Muslim former NBA player defends America against flag burning and extremism

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

I went to America to follow a basketball dream, but I stayed because I found something much bigger: freedom.

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

I’m not here to impose my beliefs on anyone.

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I did not come to burn flags or hate this nation.

I did not come to conquer America.

I’m not here to rewrite the Constitution.

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I’m not here to shame others for their beliefs or values.

I have not come to destroy what generations have built.

I am not here to exploit America’s generosity or weaken its institutions.

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I am not here to replace American values.

I am here to live free, work hard, obey the law, contribute to the country that gave me opportunity, and respect the values ​​that make the United States of America the greatest nation on earth. I am here because of the values ​​of this nation. The Constitution, the rule of law, freedom of speech, and equal justice are the foundation of America, and these are the values ​​that drew me here and kept me here.

Former NBA star Enes Kanter Freedom speaks during a panel discussion at the FreedomFest conference in Memphis, Tenn., on Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Joseph A. Wulfsohn/Fox News Digital)

I am here as a legal immigrant going through this process because I truly believe in America’s promise of freedom and democracy. This country gave me a home. It gave me a family. He gave me a voice to speak freely without fear. It gave me an education in the classroom and in life. It gave me teammates who became brothers. It has given me a community of welcoming people from all walks of life. It gave me a platform where I could advocate for human rights and advocate for the voiceless. He gave me a future full of hope and opportunity. It gave me a sense of belonging, a place I could proudly call home.

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So let me be very clear. Burning the American flag and chanting “Death to America” ​​is unacceptable and terrible. If you hate America and celebrate its destruction, you do not represent freedom, faith, or justice. Patriotism means standing up for innocent victims, supporting law enforcement, and defending this country against its enemies. America has 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 justice, I feel a personal responsibility to speak out. As a Muslim American, I know firsthand that loving this country means being clear about the difference between peaceful Islam and 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 belief. It’s about worship, family, charity, and living peacefully under the laws of the country you call home.

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I did not come to burn flags or hate this nation.

Radicalism is violence. This is terrorism. He targets innocent people and must be crushed wherever he appears.

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

At its core, Islam teaches very clear principles. 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 the faith. They are distorting this.

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As a Muslim and an American, I say this openly. 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 humanity. Terrorism is not resistance. This is not justice. This is not belief. This is murder.

Extremists have always distorted beliefs 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 about both people’s humanity and the values ​​we hold dear, I believe that we must reject this hatred together. It is about protecting the dignity of all people and upholding the true spirit of our shared values.

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So what is the solution? We must clearly distinguish peaceful faith from extremism and reject radical ideologies that seek to override American laws, while always protecting the freedom of expression and peaceful protest of people of all faiths and backgrounds. Legal immigration must remain legal, with newcomers respecting the Constitution and the values ​​of this country. Above all, America must lead with confidence, standing firm in defense of freedom, equal justice, and the dignity of innocent life.

America is strong enough to be both tough on terrorism and fair to innocent people. We defeat extremism not by surrendering to fear or hatred, but by standing confidently behind our values.

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

This country has given me so much, and I am grateful every day for the principles it represents. All who come to the United States must share respect for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. If someone hates America, hates its flag, and hates what this nation stands for, that person does not belong here.

The response to terrorism is morality-driven force, backed by action, responsibility and unwavering determination. This is how America wins and this is how freedom survives.