Wisconsin Muslims Express Fear Over Trump Presidency

Wisconsin Muslims are weighing in on the election of Donald Trump as the next president of the United States. Some Muslim leaders are concerned about what his election means for them and their families.

Islamic Center of the Twin Ports President Ibrahim Al-Qudah said a Trump presidency troubles him based on things the president-elect said throughout the campaign, including a call to ban all Muslims from entering the U.S.

“If he would actually follow up on that, in my opinion, all of those things are un-American – a lot of them are unconstitutional,” Al-Qudah said.

When Al-Qudah first moved to the U.S. from Jordan, he saw America as the land of the free – a “dreamland.”

“It’s my responsibility just like how I’m enjoying this American dream is to fight for it,” he said. “And I’m going to fight for this American dream by the dialogue that we have going on with everyone else in the community.”

He added that all Americans should make an effort to come together and bridge the divide.

“I certainly hope that he will pull people together rather than what we’ve witnessed throughout the course of his campaign, particularly I would like to see some reassurance from him to every single one of us,” he said.

Al-Qudah said Trump’s election leaves many unanswered questions, and he’s fearful for his children’s future.

“He made it sound acceptable to be divisive. It’s acceptable to be criticizing of other minorities,” he said.

However, Al-Qudah said Trump should be given a chance to lead. He believes Trump’s election is fueled by people’s discontent with government. Al-Qudah doesn’t believe all those who voted for Trump agree with everything he’s said during the campaign. Last year, Trump called for a complete ban on all Muslims entering the U.S. He later said his call for a ban has morphed into “extreme vetting” of certain nations.