House Democrats seek to counter anti-Muslim rhetoric

WASHINGTON – Nine-year-old Ahmad Alkhalaf smiles easily as he talks in Arabic about his dreams. He wants to go to school and grow up to be a doctor – to help others. But, before that he wants Americans to know him and also learn about other Syrian children and the suffering many have had to endure through an ongoing civil war.

“I lost both of my arms. I lost three siblings. I lost my grandparents. I want you to know about all of us,” he said. “There are people inside Syria - children in Syria - they have no food, they have no water, they have no heat - nothing to keep them warm.”

Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Salem, invited Ahmad to be his guest Tuesday night for President Obama’s final State of the Union Address. Similarly, Reps. James McGovern, D-Worcester, and Katherine Clark, D-Melrose, invited Muslim Americans as their guests as they sought to support religious tolerance and compassion across the country.

“I’m very proud to welcome Ahmad. He helps put a human face to the refugee crisis and to make Americans realize that beneath all the rhetoric and the Presidential debates and everywhere else these are real people who deserve a chance at peace and freedom,” Moulton said. “Ahmad has gone through more and done more in nine years that many people will do in a lifetime. So, I am proud to know him.”

President Obama hinted at the issue during his address, according to prepared remarks.

“The future we want – opportunity and security for our families; a rising standard of living and a sustainable, peaceful planet for our kids – all that is within our reach. But it will only happen if we work together. It will only happen if we can have rational, constructive debates,” he said.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest explained earlier Tuesday that the nation is stronger when it lives up to values of inclusion.

“That approach to running the country and living in a society has served the United States quite well for generations. Drawing on those values as we move forward, and not being tempted to turn inward and to turn against one another, will be critical to the long term success of our country,” he said.

Gov. Nikki Haley, R-S.C., the daughter of Indian immigrants, sounded a similar note in the GOP response to the State of the Union.

“Today, we live in a time of threats like few others in recent memory. During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices. We must resist that temptation. No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country,” she said.

Ahmad now lives with his father, Dirgam Alkhalaf, in Sharon, Mass., and is getting medical treatment from Boston Children’s Hospital. His mother and four surviving siblings are living in a refugee camp in Turkey. Nadia Alawa, founder of the humanitarian group NuDay Syria, sponsored the boy two years ago as a medical refugee. The group is also trying to raise money to pay for two prosthetic arms for Ahmad.

Alawa explained that the family had left their home in the countryside of Aleppo as they feared the approach of ISIS forces to their village. They ended up at a refugee camp only to be bombed by Syrian forces that killed three siblings and severely injured Ahmad.

While he is able to speak to his mother by phone, Ahmad says he misses her and worries for her.

“Of course I miss my mother so much. My mother is always crying. She lost her children. And, what did those children do? My siblings, they didn’t do anything. They were innocent. They didn’t do anything to the Syrian government,” Ahmad said.

McGovern invited Asima Silva, a Muslim community leader from Holden, Mass., as his guest to the State of the Union address as a counter to those politicians promoting intolerance and fear.

"Millions of Americans are repulsed by the attempts of some to drive a wedge in our society. This is a good way to stand up to that intolerance and remind people that Muslims are great contributors to our community," McGovern said.

Silva is a software engineer at IBM, co-founded EnjoinGood.org to strengthen communication between the local Muslim community and other area religious institutions, and serves on the board of the Wachussett Regional School District. She said she was honored to be able to attend the address and hopes that it will encourage and motivate Muslims across the United States to become active in their communities.

Clark invited Weston's Nazda Alam as her guest to the State of the Union to counter political intolerance.

“It is heartbreaking to hear Republican candidates running for President dividing the country over religious beliefs,” she said. “Nazda reflect the very best of American values.”

Alam came to the United States in 1982 from Bangladesh as a college student. After graduating, she and her husband decided to remain here. They moved to New England and raised two children – now grown.

“I feel I’m part of the fabric of this land,” Alam said.