Muslim former NBA player defends America against flag burning and extremism

At a time when principles are being tested and passions are running high, we must return to the core of what America stands for. It’s not just about who raises the flag, but about who upholds the values ​​of generosity, unity and a shared future. Ultimately, the question is about the soul of our nation. Who supports America’s deepest ideals, and who doesn’t?

I came to America to pursue a basketball dream, but I stayed because I found something much greater: freedom.

As a Muslim and legal immigrant, I came to the United States because freedom here is not just an idea. It’s a way of life.

I did not come to impose my faith on anyone.

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I didn’t come to burn flags or hate this nation.

I didn’t come to conquer America.

I did not come to rewrite the Constitution.

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I did not come to shame others for their beliefs or values.

I have not come to destroy what generations have built.

I did not come to exploit America’s generosity or weaken its institutions.

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I did not come to replace American values.

I came to live free, work hard, follow the law, and contribute to the country that gave me opportunity, and to respect the values ​​that have made the United States the greatest nation on earth. I’m here because of what this nation stands for. The Constitution, the rule of law, free speech, and equal justice are the foundation of America, and they are the values ​​that drew me here and keep me here.

I am here as a legal immigrant who has gone through this process because I truly believe in America’s promise of freedom and democracy. This country has given me a home. It has given me a family. It gave me a voice so that I can speak freely and without fear. It gave me an education in the classroom and in life. It gave me teammates who became brothers. It gave me a community of people from all walks of life who embraced me. It gave me a platform to stand up for human rights and defend the voiceless. It gave me a future full of hope and opportunity. It gave me a feeling of belonging, a place where I can proudly say: this is my home.

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So let me be very clear. Burning the American flag and chanting “Death to America” is unacceptable and heinous. If you hate America, if you celebrate its destruction, you do not represent freedom, faith or justice. Patriotism means supporting innocent victims, supporting law enforcement, and defending this country from its enemies. America has both the right and the responsibility to protect itself through law and order, strong security and accountability.

As someone who loves America and embraces its principles of freedom and fairness, I feel a personal responsibility to make my voice heard. As a Muslim American, I know firsthand that loving this country means being clear about the difference between peaceful Islam and the ideologies that abuse religion. Therefore, we must be clear about an important distinction: there is a difference between peaceful Islam, radicalism and political Islam.

Peaceful Islam is a personal faith. It’s about worship, family, charity and living peacefully according to the laws of the land you call home.

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I didn’t come to burn flags or hate this nation.

Radicalism is violence. It’s terrorism. It targets innocent people and must be crushed wherever it appears.

Political Islam is an ideology that uses religion to gain power, control governments and override democratic laws. That is incompatible with freedom and must be addressed head-on.

At its core, Islam teaches principles that are very clear. Faith cannot be forced. Laws and agreements must be respected. Innocent life is sacred. People of other religions should be treated with dignity. Extremism and chaos must be rejected. Those who abandon these principles are not practicing faith. They distort it.

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As a Muslim and as an American, I say this with total clarity. A true Muslim cannot be a terrorist, and a terrorist can never be a true Muslim. In Islam, killing one innocent person is equivalent to killing all of humanity. Terrorism is not resistance. It’s not justice. It’s not faith. It’s murder.

Extremists have always distorted faith to justify violence, just as other violent movements have done throughout history. But let’s be clear: they do not represent Islam; they represent hatred. As someone who cares deeply about both the humanity of people and the values ​​we hold dear, I believe we must stand together in rejecting that hatred. This is about protecting the dignity of all people and upholding the true spirit of our shared values.

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So, what’s the solution? We must clearly separate peaceful faith from extremism and reject radical ideologies that seek to override American law, while always protecting freedom of speech and peaceful protest for people of all faiths and backgrounds. Legal immigration must remain legal, with newcomers respecting the Constitution and values ​​of this country. Above all, America must lead with confidence and stand firmly for freedom, equal justice and the dignity of innocent life.

America is strong enough to be tough on terrorism while being fair to innocent people. We defeat extremism by confidently standing up for our values, not by giving in to fear or hatred.

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Political Islam is an ideology that uses religion to gain power, control governments and override democratic laws. That is incompatible with freedom and must be addressed head-on.

This country has given me so much, and I am grateful every day for the principles it stands for. Everyone who comes to the United States must share that respect for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. If anyone hates America, hates its flag, and hates what this nation stands for, then they don’t belong here.

The answer to terror is strength, guided by morality, backed by action, responsibility and unwavering determination. That’s how America wins, and that’s how freedom survives.