CAIR: Missouri GOP Lawmaker Calls Sharia a 'Disease' Like Polio
Muslim civil rights group asks Republicans to repudiate anti-Islam hate
WASHINGTON, March 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today called on state and national GOP leaders to repudiate remarks by a Republican lawmaker in Missouri who referred to Islamic principles, or Sharia, as a "disease" like polio.
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said state Rep. Don Wells (R-Cabool) made that comparison yesterday during a meeting of the Missouri House Judiciary Committee, which was discussing a bill Wells has proposed to ban consideration of Sharia in that state's courts. When a Democratic lawmaker asked if Wells really believes Sharia law is like polio, he replied, "Absolutely."
SEE: Former Terrorist Urges Legislators to Ban Sharia law (Post-Disp)
"State and national Republican leaders must act -- and act decisively -- if their party is not to be viewed as tacitly supporting anti-Muslim hate in America," said CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor. "Based on similar actions nationwide, it appears the Republican Party is willing to use religion as a wedge issue to divide Americans."
SEE: Conservative Republicans and Islam: A New Crusade for Votes and Funds
He said the growing anti-Islam rhetoric in the Republican Party is of particular concern in the run-up to the 2012 elections.
SEE: Santorum, GOP Continue Anti-Sharia Campaign
Sharia Threat Bandwagon Keeps Rolling On
CAIR-LA: Some in GOP Uncomfortable with Anti-Muslim Hate
Saylor noted that an individual who offered testimony in support of the anti-Sharia bill at yesterday's committee meeting has a long history of anti-Islam hate and has made bizarre statements such as "in my family was the Grand Wazir of Islam." (There is not now, and never has been a person with the title "Grand Wazir of Islam.")
SEE: The Testimony of a Self-Described Former Terrorist
Similar anti-Sharia bills are being considered in a number of state legislatures. Many of the bills are drawn from a template prepared by David Yerushalmi, head of the anti-Islam hate group Society of Americans for National Existence (SANE).
SEE: Tennessee Bill Would Jail Shariah Followers
Meet the White Supremacist Leading the GOP's Anti-Sharia Crusade
On its now password-protected website, SANE offered a policy proposal that would make "adherence to Islam" punishable by 20 years in prison, called for the immediate deportation of all non-citizen Muslims and urged Congress to declare war on the "Muslim Nation," which SANE defined as "all Muslims."
SEE: A SANE Act to Deal with the Islamic Threat to America's National Existence (SADITANE)
SANE's mission statement included white supremacist language such as: "America was the handiwork of faithful Christians, mostly men, and almost entirely white." An online SANE article stated: "There is a reason the founding fathers did not give women or black slaves the right to vote."
Yerushalmi is also staff attorney for Frank Gaffney, president of the Washington-based Center for Security Policy. Gaffney was a key witness for the plaintiffs in a controversial lawsuit against a mosque being built in Tennessee.
Some Republican leaders are actively promoting an anti-Muslim agenda nationwide. Last week, Rep. Peter King (R-NY) held a hearing on alleged "radicalization" in the American Muslim community that was widely condemned by members of Congress and interfaith and civil liberties groups.
SEE: 'Invasion of the Mind Snatchers,' Starring Rep. Peter King
GOP's Muslim Stand Isn't Helping the Country or the Party
In June, Rep. Allen West will address a gathering of Act! for America, an anti-Islam hate group whose leader Brigitte Gabriel claims an American Muslim "cannot be a loyal citizen," that Islam is the "real enemy" and that every practicing Muslim is a "radical Muslim."
SEE: West to Headline Act! Conference
Transcript of Brigitte Gabriel's Anti-Islam Extremism
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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CONTACT: CAIR Legislative Director Corey Saylor, Tel: 202-384-8857, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, or 202-488-8787, E-Mail: [email protected]; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: [email protected]
SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations
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