Obama Visits U.S. Mosque, Says Impression Of Muslims Distorted

CATONSVILLE, Md. (WJZ) -- Welcoming President Obama back to Maryland. Wednesday he made his second visit to the Baltimore area in less than a week, and his first visit ever as president to a U.S. mosque.

Mike Hellgren with details on the president's remarks.

The president said an attack on one religion is an attack on all and urged people not to be bystanders to bigotry.

At the president's historic visit to the Islamic Society of Baltimore, his first to a U.S. mosque while in office, Mr. Obama condemned attacks on Muslims.

"We've seen children bullied, we've seen mosques vandalized," President Obama said.

He stressed the stark differences between Islam and the extremist terrorist acts that have shaken the world.

"As Muslim Americans you also have another concern, and that is your entire community so often is targeted or blamed for the violent acts of the very few," the president said.

WATCH: Obama Arrives In Baltimore County For First U.S. Mosque Visit

Only a handful of demonstrators rallied outside the mosque.

Before his speech, Mr. Obama met with 12 faith leaders in private. Later, a UMBC student introduced the president and described the discrimination she faced firsthand.

"Personally, this visit by our president is an affirmation to all Muslims--we are just as American as any other," she said.

One reason for the president's landmark address is vitriol on the campaign trail against Muslims.

"Of course recently we've heard inexcusable political rhetoric against Muslim Americans that has no place in our country. No surprise then that threats and harassment of Muslim Americans have surged," President Obama said. "Here at this mosque, twice last year, threats were made against your children."

This is not the only mosque that has faced threats over the past year in Baltimore County.

The president's main message to the audience of 200 on Wednesday--tolerance.