Rep. Peter King held the first of his widely publicized hearings today regarding "[the] radicalization of American Muslims.” A variety of witnesses were on hand, including 2 Minnesota men whose sons "became radical Muslims" and killed several servicemen, the president of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, and Sheriff Leroy Baca of LA County. Representatives from both parties spoke passionately and at length.
It was devastating to hear several of the ill-informed and short sighted representative speak regarding Muslim "radicalization". These are the elected officials that represent supposed to represent us and our concerns. Rep. Candice Miller (R-Michigan) related an incident at the Department of Motor Vehicles where several Muslim women who wear niqab refused to remove the head dress for a driver's license photo. "Equal rights for all and special rights for no one" she stated. Firstly, I'm not sure what this story had anything to do with extremist Islam. Secondly, equal rights for whom? Where is my right to freedom of religion? My right to assemble with my fellow brothers and sisters in a mosque without the presence of the FBI?
Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, president of AIFD, spoke "on behalf of Muslims". He reported that 25% of Muslim-Americans between 15-29 years old reportedly felt "there is some justification for suicide bombing". That's 1 in every 4 Muslim young adults. Where did he do this poll? At al-Queda headquarters? Dr. Jasser continued by tell the committee what they wanted to hear. He lambasted the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), America's largest Muslim advocacy group, stating that they are "built on the separation of America and Islam" and proponents of "political Islam". Prior to the hearing, Rep. King stated that "I don't think the leadership right now -- groups such as CAIR -- are doing an adequate job. I think in some ways doing a very poor job of representing the Muslim-American community." CAIR was not invited to attend the hearing.
Several Representatives (mostly Democrats) spoke against the hearings, stating that they were "..taking too narrow a view of the scope of terrorism threats against the United States..." and that hearings should be called to address radicalization of other religious groups, such as Christians and Jews.
This hearing comes at a time of increasing Islamophobia in the United States. Rep. King has just the ratchetted up heat in this tense stand off.
Video of the hearing is available at c-span.org
This while thing is ridiculous and this indeed makes for a great theater. Would have been more credible with more credible Muslim groups other than this Dr. M who doesn't like to use his first name!
ReplyDeleteThe choice of witnesses was rather bizarre and made it clear that this hearing was more "congressional theater" than a fact-finding meeting. No imaams, FBI, CIA, CAIR, or other Muslim groups were invited to participate.
ReplyDeleteWhile there were alot of people present that voiced how ridiculous this whole hearing was it was still frustrating to hear the comments of many others. It's ridiculous to suggest that if any American considers themselves American second to their faith that they are extremists. I doubt nationality will matter in heaven (or hell for that matter). Even if I consider myself Muslim first it doesn't mean that I don't love this country and that I'm a bad American. And suggesting that parents of converts should call the authorities on their children if they take photos off their bedroom walls is just ignorant. I could go on and on about the stupid things that were said but I suppose it'll just take alot of time and cause my blood pressure to rise. This hearing was useless and will actually set the effort back in all likelihood.
ReplyDeleteWell said Kristan. I wholeheartedly agree!
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