Islamic Center in Butler County calls for healing, collaboration

In contrast to protests around the country after Donald Trump's election victory, the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati is calling for unity.

“There is no better time than now to set divisive politics and hurt behind us,” said Shakila T. Ahmad, president and board chair of the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati, in a statement.

PHOTOS: INSIDE ISLAMIC CENTER OF GREATER CINCINNATI

The Center, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, is located in West Chester Twp.

“Our Islamic Center community has been since it’s inception fully committed to being welcoming and collaborative with all people and will do its part to further that goal regardless of the national tenor,” Ahmad said. “We as Muslim Americans congratulate president-elect Donald Trump and look forward to our continued civic engagement and full protections and rights as Americans.”

“Though sadly, this presidential campaign has been mean-spirited, alienating, and has disrespected the very philosophy that is at the heart of this nation’s founding, the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati will actively work to encourage dialogue in Greater Cincinnati that increases understanding of the challenges and contributions of all of our religious, racial and ethnic groups, including persons seeking citizenship,” Ahmad said in her statement.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, issued a statement Wednesday calling on Trump to respect the rights of all Americans. It also pledged to work with fellow Americans to strengthen the nation.

Cincinnati’s chapter of CAIR gathered with other local Muslim community-based organizations on Thursday at the CAIR office in Sycamore Twp. to respond to the results of the presidential election.

In a statement reacting to Tuesday’s election, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

“As citizens of this great nation, we accept the result of the democratic process that has bound us together as one nation.

Regardless of who won or lost yesterday’s election, American Muslims are here to stay. We are not going anywhere, and will not be intimidated or marginalized. God-willing, the American Muslim community will continue to mobilize to challenge bigotry, to uphold justice and to protect the freedoms and rights of all Americans. American Muslims will also increase outreach to their fellow citizens of other faiths and backgrounds to build bridges of mutual understanding and cooperation.

We will hold the new president to the highest standard in defending the rights of all those residing in our nation, as guaranteed by the Constitution.

America is strongest and best when all its communities, institutions and leaders are working together to build a better future for its people and for the world. We look forward to continuing to work with all of our federal, state and local leaders to achieve such a future.

CAIR will continue to be a fearless and principled defender of the Muslim community, regardless of who leads our nation.

To those in the American Muslim community who are fearful of the future, know that America is your home and you have the same rights and responsibilities as all other Americans. Rest assured that CAIR is here for you, your family and your children.

God is the best of planners.”

In October, CAIR released the results of a nationwide survey of Muslim voters on the presidential election and on issues of concern to the Muslim community. The survey found that 85 percent of polled Muslim voters believed that Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment in the U.S. has increased in the past year. Thirty percent of respondents say they have experienced discrimination or profiling in the past year.

This article contains additional reporting by our news partner WCPO 9 On Your Side.

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