Mitt Romney praises diversity, faith and fairness in visit to Utah Islamic Center

Sandy • During a visit Friday to the Utah Islamic Center, Senate candidate Mitt Romney noted that the United States is composed of individuals from different lands, of different ethnicities and with different backgrounds.

A diverse nation must be united to be successful, Romney said, and that unity can be found in a conviction for the principles the country was founded on — life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

"In the eyes of God and in the eyes of government, all people are equal,” Romney said. “There’s nothing that brings greater joy than our relationship with our heavenly creator, our relationship with our spouse and our children, and our ability to create opportunity for future generations.”

Romney offered his remarks at the Sandy mosque before participating in a brief question-and-answer session with members of the congregation. He was then presented with a copy of the Quran — in English — and a bouquet of flowers before observing the mosque’s afternoon prayer service.

“I don’t know how to hold these,” Romney said while cradling the bouquet in his left arm. “My wife knows better than I do.”

The town hall-style meeting was intended to acquaint congregants with Romney, the state’s Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. Imam Shuaib Din said the Utah Islamic Center routinely hosts candidates of both major political parties to help the state’s Muslim community fulfill its civic responsibilities.

“We provide a platform for Democrats and Republicans to come so the congregation can be more aware of who they’re voting for,” Din said. “We just screened to make sure there were no duplicate questions. There was no question that was off-limits.”

While introducing Romney, Din remarked that there are individuals in public office or seeking public office who lack a strong moral compass. But Romney, Din said, is a public servant who shares many of the values of the Muslim community.

“A person with strong moral values in leadership brings the blessings of Allah,” he said.

Congregants quizzed Romney about his positions on topics like immigration, gun control, health care and the frequently divisive rhetoric of U.S. politics. He responded with what are now well-practiced answers about states being better positioned to impose gun policies than the federal government and the need for a transparent, merit-based immigration system coupled with a physical barrier on the United States' southern border.

“Washington, by and large, given our structure, has a very hard time making changes of any kind with regards to school safety or safety in our streets,” Romney said.

The candidate was also asked about his position on Proposition 4, a question on the Utah ballot that would create an independent redistricting panel if approved by voters.

He said he doubts the proposition would make a significant difference in the state’s voting maps, since Utah’s Legislature would maintain the final vote on redrawn districts. But he added that he is in favor of minimizing the effect of partisan and political considerations in the redistricting process.

“That’s something which I support, but not with a great deal of enthusiasm,” Romney said. “I would encourage, generally, the drawing of districts based upon something other than the politics of the politicians doing the drawing.”

Recent polling by The Salt Lake Tribune and Hinckley Institute of Politics shows Romney with a commanding lead heading into the final days of the election cycle. On Friday, his Democratic opponent, Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson, was walking the streets of Salt Lake City knocking doors and encouraging voters to cast their ballots.

One of those doors was at the home of Brad Overton, a Salt Lake City native and Democratic voter who said he had cast his ballot for Wilson earlier that same day.

Overton said he’s particularly concerned about medical marijuana and air quality this year, and that he ultimately cast a vote for all of the Democratic candidates on his ballot.

“Good luck,” he told Wilson. “I hope everyone makes the same exact choice that I did.”

Wilson told Overton and other residents that whether or not she wins the Senate seat, she’ll be an elected member of government and hopes to continue connecting with the people of Utah.

She told The Tribune that she’s invested in the communities where she’s knocked on doors and participated in events, and that it’s been a great experience to engage with residents about the issues that matter to them.

“I find it refreshing and interesting and an opportunity when I’m out,” Wilson said, “and I’m surprised how much I enjoy it, actually.”

Romney, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said he had the opportunity to meet with various Muslim leaders during his two presidential campaigns. But Friday’s visit to the Utah Islamic Center, he said, was the first occasion he’s had to participate in worship services at a mosque.

The experience illustrated the devotion of Muslims to their belief in God, he said, and the fellowship of being a member in the community of faith.

“The great religions of the world share a conviction that we are the children of the same God,” Romney said, “and as such have a responsibility to one another to treat each other with respect and dignity and to work for the preservation of our freedoms.”