Some in the Muslim community in Birmingham say they’re shocked by Governor Robert Bentley’s announcement he would oppose Syrian refugees settling in the state. Authorities believe at least one suspect in Friday’s terror attacks in Paris came to France among the throngs of refugees fleeing fighting in Syria.
Ashfaq Taufique is president of the Birmingham Islamic Society. He’s saddened by the governor’s comments and says they’re not what America is about.
“We’ve got the Statue of Liberty which says we welcome the people from [the] outside world.”
Taufique is originally from Pakistan but has been in the U.S. since 1975.
The self-described Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks. Taufique says the vast majority of Muslims condemn the group’s actions. Still he says it’s frustrating some people paint the entire faith with the same brush.
Randall Law is a terrorism expert at Birmingham-Southern College. He doesn’t see the governor’s announcement as having much effect on Alabamians’ safety.
“I think this move is about 90 percent posturing and pandering, about 10 percent policy.”
Since we don’t have checks at state borders, Law says someone could still enter the country and travel to Alabama. At least ten other governors have made similar announcements to Bentley’s. Law points out they’re all Republicans.