CHICAGO – The Muslim parents of a fallen US Army captain in Iraq War appeared as special guests at the Islamic convention on Saturday, September 3, in Rosemont, Chicago, warning that the assault on the Islamic community and religion would continue after the November election.

“The burden of the scholar has gotten heavier because of the assault,” Khizr Khan told attendees of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) 53rd annual convention, Chicago Tribune reported.

“Some people believe that this assault may be over, assault on my community and assault on my religion, will be over in November. Do not be mistaken. This assault is far beyond elections.”

Khizr Khan and his wife, Ghazala, lost their son Humayun, a captain in the US Army, in 2002 in Iraq.

The couple made an  appearance at the Democratic National Convention this summer after the father blasted Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s call to ban Muslims from entering the United States.

Though standing silent beside her husband during the Democratic convention, Ghazala spoke first in ISNA event.

“I have to speak today,” Ghazala Khan joked to the Islamic Society of North America convention crowd, “I just say thank you very much for the love and respect and understanding.”

After the speech in Philadelphia, Trump attacked Ghazala Khan, questioning whether she was “allowed” to speak by her husband. But in her brief remarks, she focused on the positive response the couple had gotten.

“I haven’t imagined this. This is all from Allah. He made the path that we have to walk, and I’m grateful for all of you, and all of America, and all of the world, for the love,” she said.

“Really. I feel so close to you guys. I imagine that I have given one son and I got that many back.

In his remarks, Khizr Khan said, “The ink of the pen of the scholars is more sacred than the blood of the martyrs,” and said scholars must play a large role in shaping the reaction of the Muslim community to the “chaos” in American society.

“I want all the scholars to teach us how to deal with this mess,” Khizr Khan said.

“We want you to teach us how to condemn violence. We are looking towards you to teach us how to deal with this chaos that is generated locally. How to participate in this process, how to be the citizen of democracy.”

Remarkable Human Beings

Linda Sarsour, executive director of the Arab American Association of New York, introduced the couple, calling them “remarkable human beings.”

Sarsour said that Khizr Khan was “unapologetically Muslim” and that “we as American Muslims know exactly what the US Constitution says and we expect those who are going to be the leaders of the United States of America to abide by that Constitution.”

Sarsour also praised Ghazala Khan’s silence during the Democratic convention, something Trump raised questions about, saying that the Republican presidential candidate was blind to “the power, the grace of Ghazala Khan.”

“We do not have to scream, we do not have to speak for people to know that we as Muslim women are powerful women, that we are the foundations of our communities and our institutions and it is because of us that our communities thrive,” Sarsour said.

ISNA President Azhar Azeez said he invited the Khans to thank the family for their “supreme sacrifices.”

Jeh Johnson, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, also praised the Khans, calling them heroes during his Saturday night address.

The Khans were presented with the Outstanding Ambassadors of Islam Award during Saturday night’s session.

Ghazala Khan told the thousands of people they were all her children and that she loved them all.

“Let your voice be heard so that tomorrow, our future generation, our children, don’t have to hear this ugly political rhetoric that we have heard,” Khizr Khan said.

“Enough. It ended today.”

Johnson reassured the audience that the Department of Homeland Security was “aligned” with their interests and that the Muslim-American story was “the quintessential American story.”

“It’s frustrating to listen to those who foment fear, suspicion and intolerance,” Johnson said.

“Who don’t know the mistakes of history and are in the midst of repeating them. Have faith that the character of the American people, as a whole, is such that in the end, in the end, we will choose not to drink this brand of soiled milk.”

The ISNA convention themed, “Turning Points: Navigating Challenges, Seizing Opportunities,” opened on Friday, September 2.

It brings together both Muslim and interfaith individuals, families, businesses and non-profit organizations for a full schedule of lectures, discussions, debates and entertainment.

ISNA is the largest Muslim umbrella organization in North America.

ISNA’s annual convention dates back to 1963, when the first such event was organized by the predecessor to ISNA, the Muslim Students Association of the United States and Canada.