Only a few miles away from where the Declaration of Independence was written and where our Constitution was signed, the mayor of historic Philadelphia held a live press conference yesterday where he participated in an Islamic prayer. He also explained to us how freedom of speech is something that is not entirely boundless and that there are limits when it comes to insulting someone or their religion.
Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia expressed his deepest sorrows and sympathy for all Muslims after someone threw a pig head at the Al-Aqsa Islamic Society
Mayor elect Jim Kenney started his comments off by saying, “As-salmu alaykum” and added another Islamic chant while Muslim leaders surrounded the politicians.
The 30-minute press conference condemned the act and praised the purity and joy of Islam while slamming Donald Trump. After expressing his opinion on tolerance and respect for others, Nutter called Donald Trump an "a**hole." While this press conference was mainly directed at Donald Trump, there is a more important issue here that the media is overlooking.
When did American government, especially government in a major U.S. city like Philadelphia, lead off a press conference with an Islamic call to prayer?
Standing behind the Seal of Philadelphia, an Islamic woman spoke for Iman Mohammad Jihada and enlightened the public on how Allah has granted everyone mercy and compassion. She told the audience that, “we all come from the same roof, the same father and mother.”
“We share everything that happens among us, life is meant to be shared.”
We even received a lesson on the Quran when she cited verse 49:13:
"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted."
I ask again, what is going on here? Why do our politicians feel the constant urge to force-feed us the Islamic religion? Never mind the Islam part, why are we leading a press conference off with prayer of any kind?
Let us take note from our founding fathers on this issue and their experiences with religious government. Thomas Jefferson warned that “in every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty.” James Madison said that, “religion and government will both exist in greater purity the less they are mixed together.”
Do we even acknowledge the words of our founding fathers anymore? Do we even acknowledge their existence or take their words of advice, especially in these hostile times?
After yesterday’s press conference in Philadelphia (our cradle of Revolution), I honestly do not know anymore.
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