'Biased' report worries US Muslims
American Muslims have voiced concerns that a congressman's upcoming hearing on “radicalism” in the US Muslim community will be biased.The Muslim American community will gather on Capitol Hill to meet Congress members and discuss Congressman Peter King's upcoming hearings on "radicalism" in the American Muslim community on March 7, Press TV's Rhonda Pence in Washington reported.
“He has the right to express his views no matter how wrong and bigoted he is, and we have the right to show the other side of what he's trying to project,” said Nihad Awad, Executive Director of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR).
CAIR pointed out that King's upcoming hearing -- which is based on the idea that Muslims do not help government officials -- is biased because his report, which is mainly based upon anonymous statements, does not include testimony from any law enforcement officials.
“[King] won't have anyone testify the fact that Muslims aren't cooperating with law enforcement, probably because it's not true,” says Ibrahim Cooper, the National Communications Director of CAIR.
CAIR representatives and rights groups plan to meet members of Congress and “capture the facts,” our correspondent said, adding that they want the hearings to include radical extremism from other religions as well.
To help in the cause, a website has been created by CAIR to record positive testimonials between American Muslims and law enforcement agencies, our correspondent added.
“We're asking them to write letters to the editor, to contact elected officials, and to submit testimonials about their efforts not only to combat extremism but to work in cooperation with law enforcement authorities,” said Cooper.
King has denied requests by Muslim groups to expand the hearings.
Muslims make up around two percent of the US population, yet they account for about one-quarter of the religious discrimination claims filed in the US, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of 2010.
GMA/PKH/AKM
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
PressTV - 'Biased' report worries US Muslims
via presstv.com
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