GERMANTOWN, Md. — Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and Council President Nancy Floreen signed a proclamation reaffirming the county’s support for its Muslim citizens in a ceremony Thursday.
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 the Islamic Society of Germantown that he wanted to make it clear “that acts of hatred against Muslims will not be tolerated in Montgomery County.”
Speaking directly to those who practice Islam, Leggett added, “You are respected, and you are, in fact, valued.”
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.
“We will not tolerate the kind of xenophobia and misbehavior that we see at the national level,” she said.
CE Leggett & CP @NancyFloreen reaffirm the value & respect we have for the Muslim community & people of ALL faiths! pic.twitter.com/TPZ52nCVHv
— Montgomery County MD (@MontgomeryCoMD) July 7, 2016
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’d have to go on a diet.
“This is our community,” Yamada told the gathering. “It’s not your community; it’s not my community; it’s our community, and we together need to make it better.”
Ammar Najar, imam of the Islamic Society of Germantown, said the support from the community, including government officials and the police department, was welcome.
“It 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, “They are determined to build that trust — and when you see a department that’s so determined to build that, you have to trust them; you have to.”
The county executive’s office has estimated that there are about 12,000 Muslims in the county — roughly 1.2 percent of the county’s total population.
