Pious Ali

Yesterday, our nation suffered yet another act of terror, a hateful attack on our Muslim brothers and sisters at the Islamic Center of San Diego that claimed three lives.

First and foremost, my heart goes out to the families of the victims and the entire San Diego Muslim community.

You are in our prayers. May God grant the deceased eternal peace, and may Allah have mercy on their souls.

May He grant their loved ones the strength and comfort to endure this unbearable loss. You are not alone in your grief. We stand with you.

I also want to express my deep gratitude to the first responders who answered the call and arrived on time.

Your courage and swift action in the face of such tragedy does not go unnoticed. Thank you.

I do not use the word “terror” lightly. I use it because that is exactly what it was.

And we must be honest with ourselves about where this comes from. This kind of violence does not emerge from a vacuum.

It is fed by anti-Muslim rhetoric coming from political leaders at the national, state, and local levels. Words have consequences. When those in power normalize fear and suspicion of entire communities, we should not be surprised when that fear turns deadly.

Today it is Muslims and immigrants. Today it is the so-called “others.”

But if we do not act, tomorrow it will be another group and that group may very well include someone you know, someone you love, or a community you are part of.

This is a moment that calls on all of us, ordinary Americans, to turn toward one another rather than away. To have real conversations with our neighbors. To reject the rhetoric that strips people of their humanity before someone else decides to strip them of their lives.

If we come together across our communities and raise our voices against hate, we have a chance.

If we do not, we will remain vulnerable, all of us, for a long time to come.

We must do better. America must do better.

Self Love

The president himself called into the ceremony to thank the religious leader and guests in attendance

I want to thank Governor Janet Mills for her willingness to step forward once again in service to the people of Maine and for her continued leadership as Governor. Public service at this level requires commitment, courage, and care for our state.

As this Senate race moves forward, it is time for all of us who believe in strong public education, affordable housing, economic opportunity, and a more inclusive democracy to come together and make sure Graham Platner is elected as our next United States Senator

This used to happen elsewhere not here…

Trump to feature on limited number of commemorative US passports The passports will be released as part of the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence.