Barack Obama To Muslim-Americans: “Thank You”

As the POTUS’ term comes to a close, Barack Obama is still working with the zeal of a first-term president as he continues to push his administration’s agenda. On Wednesday (February 3) Obama visited a Baltimore American mosque to offer up a few kind words and to also condemn anti-Muslim bigotry.

“The first thing I want to say is two words that Muslim Americans don’t hear often enough,” Obama said. “Thank you. Thank you for serving your community. Thank you for lifting up the lives of your neighbors and for helping keep us strong and united as one American family.”

Visiting the Islamic Society of Baltimore, Obama, in a not-so-veiled attempt, criticized Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric, which includes conducting surveillance on mosques and banning Muslims from entering into the country, and he also fervidly denounced the threat against America-Muslims last year following the attacks in San Bernardino, Calif.

“We’ve seen children bullied, we’ve seen mosques vandalized,” the president said. “It’s not who we are. We’re one American family. And when any part of out family begins to feel separate or second class or targeted, it tears at the very fabric of our nation.”

POTUS later spoke privately with 12 Muslim-American leaders, which included students, activists, Quran scholars and doctors.

Watch the president’s full speech below.