American Flag Hijab On Megyn Kelly: Saba Ahmed, Republican Muslim, Warns Against Religious Discrimination
Decked out in an American flag hijab on Megyn Kelly’s Fox News program Wednesday, Republican Muslim Saba Ahmed expressed her concern over recent proposals to close some mosques to prevent terrorist planning.
Saba stopped by Megyn’s show in her American flag hijab to specifically discuss recent comments made by Donald Trump that mosques should be shut down for homeland security measures. Ahmed responded to Donald’s proposals, which he first shared Tuesday with Kelly’s network colleague Sean Hannity, by arguing that closing a religious institution was a violation of the freedom of Muslim Americans.
“Megyn, we go to the mosque to pray. It’s absolutely horrifying to hear that our constitutional rights of free exercise of religion are now going to be challenged just because somebody thinks there may be some attendees who disagree with your views.”
Also appearing on the segment was Katrina Pierson, a Trump campaign spokesperson. Sitting opposite Saba’s American flag hijab garb, Katrina asserted her argument to Kelly that mosques have, in fact, been the site of terrorist operation work in the past.
“We don’t have the right to plot terrorism and kill Americans. Let me give you an example from the not-too-distant past. We have the Boston bombers whose parents came in with visas, refugees, we escaped this mass surveillance program. They belonged to a mosque in Cambridge. The president and founder of that mosque is now doing 23 years in prison for planning a terrorist attack in 2004.”
Ahmed said that these cases were outliers and that she, a practicing Muslim who wears the hijab, should not be judged for the extremist actions of a few. In response to Megyn’s questions, Saba argued that she was a proud American with just as much pride in the flag and nation as the next person. Terrorism, she told Kelly, is not inextricably linked with Islam.
“You wouldn’t shut down churches just because there were one or two Christians acting badly. The mosque has nothing to do with the terrorists. Yes, there are people who misuse the religion for their perverted ideology, but that has nothing to do with my faith.”
Donald’s spokesperson retorted by saying that there was evidence that certain mosques presented a bigger risk than others, such as the one the Tsarnev brothers attended. Closing up the segment with Megyn, Ahmed argued that this was discriminatory against Muslim American citizens.
“Exactly, and also have Trump visit a local mosque in New York or Washington, D.C. Mr. Trump has business dealings all over the Middle East, he’s worked with Muslims, he knows we are good hard-working people. You cannot alienate the good, hard-working American voters.”
Trump seems unconcerned at best with keeping American flag hijab-wearing voters in his camp. His original comment, which sparked the debate on Kelly’s show, stated that even a few radicals must be kept out by taking a stand against the majority.
“We can’t take a chance. You know, if you take thousands of people, and again I hear it’s going to be many more than what you’re talking about right now. But if you take thousands of people, Sean, all you need is a couple. You know, you don’t need 25, you don’t need 100. Look at the damage done in Paris with just a few people.”
What message do you think Saba Ahmed’s American flag hijab sent on Megyn Kelly?
[Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images]
