As a person of faith, I believe that God created myriad nations so that we might know each other, support each other, and thrive together. As an American, I strive daily to exemplify the guiding principles upon which our great nation was founded — all men and women are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The racist, sexist, and xenophobic language from this year’s Republican presidential nominee are contrary to that American dream. His incendiary rhetoric about building walls instead of bridges might compel some of us to believe that the contributions of millions of immigrants are not valid and should be overlooked.
I beg to differ.
We need a president for every American, no matter their race, religion, color, or creed. Our nation needs a leader who understands the values and the challenges of all of it citizens — including Muslims like myself. Our country needs a president who will stand for inclusion and religious freedom and denounce fear-mongering and demagoguery.
Like so many immigrant families before them, Ghazala and Khizr Khan came to this country to make a better life, but also to make meaningful contributions that move our nation forward. At the Democratic National Convention, the couple spoke passionately about their biggest investment and their greatest sacrifice, their son. Captain Humayun Khan, a soldier in the United States Army, died in Iraq while protecting his fellow soldiers from a car bomb in 2004.
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