THE MAYOR OF a city in the US has apologised to the Muslim community for comments made on his Facebook account “in a moment of anger”.
In the original comment, Bruce Hagen called President Barack Obama a Muslim, adding that he is destroying US democracy.
Protests and international condemnation of the mayor of Superior in Wisconsin followed.
In a letter to a local newspaper, the Superior Telegram, he apologised to Muslims but not to the President.
He used the opportunity to criticise Obama further.
“I apologise to the Muslim community for being insensitive. My comment was intended to shed light on the resistance of President Obama, and lack of leadership qualities to stand up for America against the world’s enemies,” he wrote.
Hagen had cut a holiday short to return to Superior for a meeting with leaders of the Muslim community.
To the citizens of Superior and the Muslim community:
Recent days have brought considerable responses to my Facebook post regarding our president. The anger, pain and extremely foul comments are duly noted as are the substantial numbers of positive messages received.
I have zero ill will, disrespect or animosity toward the Muslim religion.
Being a strong, God-loving Christian, I adhere to the teachings of Christianity in accepting and encouraging faith and all respective beliefs.
Like most, my very daily existence evolve [sic] around basic beliefs and principles: Family, God and the preservation of the freedoms set forth, and guaranteed by, the Constitution of the United States of America.
My reference to the president being a Muslim was indeed a poor choice of words in a moment of anger. My fear is we are a nation of all walks of life, religious beliefs, differing political persuasions and hard-working citizens that are standing by watching this country being denigrated by all of Washington D.C.
I apologise to the Muslim community for being insensitive. My comment was intended to shed light on the resistance of President Obama, and lack of leadership qualities to stand up for America against the world’s enemies.
The Muslim communities across the world do not embrace what is occurring by these terrorists, and I was wrong to include them in my comment.
I ask that you accept my apologies and as we go forward — together — to make Superior a better community, I pledge to you that I will continue to be mindful and respectful of all our citizens.
I have shown Superior’s citizens my dedication to our town for 16-plus years I have served as mayor. I will continue to do so.
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