A State of the Union Embrace of American Muslims and Religious Diversity

At least 20 members of the House and Senate have invited Muslim Americans to attend the speech, as has the White House.



US President Barack Obama speaks to the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, December 6, 2015. (Reuters / Saul Loeb / Pool)

By John NicholsTwitter
Yesterday 5:30 pm

Members of Congress get a chance each year to invite a guest to attend the State of the Union address, and a number of US House members are using their invitations to make a vital point about religious pluralism.

In so doing, they are focusing attention on what is likely to be a vital part of President Obama’s message.

Obama has spoken a great deal in recent months about the importance of what the White House refers to as “our traditions of religious inclusion, freedom and cooperation among those with different beliefs”—and he is expected to make the point again during Tuesday night’s address.

Among those cheering him on will be Samba Baldeh, a City Council member from Madison, Wisconsin.

http://www.thenation.com/article/a-state-of-the-union-embrace-of-american-muslims-and-religious-diversity/