Monday December 14, 2015
Muslim leaders in Minnesota are concerned with the rise of “Islamophobia” here at home.
The concerns come after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump made comments about banning Muslims from entering the United States.
“I'm trying to give back to my country, my America which is this country that we love," Afyare said.
However, that love seems bleak. Afyare said Islamophobia is on a rapid rise, triggered by recent terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California.
"If you kill one innocent life, then you have killed all of humankind; that is what Islam is all about," Afyare said.
On Monday, Afyare will hold a community meeting to clear up misconceptions about Muslims and the Islam religion.
Afyare said recent crimes have concerned him, including a North Dakota Somali restaurant that was recently defaced with Nazi symbols and burned down.
When asked how Trump’s recent comments about banning Muslims from entering the U.S. made the Somali community feel, Afyare said, “He is really counterproductive to what we do … It’s hurtful.”
“I remember, a couple of months ago, there was threat to the country from al-Shabaab; they said they would blow up the Mall of America," Afyare continued. “A group of us went down there to show them that they don't scare us; they can’t drive a wedge between us, the Muslim country, and our brother sisters who are citizens here."
Afyare said it’s a stand against hate, division and Islamaphobia and that he is confident change can be made.
The community meeting will be held Monday at 6 p.m. at the Islamic Civic Society of America in Minneapolis. Elected officials, law enforcement and religious leaders will be at the meeting, which is open to the public.