CAIR: Va. Gov-Elect Asked to Repudiate Anti-Islam Donor’s Remarks
One of McDonnell’s top contributors says Muslims should be treated like communists, fascists
WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today called on Virginia’s Governor-elect Robert F. McDonnell to publicly repudiate anti-Islam remarks by Pat Robertson, the televangelist and gubernatorial campaign contributor who recently said Islam is “not a religion” and that American Muslims should be treated like members of a communist or fascist party.
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said Robertson has in the past called Muslims “satanic,” claimed the Quran, Islam’s revealed text, is “fraudulent” and said Islam is “a monumental scam.”
Robertson’s most recent inflammatory anti-Islam comments came in response to the Fort Hood shooting spree and after he made a $25,000 contribution to McDonnell’s campaign. He also attended McDonnell’s election night victory party. McDonnell has rejected calls to repudiate Robertson’s remarks.
SEE: Robertson’s Remarks Put McDonnell in a Bind (Wash. Post)
http://tinyurl.com/robertsonislam
SEE ALSO: Virginia Muslims Call on Bob McDonnell to Denounce Statements
http://www.wusa9.com/rss/local_article.aspx?storyid=93796
“If Governor-elect McDonnell wishes to show that he will be the governor of Virginians of all faiths, he should publicly repudiate Pat Robertson’s hate-filled and divisive remarks,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. “Anything less is an indication of tacit approval for Robertson’s bigoted and un-American views. Such comments evoke McCarthyism and would not be tolerated if they targeted any other religious or ethnic group.”
He noted that CAIR recently called on American political and religious leaders to challenge Islamophobes engaged in a rhetorical backlash to the recent shooting spree at Fort Hood in Texas. Awad said Robertson was one of the Islamophobes cited by CAIR.
SEE: U.S. Leaders Should Reject Anti-Muslim Rhetoric Prompted by Fort Hood Shootings
