In his press conference today, President Obama remarked on the increased level Islamophobia in the United States, stressing that it is important for “the overwhelming majority of the American people to hang on to that thing that is best in us — a belief in religious tolerance, clarity about who our enemies are.”
Obama acknowledged that this is a time “when the country is anxious generally,” and during tough times “fears can surface, suspicions, divisions can surface.”
He continued: “One of the things that I most admired about President Bush was that, after 9/11, him being crystal clear about the fact that we were not at war with Islam.”
“I was so proud of the country rallying around that idea,” Obama said, that “we are not going to be divided by religion, we are not going to be divided by ethnicity, we are all Americans.”
“We are one nation, under God, and we may call that God different names, but we remain one nation,” he continued, adding that “as somebody who relies heavily on my Christian faith in my job, I understand that the passions that religious faith can raise. But I’m also respectful that people of difference faiths can practice” their own religions.
“I want to make sure this country retains that sense of purpose,” said Obama.
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