MANCHESTER, NH – Gold Star Father Khizr Khan made a trip to South Willow Street at the Islamic Society of New Hampshire on Sunday on behalf of former Vice President Joe Biden.
Best known for his speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention against then-Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump, Khan’s stop at the Islamic Society of New Hampshire was part of his first trip to New Hampshire since beginning to speak as a surrogate for Biden in recent weeks.
At the Islamic Society of New Hampshire, Khan talked to Sunday school children and teachers about his son, Capt. Humayun Khan, and the heroism surrounding his death in 2004.
He also referenced the Koran and its exhortation for Muslims to stand as witnesses for justice, asking everyone in attendance to fight for fairness and justice in electoral politics despite any reticence over being apolitical in religious spaces.
In particular, Khan asked his fellow Muslims to speak out against Executive Order 13769, an order by Trump blocking entrance by travelers from certain Muslim-majority countries.
“Some Muslims find it offensive to talk about politics in prayer halls and mosques,” said Khan. “Not at all, this is our community center. This is our center of power. We must speak of the unfairness that occurs in society.”
Khan also asked the audience to either support Biden or ask their parents to support Biden in support of that obligation to fight for justice.
As for Muslims possibly supporting Trump, Khan hopes they can reconsider their opinion and reflect upon that particular part of the Koran.
“Donald Trump as a businessman and in the White House has been nothing but a scam artist, he had uttered the slogans to benefit himself, but he never meant any of that. But this time, people are aware of it. So I’m asking all Muslims, follow the instructions of your faith,” Khan said.
Biden first met Khan and his wife in 2016 and struck a personal bond that has persisted ever since.
Khan’s endorsement of Biden followed campaigning he did for Democratic candidates in Virginia leading up to their state elections.
Sunday’s event in Manchester was one of five across the state for Khan. He will speak on Monday at 10 a.m. at the Biden campaign’s field office on West Brook Street in Manchester as part of a Veterans and Military Families Roundtable to conclude his tour of the state.