GERMANTOWN, Md. 鈥斅燤ontgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and Council President Nancy Floreen signed a proclamation reaffirming the county’s support聽for its Muslim citizens in .
The decision to sign the proclamation came out of concern over anti-Islamic rhetoric in the wake of attacks in Paris and Brussels. Leggett told attendees at the ceremony’s news conference at聽the Islamic Society of Germantown that he wanted to make it clear 鈥渢hat acts of hatred against Muslims will not be tolerated in Montgomery County.鈥�
Speaking directly to those who practice Islam, Leggett added, 鈥淵ou are respected, and you are, in fact, valued.鈥�
Without referring to any specific event, Floreen told those assembled that Montgomery County is committed to celebrating its diversity and supporting all of its residents.
鈥淲e will not tolerate the kind of xenophobia and misbehavior that we see at the national level,鈥� she said.
CE Leggett & CP reaffirm the value & respect we have for the Muslim community & people of ALL faiths!
鈥� Montgomery County MD (@MontgomeryCoMD)
Police officials also spoke at the signing. Montgomery County Police Capt. Marc Yamada has been doing extensive community outreach and said that the Muslim community was exceptionally warm and welcoming. He joked that as a result of the invitations to so many feasts marking the end of fasting for the month of Ramadan, he鈥檇 have to go on a diet.
鈥淭his is our community,鈥� Yamada told the gathering. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not your community; it鈥檚 not my community; it鈥檚 our community, and we together need to make it better.鈥�
Ammar Najar, imam of the Islamic Society of Germantown, said the support from the community, including government officials and the police department, was welcome.
鈥淚t raises self esteem, confidence, and trust” to have the clear statement from county officials that they stand by their Muslim neighbors, he said.
Regarding the continued communications with the Montgomery County Police Department, Najar said, 鈥淭hey are determined to build that trust 鈥� and when you see a department that鈥檚 so determined to build that, you have to trust them; you have to.鈥�
The county executive鈥檚 office has estimated that there are about 12,000 Muslims in the county 鈥� roughly 1.2 percent of the county鈥檚 total population.
