This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I think that Utah ought to offer to take in 100,000 Syrian refugees — even in the wake of so much worldwide Islamic terrorism.
Why? These people and the countries in that part of the world are so desperately in need of help. Haven't we been taught to "... clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted"?
This, of course, would require careful judgment so that no terrorists would come over. Invite over first those who are well-educated — the best and the brightest. They would have a responsibility of paving the way for future immigrants.
Ask the European Union to cover some of the resettlement costs for each refugee to come to the U.S. Allow mosques to be built, but require immigrants to sign a contract that they will not in any way engage in radical Islamic fundamentalism. If so, they would be immediately deported.
I think these people would make a tremendous contribution to Utah and to the country — culturally, economically, and socially. When successfully integrated into a modern American society, such a community could become a light to Islamic communities around the world.
Mitchell Baird
Springville