The President’s executive action on immigration and travel is causing alarm in the local Muslim community.

  • Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn visited Islamic Society of Tampa Bay
  • Buckhorn showed solidarity with Muslims concerned about the travel order

Friday, the Islamic Society of Tampa Bay invited Mayor Bob Buckhorn to come to a prayer service to help ease concerns.

“Almost everybody in this community is scared,” said Mahmoud Elkasaby, executive director of Islamic Society of Tampa Bay Area or ISTBA.

“It is time for us to say that is not what America is,” said Mayor Buckhorn.

Buckhorn said the city stands by the Muslim community.

“The community will be with you,” Buckhorn said. “You don’t have to worry.”

The show of solidarity comes after a week of protests all over the world.

The controversy stems from President Trump’s executive order that keeps immigrants out of the U.S. from seven predominately Muslim nations. An order also bans Syrian refugees from the U.S. indefinitely.

“It is no other way to call it, it is a Muslim ban,” Elkasaby said.

Critics have called the President’s travel ban discriminatory and unconstitutional.

Supporters said the ban is needed to protect the country.