Muslim mayor Mohamed T. Khairullah of Prospect Park, New Jersey was denied entry to the White House on Monday for a belated Eid al-Fitr celebration with President Joe Biden. Khairulla received a call from the Secret Service shortly before he was set to arrive, informing him that they had not cleared him to enter the event.
It's unclear why the Secret Service blocked the mayor's entry, and his ordeal sparked backlash online as Muslim advocacy groups condemned the snub. CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut has urged the Biden administration to suspend the FBI's dissemination of two of its watchlists, which are almost entirely composed of Muslim names.
Longtime Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah was invited by President Biden himself to attend a White House celebration marking Islam’s end of holy month Ramadan. However, when he reached JFK International Airport in New York City for his flight to Washington D.C., he was detained for nearly three hours by U.S. Secret Service agents and eventually told that he would not be allowed access due to his name being mistakenly placed on an FBI list.
The Secret Service confirmed that Mayor Khairullah had been denied entry but did not provide further details regarding their decision.
President Joe Biden and Imam Makhdoom Zia were among guests at this prestigious event celebrating Eid al-Fitr – signifying unity within American society during these divisive times.
Khairulla expressed disappointment over this incident and stated that it could indicate ongoing discrimination against Muslims by federal agencies like the FBI or Homeland Security Department under newly elected President Joe Biden’s administration. He also noted previous issues with travel restrictions caused by similar circumstances where authorities failed to adequately explain their actions against him or other innocent people who happened upon such lists without just cause: "There is an opportunity here for them (the government)to do what is right."
Meanwhile, CAIR-N.J. Executive Director Selaedin Maksut has called on the President to reinstate Mayor Khairullah’s invitation and issue an official apology for this unfortunate event; he also insists that Biden disband the "secret watchlist" which disproportionately targets Muslim individuals.
As the longest-serving Muslim mayor in New Jersey, Mohamed T. Khairullah's experience raises concerns about racial profiling within law enforcement agencies at a time when unity should be prioritized over division – especially as we come together in celebration of cultural diversity during events like Eid al-Fitr.