on the guest list but because of some confusion they had to stay outside.

Ali said she was pleased to see the president make a visit to a mosque during his time in office.

“It took him eight years to get here but it’s a big deal,” she said.