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Remarks by President Trump in Meeting with Survivors of Religious Persecution
MS. BERHANE: My name is Helen. I'm from Eritrea. I'm a gospel singer. So I have been, for 32 months, in a metal shipping container because of my faith. But the reason I am here - all our pastors, they are still in prison in Eritrea, including the patron (inaudible). So that is my message. I am a voice for those voiceless.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
MS. BERHANE: Thank you. We pray for you.
THE PRESIDENT: In a shipping container.
MS. BERHANE: Metal shipping container for 32 months.
THE PRESIDENT: Thirty-two. Thirty-two months.
Please.
MR. SHAKOOR: (As interpreted.) I am from the Ahmadiyya Muslim community of Pakistan. In 1974, we were declared non-Muslims. Our houses and shops were looted, set on fire. I relocated. I was a salesman and then I was imprisoned for five years for selling books and fined. I've been released after three years.
We are peaceful. I can call myself a Muslim in the United States of America, but not in Pakistan - otherwise I'll be punished. We have never retaliated, and left everything to God.
AMBASSADOR BROWNBACK: I know you need to get on.
MS. WHITE: Thank you all.
MR. SHAKOOR: (As interpreted.) God bless you and give you a long life.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much.
So, you see, the world is a tough place. And we're making strides. We've made some very good strides. Andrew is a case in point - Pastor Brunson, wherever you may be. And so I appreciate it.
How has everything been for you since you got out?
PASTOR BRUNSON: Very well. I want to tell you, an Iranian woman told me today that your fighting for me - the most powerful person in the world fighting for someone who is not known at all - was an inspiration to many people. It gave hope to many people around the world, and also many young Iranians.
So thank you for that.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Andrew. I appreciate it very much.
MS. BET-TAMRAZ: Mr. President, I'm Iranian.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
MS. BET-TAMRAZ: I'm a Christian minority from Iran. My family are being persecuted in Iran. The Iranian people are with you. The majority of Iranian people -
THE PRESIDENT: What is happening? Explain what is happening in Iran.
MS. BET-TAMRAZ: My parents are pastors. They're Christian pastors.
THE PRESIDENT: Right.
MS. BET-TAMRAZ: They've been arrested - all my family: my father, my mother, and my brother. They are free on bail, awaiting the trial. Long sentences. My father was sentenced to 10 years in prison, my mother 5 years. We still don't know about my brother.
We would appreciate if you mention my family, but also Christian persecution in Iran and in holding a negotiation with (inaudible) in Iran.
THE PRESIDENT: They were in jail for what reason? Because they're pastors?
MS. BET-TAMRAZ: Christian pastors preaching the Gospel.
THE PRESIDENT: Incredible. I will.
MS. BET-TAMRAZ: Thank you very much.
THE PRESIDENT: I'm going to get the information. I will.
MS. BET-TAMRAZ: Thank you.
PASTOR GA: Vietnam.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes?
PASTOR GA: (Inaudible) no freedom religion. I want to, President, have Vietnam have -
THE PRESIDENT: Vietnam?
PASTOR GA: - freedom -
THE PRESIDENT: Vietnam?
PASTOR GA: Vietnam have freedom religion. Vietnam need to (inaudible). I thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate that. I think I understood everything.
PASTOR GA: Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much everybody. Thank you.
Q Mr. President, Congressman Green introduced articles of impeachment against you for your conduct. Any comment on the articles of impeachment, Mr. President? Do you regret your tweets that have now triggered these articles of impeachment against you?
THE PRESIDENT: I know nothing about that.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
END • 4:46 P.M. EDT
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THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
MS. BERHANE: Thank you. We pray for you.
THE PRESIDENT: In a shipping container.
MS. BERHANE: Metal shipping container for 32 months.
THE PRESIDENT: Thirty-two. Thirty-two months.
Please.
MR. SHAKOOR: (As interpreted.) I am from the Ahmadiyya Muslim community of Pakistan. In 1974, we were declared non-Muslims. Our houses and shops were looted, set on fire. I relocated. I was a salesman and then I was imprisoned for five years for selling books and fined. I've been released after three years.
We are peaceful. I can call myself a Muslim in the United States of America, but not in Pakistan - otherwise I'll be punished. We have never retaliated, and left everything to God.
AMBASSADOR BROWNBACK: I know you need to get on.
MS. WHITE: Thank you all.
MR. SHAKOOR: (As interpreted.) God bless you and give you a long life.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much.
So, you see, the world is a tough place. And we're making strides. We've made some very good strides. Andrew is a case in point - Pastor Brunson, wherever you may be. And so I appreciate it.
How has everything been for you since you got out?
PASTOR BRUNSON: Very well. I want to tell you, an Iranian woman told me today that your fighting for me - the most powerful person in the world fighting for someone who is not known at all - was an inspiration to many people. It gave hope to many people around the world, and also many young Iranians.
So thank you for that.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Andrew. I appreciate it very much.
MS. BET-TAMRAZ: Mr. President, I'm Iranian.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
MS. BET-TAMRAZ: I'm a Christian minority from Iran. My family are being persecuted in Iran. The Iranian people are with you. The majority of Iranian people -
THE PRESIDENT: What is happening? Explain what is happening in Iran.
MS. BET-TAMRAZ: My parents are pastors. They're Christian pastors.
THE PRESIDENT: Right.
MS. BET-TAMRAZ: They've been arrested - all my family: my father, my mother, and my brother. They are free on bail, awaiting the trial. Long sentences. My father was sentenced to 10 years in prison, my mother 5 years. We still don't know about my brother.
We would appreciate if you mention my family, but also Christian persecution in Iran and in holding a negotiation with (inaudible) in Iran.
THE PRESIDENT: They were in jail for what reason? Because they're pastors?
MS. BET-TAMRAZ: Christian pastors preaching the Gospel.
THE PRESIDENT: Incredible. I will.
MS. BET-TAMRAZ: Thank you very much.
THE PRESIDENT: I'm going to get the information. I will.
MS. BET-TAMRAZ: Thank you.
PASTOR GA: Vietnam.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes?
PASTOR GA: (Inaudible) no freedom religion. I want to, President, have Vietnam have -
THE PRESIDENT: Vietnam?
PASTOR GA: - freedom -
THE PRESIDENT: Vietnam?
PASTOR GA: Vietnam have freedom religion. Vietnam need to (inaudible). I thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate that. I think I understood everything.
PASTOR GA: Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much everybody. Thank you.
Q Mr. President, Congressman Green introduced articles of impeachment against you for your conduct. Any comment on the articles of impeachment, Mr. President? Do you regret your tweets that have now triggered these articles of impeachment against you?
THE PRESIDENT: I know nothing about that.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
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