Local Muslims react to SCOTUS decision on Trump’s travel ban

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold President Trump’s travel ban is a devastating blow for members of the local Muslim community.

Mufti Ikram ul Haq, the resident Imam of Masjid Al-Islam in North Smithfield, says Muslims are being unfairly targeted by the president’s ban. "It’s a regretful and shameful decision," he told ABC6 News.

Haq has been comforting members of his congregation who reach out to him with ties to the banned countries. "Their fears have become realized and their families are separated as well, just as we have witnessed the families separated at the U.S.-Mexico border," said Haq.

Rhode Island’s congressional delegation echoes Haq’s concerns. "It’s wrong that [President Trump is] painting the community that way and its discrimination at its core,” said Congressman Jim Langevin (D). “There is no actionable intelligence right now that says that the whole group of people mean to put harm on us."

Haq is now leading a grassroots effort, encouraging allies to come forward. He is hoping to convince the president to overturn this Supreme Court decision.

"We love our country and we want to save our country from the path of destruction that we have been on for the past few months," Haq said.

© WLNE-TV 2018