2016 campaign a season of discomfort for US Muslims

The imam of Cedar Rapids, Iowa has long considered explaining Islam his mission. But when Republicans start ruminating over jihad and US presidential hopeful Donald Trump, Hassan Selim would rather turn to prayer, reports AFP.
“You come to a point where you get sick of explaining yourself,” the 28-year-old cleric said in his small office in the city’s Islamic Center, a large, modest structure built in 1971 and featuring a blue-roofed minaret.
Imam Selim was born in Egypt, where he studied at the prestigious Al-Azhar University before arriving in Iowa in 2012 to become the spiritual leader of one of America’s oldest Muslim communities.
But instead of promoting his religion’s virtues, he has found himself on the defensive in this heartland state, which on Monday kicks off the voting in America’s months-long presidential nominations process.
“I want to practice my religion,” he told AFP.
“I want to go to the people and explain what Islam is, not what Islam is not, because that’s what we do all the time.”
The center was bustling with children for Sunday school. Nine classes of Arabic, Koran and Islamic studies were taking place simultaneously.
Some of the youths were born into families who arrived here generations ago. Others are recent immigrants from Afghanistan, Morocco, Pakistan, South Africa and Syria.
Since last month’s deadly attacks in San Bernardino, California, news cameras have become commonplace here.

 

2016 campaign a season of discomfort for US Muslims

The imam of Cedar Rapids, Iowa has long considered explaining Islam his mission. But when Republicans start ruminating over jihad and US presidential hopeful Donald Trump, Hassan Selim would rather turn to prayer, reports AFP. You come to a point where you get sick of explaining yourself, the 28-year-old cleric said in his small office in the citys Islamic Center, a large, modest structure built in 1971 and featuring a blue-roofed minaret. Imam Selim was born in Egypt, where he studied at the prestigious Al-Azhar University before arriving in Iowa in 2012 to become the spiritual leader of one of Americas oldest Muslim communities. But instead of promoting his religions virtues, he has found himself on the defensive in this heartland state, which on Monday kicks off the voting in Americas months-long presidential nominations process. I want to practice my religion, he told AFP. I want to go to the people and explain what Islam is, not what Islam is not, because thats what we do all the time. The center was bustling with children for Sunday school. Nine classes of Arabic, Koran and Islamic studies were taking place simultaneously. Some of the youths were born into families who arrived here generations ago. Others are recent immigrants from Afghanistan, Morocco, Pakistan, South Africa and Syria. Since last months deadly attacks in San Bernardino, California, news cameras have become commonplace here.