Bigotry shows its ugly face not only on Main Street but now in the halls of Congress. The target is none other than our own Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), the venerable Democratic Congressman who represents the 8th Congressional District (where a large number of increasingly assertive Muslims and Arabs live). This is the place often described by the Congressman as “the most ethnically and religiously diverse area in the United States”. He 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. Apparently, some Republicans were outraged at having an American Muslim organization meet in the halls of Congress, and their wrath unto the Congressman continued unabated. Accusations of aiding or sympathizing with terrorism ran contrary to the spirit of dialogue and seeking knowledge. For the record, CAIR has unequivocally condemned terror attacks targeting people of all faiths and in all areas of the world.

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 recent one- a 90-minute session held on March 13th was a briefing by Professor Steven Kull, director of the Program on International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland, on 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. Unless the message being sent is that Muslims-May-Not Enter-the-Capitol, we urgently demand an unequivocal  retraction and a clarification from Republican  leaders. We see the Republicans' baseless attack on the Congressman and CAIR as bordering on disgraceful bigotry and moral bankruptcy.

We urge other groups to  join in the call to demand an apology to those deserving one most: the Congressman and the American Muslim community. Unfettered but organized access to Congress- the People's House, both its halls, and our elected representatives - should be accessible by all American citizens wishing to advance their reasonable causes.
 

See my other note on CAIR