© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Revised Travel Ban Still Problematic, Says One Connecticut Muslim Leader

Twitter
Wajid Danish Ahmed.

President Trump's revised executive order makes several changes to the earlier version that was rejected by the courts. It takes Iraq off the list, but some Muslims in Connecticut said it has the same underlying theme.

"To me, it seems like it's pretty much the same exact travel ban, minus one country," said Wajid Danish Ahmed, director of Connecticut’s Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

"National security is paramount, and I believe that it's certainly something that we need to focus on," he said. "But this new executive order has the same flaws. It incites fear and religious discrimination, and we shouldn’t be pointing out and singling out a specific religion or ethnicity. Unless this administration changes that tone, I think it's pretty much the same travel ban as we had earlier."

The newest executive order was announced Monday,  the same day that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community received The Spirit of Meriden award for positive contributions to the city.

Back in 2015, just after the Paris terror attacks, their Meriden mosque was the target of a shooting by a neighbor. No one was hurt.

After the shooter pleaded guilty to a hate crime, he was invited into the mosque where he apologized, and was told by members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Commuity that he was forgiven.

Diane Orson is a special correspondent with Connecticut Public. She is a longtime reporter and contributor to National Public Radio. Her stories have been heard on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Weekend Edition and Here And Now. Diane spent seven years as CT Public Radio's local host for Morning Edition.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content