The Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-TX) today condemned statements and proposals by Texas lawmakers and political activists at Texas Faith Fest calling for restrictions on Muslim religious practices, including halal food, Islamic schools, and the public call to prayer.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Rep. Keresa Richardson, R-McKinney, said of making Muslims uncomfortable: “The more uncomfortable they are, the better.” Rep. Andy Hopper, R-Wise County, described Islam as a “hostile alien civilization” and called for students to learn “how awful Islam is.” Rep. Brent Money, R-Greenville, questioned whether Islam is a religion and proposed banning public institutions from providing religiously required food.
In a statement, CAIR-Texas said:
“Muslim Texans should not have to defend their right to practice a religion that the Constitution already protects. Halal food is not a threat. A call to prayer is not a threat. Muslim children attending Islamic schools is not a threat.
“Religious freedom does not mean the government decides which religions are legitimate. Nor should the government claim its allegiance to one religious tradition. The First Amendment protects Americans precisely because the government is not supposed to make theological determinations about which faiths deserve protection.
“Texas lawmakers should stop trying to make Muslim Texans feel unwelcome and start defending the constitutional freedoms they swore to uphold.”
The Houston Chronicle also reported that one Texas Values board member said his ultimate goal was to make Muslims feel so unwelcome that they would want to leave Texas.
In a statement, CAIR-Texas said:
“Texas Muslims are Americans. This is our home, and we are here to stay. We work, raise families, build businesses, serve our communities, and participate in the civic life of this state. We should not have to prove that our faith deserves the same constitutional protections as everyone else’s.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Houston Director, Imran Ghani, [email protected], 713-922-5270; CAIR-Austin Director, Shaimaa Zayan, [email protected], 512-785-7105; CAIR-DFW Executive Director, Mustafaa Carroll, [email protected], 832-549-1042; CAIR Texas Government Affairs and Legislative Manager, Sameeha Rizvi, [email protected], 512-893-1371; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]