CV Muslim community share concerns for possible Immigration policy
The Muslim community in the desert voiced concerns about an immigration policy when President-elect Donald Trump takes offices in January. During the campaign, Trump called for a ban on Muslim immigration. He later said he would call for “extreme vetting.”
“There’s Muslims all over the world, how that makes me feel, that makes me feel like it’s a discrimination,” Mohammed Bwaneh said.
In about one month, President-elect Trump will take office as the 45th president of the United States. When that time comes, so will his political platform on immigration. A Reuters news article says a Muslim registry for immigrants coming from Muslim dominant countries is being discussed by Trump’s advisors. This leaves some people of the Muslim faith in the Coachella Valley worried.
“Like most other people fear, concern that we will be treated unfairly, not knowing what to expect especially based on the rhetoric that was used during the campaign,” said Imam Reymundo Nour from the Islamic Society of Coachella Valley.
About two years ago, two hate crimes targeted the mosque, leaving the local Muslim community shaken.
“We hope that we live in a better America. We hope that this is not the beginning of an Amercia that has not lost its racist past,” Imam Nour said.
The last hate crime at the mosque happened right after the terrorist attack in San Bernardino. Mohammed Bwaneh says it’s unfair to group Muslims together with people who carry out such attacks.
“We can not blame the Christian extremists under Christianity, we can not blame the Jewish extremist under Juda(ism)… this is an individual and they did their own individual act,” Bwaneh said.
Imam Nour said Muslims should remain vigilant but shouldn’t live in fear. but continue on with their daily lives, even if they don’t like the outcome of the election.
“We’re vigilant, we’re concerned but at the same time we accept the outcome. There’s nothing we can do about the outcome. Right now we pray and we ask for the best possible scenario,” Imam Nour said.
Imam Nour said Muslims shouldn’t be singled out. If there needs to be a registry, it should include all immigrants.
