President Obama is urging Americans to “reject a politics” that seeks to create divisions along religious lines.
In a presidential proclamation Friday, declaring Jan. 16 Religious Freedom Day — an annual designation — Obama explained that the federal government does not favor one religion over any others.
“As they built this country, our founders understood that religion helps strengthen our nation when it is not an extension of the state,” Obama wrote. “And because our government does not sponsor a religion — nor pressure anyone to practice a particular faith or any faith at all — we have a culture that aims to ensure people of all backgrounds and beliefs can freely and proudly worship without fear or coercion.”
“We must remember that when any religious group is targeted, we all have a responsibility to speak up,” Obama added.
He doesn’t mention anyone by name, but the remark follows a contentious presidential campaign during which the Republican nominee, President-elect Trump, called for ban on all Muslims entering the U.S. and seemed open to a Muslim registry.
“At times when some try to divide us along religious lines, it is imperative that we recall the common humanity we share — and reject a politics that seeks to manipulate, prejudice, or bias, and that targets people because of religion,” Obama wrote. “Part of being American means guarding against bigotry and speaking out on behalf of others, no matter their background or belief — whether they are wearing a hijab or a baseball cap, a yarmulke or a cowboy hat.'”
While Obama has spoken out repeatedly of the importance of religious freedom during his time in the White House, some critics have accused Obama of downplaying certain religious holidays in the process — Christmas in particular.
Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski said in December that with Trump entering office on Jan. 20, “You can say again, ‘Merry Christmas.'” During his campaign, Trump said that when he becomes president, political correctness when it comes to religion will be a thing of the past.
“I’m a good Christian,” Trump said in October, according to CNN. “If I become president, we’re gonna be saying Merry Christmas at every store … You can leave happy holidays at the corner.”
