The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today said Indiana Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith’s escalating anti-Muslim rhetoric, including comments made marking the anniversary of 9/11, incites anti-Muslim hatred and put American Muslims at risk of violence.
SEE: Beckwith escalates feud with Elliott over Islam on 9/11 anniversary
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
“It is impossible for a public official like Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith to repeatedly encourage hostility toward an entire faith community without endangering the very citizens who practice that faith.
“Our Constitution explicitly guarantees religious liberty for every single American, regardless of faith. Elected leaders are sworn to protect those constitutional rights, not to dismantle them or incite hatred and bigotry against minority communities. We call on public officials across the political spectrum to reject this dangerous un-American rhetoric and to stand up for equal protection under the law.”
BACKGROUNDER:
CAIR’s statement comes follows a pattern of anti-Islam statements from the Lieutenant Governor.
In July, CAIR and its Chicago chapter (CAIR-Chicago) condemned Beckwith’s false description of the Islamic call to prayer (adhan) as “words of death and destruction.”
He also falsely claimed the United States is a “Christian nation,” and incorrectly asserted that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that Christianity takes precedence over all other religions.
In June, CAIR said Indiana Governor Mike Braun must make clear that “hate has no place in Indiana” after he continues to avoid clearly repudiating Beckwith’s anti-Islam statements – including saying “I hate Islam.”
In May, CAIR invited Beckwith to visit a mosque in that state and engage with his Muslim constituents after he reportedly denigrated the religion of Islam and declared that people need “permission to hate again.”
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 National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]