Trump’s Ban Has Brought Us Together

by Anique Tahir 

As an American Muslim, this past year has filled my head with doubt and questions. Will my family face bigotry based merely on the faith we should otherwise have the freedom to follow? How can I show my fellow Americans that Islam is a religion of peace and solidarity? This past week, President Trump has helped answer and clear some of the doubt and questions that shrouded my mind. It has been truly humbling to witness the outpouring of support shown by my fellow Americans following the recent executive order signed by Mr. Trump. People of all religions, races, and backgrounds have come together and have actively spoken in support of all Muslims in this great country. The recent turbulence and the heartening response from many Americans has confirmed the resolve of many Muslims like myself to educate misinformed citizens of the peaceful nature of Islam. The Meet a Muslim and The Coffee, Cake, and Islam campaigns being conducted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community nationwide is one such platform for this task as it helps eradicate islamophobia by encouraging an open dialogue between non-Muslim residents and local Muslim communities.  Educating our community is our tool to combat bigotry and truly show that we all stand united.