Anti-Muslim bias on Capitol Hill, Aref Assaf,
Herald News Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Bigotry shows its ugly face, not only on Main Street, but now in the halls of
Congress. A recent target is Eighth District Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.,
D-Paterson, who represents a district where an increasingly large number of
assertive Muslims and Arabs live. Indeed, this is the place often described by
the congressman as "the most ethnically and religiously diverse area in the
United States."
Pascrell is now being criticized for facilitating a conference room for CAIR,
the Council on American Islamic Relations. The room is located in the Capitol
basement. The aim of the panel discussion was to discuss relations between
Muslims and the West – a most timely topic.
This courtesy is routinely extended to groups of various political affiliations
and issues.
Like other political organizations, CAIR has done or said things others may find
objectionable. But consistently, it has acted as a moderating venue for
disseminating timely and accurate information to and about the American-Muslim
community. In fact, the FBI and other federal agencies have often worked with
CAIR to build bridges with the Muslim community.
Members of Congress routinely give groups, ranging from environmental coalitions
to pro- or anti-abortion groups, access to Capitol rooms. CAIR reports that it
held similar meetings in Congress in the past. The latest one -- a 90-minute
briefing on March 13 by Professor Steven Kull, director of the Program on
International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland, concerned a newly
completed study of "Global Attitudes on Islam-West Relations."
Pascrell said of the incident that the building is "open to all Americans and
should be available to encourage dialogue on the most relevant domestic and
international issues of the day."
For some Republicans to attempt to stifle open discussion of vital national
issues belies good judgment and common sense. We salute the congressman for
extending the courtesy and opportunity to CAIR to hold a meeting on exactly the
kind of issues members of Congress need to be educated about.
We see the Republicans' baseless attack on the congressman and CAIR as bordering
on disgraceful bigotry and moral bankruptcy.
Unfettered but organized access to Congress should be open to all American
citizens wishing to advance their reasonable causes.
Aref Assaf, American Arab Forum
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