WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump’s reported description of African nations, El Salvador and Haiti as “***hole” countries has reignited accusations of racism, with many bringing stories of successful immigrants who proved Trump wrong.
The following is a list of some of the successful Muslim immigrants who are contributing to the prosperity of the US.
Ilhan Omar
Ilhan Omar became America’s first Somali-American lawmaker after being elected last November 2016 as a state representative from Minneapolis. In September, she was featured on the cover of Time magazine, as one of 46 influential women to break barriers.
Justice Sheila Abdus-Salaam
New York State Court of Appeals late Justice Sheila Abdus-Salaam, was the United States’ first-ever female Muslim judge. Abdus-Salaam, a native of Washington, DC, became the first African American woman appointed to the court of appeals when Cuomo, named her to the state’s highest court in 2013. She passed away in April 2016.
Ibtihaj Muhammad
Though both Ibtihaj Muhammad and her parents were born in the US, the first ever American hijab Olympian is of African origin. Muhammad made history as the first US woman to compete at the Olympic Games wearing a hijab in 2016 Olympic games.
The team saber bronze medalist in Rio, she also serves on the US State Department’s Empowering Women and Girls Through Sport Initiative.
Abdikadir Negeye
Negeye, who is with Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services, a Somali-founded community organization in Lewiston, said he was shocked to hear reports of Trump’s latest racist outburst.
“I never expected this word from a leader,” he told CNN.
“I am not ashamed of the country where I was born and I am not ashamed to call myself a Somali-American. But I am so disgusted, ashamed and disturbed that a commander in chief would use this word. Trump should learn about embracing diversity and read his history books. He and his supporters should be embarrassed.”
Mohamed Khalid
Khalid, who played defense for Lewiston’s championship squad, is now a business administration major at the University of Southern Maine.
“It’s awful to see that the President is degrading us,” Khalid told CNN.
“He says he is fighting for the American people instead of the people in Africa, but so many Americans here are from other countries.”