The United States was formed largely when Protestant Christians migrated from Britain in search of religious freedom. The country was founded on the ideal of universal freedom of religion, and it has championed it ever since.

I immigrated to the United States from Pakistan in search of that same freedom. The Ahmadiyya Muslim community, of which I am a member, has categorically rejected violence from the time of its inception, yet today it finds itself the victim of religious extremists. Ahmadi Muslims are now outlawed as Muslims and are liable to imprisonment for simply saying "Peace be upon you."

Until now the United States has been a safe haven for those of all faiths. But when Congressman Peter King blindly blames Muslims for the actions of a few, it seems America is becoming everything it set out not to be.

Maaiz Khan, Baltimore