Obama: ‘Islam Has Been Woven into the Fabric of Our Country Since its Founding’

BARACK OBAMA: "Here in America Islam has been woven into the fabric of our country since its founding. Generations -- [ applause ] Generations of Muslim immigrants came here and went to work as farmers and merchants and factory workers. Helped to lay railroads and build up America. The first Islamic center in new York City was founded in the 1890s. America's first mosque was in North Dakota. Muslim Americans protect our communities as police officers and firefighters and first responders and protect our nation by serving in uniform and in our intelligence communities and in homeland security and in cemeteries across our country, including at Arlington. Muslim American heroes rest in peace having given their lives in defense of all of us."