Bush Meets with American Sikh, Muslim Leaders 
(Urges Americans to be tolerant in wake of September 11 attacks)

October 2, 2001

By Wendy S. Ross

Washington File White House Correspondent

Washington; President Bush held separate meetings at the White House September 26 with American Sikh and Muslim leaders as a reminder to the American people to avoid prejudice and intolerance in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

"It's my honor to welcome citizens from all across our country here to the Roosevelt Room and the White House to discuss our common commitment to make sure that every American is treated with respect and dignity ... particularly during this time," Bush told the American Sikh leaders.

"We're all Americans, bound together by common ideas and common values," he said.

Bush noted the death of Balbir Singh Sodhi, an Indian store owner killed in Arizona shortly after the terrorist attacks because, police say, he wore a turban in keeping with his Sikh faith. The President said his administration would seek justice in Sodhi's case.

"These citizens bring their hearts with them, and I can assure them that our government will do everything we can ... to treat every human life as dear, and respect the values that made our country so different and so unique," Bush said.

The American Sikh community, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said, "has been beset with occasional violence and [the meeting with American Sikh leaders] it's another reminder about the need for Americans to honor our constitutional principles in respecting all Americans and all visitors to our country throughout this time."

In his meeting with a group from the American Muslim community, Bush said he was honored to welcome to the White House "my fellow Americans, Arab Americans, Americans who are Muslim by faith, to discuss ... what our country is going to do to make sure that everybody who is an American is respected."

He contrasted the teachings of Islam which he said are "of peace and good," with the al Qaeda organization which he said is "an organization based upon hate and evil."

He said that the outpouring of support for the United States following the September 11 terrorist attack "has come from all corners of the country, including many members of the Muslim faith. And for that I am grateful."

The American Muslim community "has been very supportive and cooperative with all efforts to win the war on terrorism, and the President is very appreciative of that," Fleischer said.

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