Key takeaways:
- Mayor Mohamed T. Khairullah of Prospect Park was denied entry to the White House for a reception hosted by President Joe Biden to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.
- The Secret Service declined to offer further details as to why Khairullah was denied entry.
- Khairullah’s denial of entry to the White House is a reminder of the discrimination and prejudice that members of the Muslim community still face in the United States.
Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed T. Khairullah was denied entry to the White House on Monday night for a reception hosted by President Joe Biden to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. Khairullah told NBC News that he received a phone call around 2 p.m. from the White House informing him that his clearance was denied by the Secret Service.
Khairullah, who is the longest-serving Muslim mayor in New Jersey, expressed his disappointment and shock at the decision. “It’s disappointing and it’s shocking that this continues to happen under our Constitution which provides that everyone is innocent unless proven guilty,” he said.
A spokesman for the Secret Service confirmed that Khairullah was denied entry but declined to offer further details. It is unclear why Khairullah was denied entry, as the Secret Service does not comment on individual security clearances.
The annual Eid celebration marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and is usually attended by members of the Muslim community from across the country. President Biden spoke at the event, highlighting the importance of religious freedom and tolerance.
Khairullah’s denial of entry to the White House is a reminder of the discrimination and prejudice that members of the Muslim community still face in the United States. Despite the progress made in recent years, there is still much work to be done to ensure that all Americans are treated equally and with respect.
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