The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Minnesota (CAIR-MN) today condemned anti-Muslim, Islamophobic, an dangerous tweet made by House Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) about his colleague Rep. Omar and students across American Campuses.
CAIR-MN said the remarks could significantly exacerbate the issue of anti-Muslim sentiment and are against students’ freedom of speech and First Amendment rights.
On his X (formerly known twitter) account, Rep. Emmer referred to Rep. Omar as a pro-Hamas terrorist by stating, “@Ilhan Omar’s pro-Hamas rhetoric solidifies the Democratic party as the pro-terrorist party.”
CAIR-MN is calling on Rep. Emmer to publicly issue a sincere public apology to his Muslim constituents and the role his comments play in amplifying dangerous sentiments. These comments are not only harmful to Rep. Omar, but are putting Muslim constituents and Minnesota community members in a dangerous spotlight as well as inflaming Islamophobia and antisemitism issues in Minnesota.
SEE: ‘Rep. Emmer’s Comments
“These comments have not only reinforced a dangerous trend of Islamophobia, but could also contribute directly to targeting Congresswoman Omar, putting her family and personal life in danger and the broader Muslim community in Minnesota,” said Jaylani Hussein, Executive Director of CAIR-MN. “Minnesota is home to a significant Muslim population and has witnessed the highest number of mosque attacks in the nation, including Muslims in Rep. Emmer’s District, and it is unfortunate that the congressman is putting his constituents and the people he is supposed to represent in a very dangerous spotlight.”
A recent CAIR report, “Fatal: The Resurgence of Anti-Muslim Hate,” documents 8,061 complaints to CAIR offices nationwide, marking the highest number of complaints CAIR has recorded in its 30-year history. Nearly half of all complaints received in 2023 were reported in the final three months of the year.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-MN Director of Advocacy Osman Ahmed 612-459-0334, o-ahmed@cair.com or Executive Director Jaylani Hussein, 612-406-0070, jhussein@cair.com