Only if you maintain strict situational awareness. There are lots of police training videos that show how a man armed with a knife can quickly close in on a cop and stab him before he can draw his handgun. Try to keep something between you and any islamic or middle eastern looking person you see.
Be safe out there... muslims are dangerous... don’t allow a muslim to be pointed at you. and don’t point a muslim at anybody you don’t intend to kill. the muslim could be loaded, it often is.
Words to live by. My Wife and her Daughter are mall shoppers. I've told her time and again to stay clear of any swarthy looking men, beard or not. Yeah, I profiled. Sue me.