US does not suppress Islam: Obama

And American Muslims are better positioned than anybody to show that it is possible to be faithful to Islam and to be part of a pluralistic society.

HORSLEY: Obama said repeatedly America's religious diversity is a source of strength. "Inexcusable political rhetoric against Muslims that has no place in our country", Obama said.

"Since 9/11, but more recently since the attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, you have seen too often people conflating the horrific acts of terrorism with the beliefs of an entire faith", he said.

"Sikh Americans and others who are perceived to be Muslims have been targeted, as well", Obama said, noting that Sikh-Americans are often victimised for their appearance.

Trump, the Republican front-runner, called for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States after authorities described a California couple who killed 14 people last December as radicalized Muslims inspired by Islamic State militants.

Obama, declaring that attacks on Islam were an attack on all religions, decried the "inexcusable political rhetoric" against Muslims from Donald Trump and other Republican presidential candidates. "We shouldn't play into terrorist propaganda". His 40-minute speech sought to portray Muslims as being an integral part of the fabric of the nation, and to call upon Americans to speak more positively of the Islamic religion.

HORSLEY: Obama also addressed young Muslims directly, saying they don't have to choose between their country and their faith. "As we protect our country from terrorism, we should not reinforce the ideas and the rhetoric of the terrorists themselves". "I don't know, maybe he feels comfortable there", Trump told Fox News' Greta Van Susteren.

"I'm exhausted of being divided against each other for political reasons like this president's done", Rubio said, according to The Guardian. "Always pitting people against each other", Rubio alleged. "You're Muslim and American". Of course there's going to be discrimination in America of every kind. "But the bigger issue is radical Islam", Rubio said. The elder Bush, after all, visited a mosque shortly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with a message pretty similar to Obama's. "I don't have much thought". He also pointed out that Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Virginia statute for religious freedom that the "Mohammedan" should have his faith protected in the United States.

"And let me be very clear".

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The same day President Obama visited a mosque for the first time as president, the Pew Research Center showed why many Americans likely objected to his even setting foot there.

Obama also urged Christians to defend Muslim-Americans when their religion was under attack.

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) thanked Obama for his commitment to combat religious bigotry.