Inspiring Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad does more to combat ISIS than anything Trump proposes

Being Muslim in America—especially if you wear your Muslimness openly—is no doubt a complicated thing. Beyond the travails of practicing a minority faith, looking Muslim makes one especially vulnerable in a time when Donald Trump got where he is to a significant degree by exploiting Islamophobia.

It is no coincidence that hate crimes against Muslims in America are on the rise since Trump began running for president a year ago. Just last week, a New York City Muslim imam named Alauddin Akonjee, along with his assistant, Thara Miahand—both of whom were dressed in religious garb—were assassinated in the street. The assailant was charged with first-degree murder. The prosecutor called the act “coldblooded and premeditated.” 

Ibtihaj Muhammad has come along at just the right time.