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Utah Muslim who supports Trump says President-elect has inspired her to run for office

Posted at 10:14 PM, Nov 10, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-11 00:26:43-05

OGDEN, Utah -- Inside Mary Khalaf's Ogden home there is a "Make America Great Again" hat and a copy of the Quran.

"My gut told me that this was a person to trust, and I went with that, and I have since stuck with it," said Khalaf, a Muslim American.

During Donald Trump's presidential campaign the Islamic community came under fire when Trump suggested a temporary ban on all Muslims entering the country.

Khalaf said Trump's comments were just as concerning to her, as they were to millions of others, but it wasn't going to change her vote.

"If Trump has to be a little hard on me, I'll take it because this is our national security, our future of our country," Khalaf said. "He wants to keep us safe. He wants to make sure he's screening people properly who come into this country, that's very important."

Khalaf has participated in several Trump rallies, which has led to strained relationships with fellow Muslims.

"Had a Trump sign and I was around some Muslims who didn't seem very friendly, it is dangerous," Khalaf said.

The Utah Islamic Center, located in Sandy, said Khalaf is among the minority when it comes to Muslims who support Trump.

"For many Muslims, I think 11/9 felt like 9/11, that same anxiety, and not knowing what's next," said Shuaib-Ud Din of the Utah Islamic Center.

The center serves more than 2,000 Muslims. The message to them is to have faith in a higher power.

"We put our trust in God, and we know that we are all tools in the hands of God," Shuaib-Ud said. "We hope and we pray and we are optimistic that something good will come out of a Trump presidency."

Khalaf said Donald Trump has inspired her so much that she has decided to go into politics herself. She said she will be running for Ogden City Council next year.