Today, Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, is opening a series of hearings on the supposed radicalization of American Muslims.
Muslims, others rally ahead of hearings on Capitol Hill (photo from The Washington Post)
The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs is alarmed by these congressional hearings that go against American values of religious freedom, diversity and equality. We are disturbed by the narrow scope of the hearings, which are singling out and stereotyping an entire community. We oppose using a discriminatory lens of religion and race to investigate threats to national security.
America is witnessing injustices against the Muslim community being perpetrated on a daily basis, which is not just a threat to that community, but a threat to all people striving for equality in our diverse society. These hearings are troubling as they may lead to a growth of already persisting anti-Muslim sentiments in our country.
Jane Ramsey, JCUA executive director, said that “JCUA stands alongside the Muslim community in our shared concern of safeguarding our civil rights and civil liberties, and undoing bigotry and prejudice. We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community, as our own Jewish historical experience of being a minority has warned us all too well of the dangers of stereotyping and demonization an entire community.”
We urge Rep. King to find more effective alternatives to ensuring national security, which do not lead to further alienation and discrimination of Muslim Americans, who are working hard to protect the American society and contribute to its growth and success.
More news on Rep. Peter King’s hearings:
The Washington Post
USA Today
JCUA News 