Hundreds Attend "Meet Your Muslim Neighbor" Rally in South Carolina
The rally was one of dozens happening across the US, protesting President Donald Trump's executive order suspending refugees and prohibiting citizens of seven countries with any type of visa.
"It's not only Muslims who are afraid. What's at stake is the character, the essence of our country. It's about all of us and who we are and what we stand for," Greenville event organizer Akan Malici said. "The idea of America is not always the reality of America. Native Americans knows this, African Americans know this, Hispanics know this, Jews know this, Catholics know this, Muslims know this."
Malici has lived in America for more than 20 years after emigrating from Europe.
"I want us all to understand that democracy and its enshrined values are not an accomplishment, they're a process," Malici said. "We need to keep working at the process."
US Air Force veteran Nedal Mefleh also held a sign during the rally which read, "I'm a refugee. Love me tender, love me sweet. Not in an executive order or tweet."
Mefleh said he feels the Islamic religion as a whole is persecuted when a radical commits a terrorist act.
"A Muslim is a human being like everyone else. You’re going to find bad people everywhere you go, in Christianity, Muslim, Judaism. Any place, you’re going to find bad people," Mefleh said. "It seems like they highlight the Muslim, the entire Islamic religion. When some stupid guy or somebody derails and does something bad, they all have to persecute the whole Islamic religion."
Both men were supported by other Muslims and Upstate residents wanting to support the Muslim community.
"I think we're neighbors. Refugees and diversity make our community a stronger place," rally attendee Denise Long said. "We're going to resist policies that oppress and scare people. We want to be a part of the community and embrace all parts of our community."
Source: wff4.com
