‘US does not suppress Islam’

US President Barack Obama has acknowledged that Sikh-Americans are often the target of threats and harassment as they are “perceived to be Muslims”.

Obama, while seeking to reassure Muslim-Americans in his historic address to minority community from the mosque in Baltimore, Maryland, termed the recent anti-Muslim rhetoric in the US poll campaign as “inexcusable”.

“Since 9/11, but more recently, since the attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, you’ve seen too often people conflating the horrific acts of terrorism with the beliefs of an entire faith. And of course, recently, we’ve heard inexcusable political rhetoric against Muslim Americans that has no place in our country,” Obama said. “No surprise, then, that threats and harassment of Muslim-Americans have surged,” he said. 

“Obama pointed out that twice last year threats were made against children at the mosque he was visiting. 

“Around the country, women wearing the hijab have been targeted. We’ve seen children bullied. We’ve seen mosques vandalised. Sikh Americans and others who are perceived to be Muslims have been targeted, as well,” Obama said, noting that Sikh-Americans are often victimised for their appearance.