Hate letters add to worries over proposed restrictions on Muslims
For Mohammed Khalil Yahiaoui and his wife, Chloe, the last few months have been a bit nerve-racking.
“When I am walking down the street, sometimes I fear that someone will attack me,” said Chloe Yahiaoui.
Still the Muslim couple is hopeful, saying fear drives hate. Especially in the case where just last week several Islamic Centers throughout California received handwritten letters that called Muslims a “vile and filthy people” and referred to President-elect Donald Trump as the “new sheriff in town.”
“I realize something like Koran can be really scary to people who don’t know anything about it and the unknown can be fearful at times,” said Chloe Yahiaoui.
Despite his rhetoric toward Muslims on the campaign trail, both Chloe and Mohammed Yahiaoui are staying optimistic toward Trump.
“I have my wife and my father in law, he love(s) this guy (Trump) and I think he is going to be good for us,” said Mohammed Yahiaoui.
Trump’s language towards the religion has gone back in forth at one point calling for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.” The president elect also talked about a database for Muslims, but political analyst Dr. David Anderson said any idea regarding religion could be a tough one to get passed lawmakers.
“Congress shall make no laws respecting the establishment of religion or the free exercise thereof,” said Anderson. “That’s the very first line of the Bill of Rights so there are obviously constitutional questions immediately if you start identifying people by religion.”
According to Anderson, any type of ban could be counterproductive, effect America’s image in the world and possibly create a precedent that allows for a slippery slope.
“If you single out one group who is the next group that will be discriminated against?” Anderson asked.
Back in Hollister, Chloe and Mohammed Yahiaoui said regardless of what happens, Islam will continue to promote peace.
“It is a peaceful religion,” said Chloe Yahiaoui. “We don’t condone violence of any type and we are supposed to accept every religion no matter where they come from.”
