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Roll Call – March 2, 2004
Rep. Peter King’s book creates stir
John McArdle
If Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) was looking to foster new debate on the subject of Muslim extremist elements living and actively working in America, he's accomplished his goal.
Since the January release of his third book, "Vale of Tears," the Congressman from Long Island has been receiving a lot of attention for statements he's made, both in his book and in the media, that Muslim extremists control the vast majority of mosques in the United States. The new novel - really two separate stories, one that recounts the days and months following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and another about future terrorist attacks set to take place against New York - is meant to send a message that the war on terror is not just being fought in far-away countries.
In a recent interview, King said he wrote "Vale of Tears" as a tribute to those who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center - hundreds of whom lived in his Congressional district - and as a wake-up call to what he views as a grave threat still facing America. He specifically charges in his novel that the Muslim community is not cooperating enough with law enforcement officials to rout out terrorist elements in America.
"Our lives have changed and we've sort of forgotten that initial shock we had," he said. "I think if more people read the book there will be an honest debate on this and it's not just going to be put aside for political correctness."
And since the book's release, King has echoed the claims he makes in the novel - including statements that 85 percent of the mosques in the United States have "extremist leadership" - in comments made on the Sean Hannity radio show and in Newsday newspaper.
Those remarks have brought repudiations from several Democratic leaders in recent weeks. At an event last week for Muslim community leaders in Teaneck, N.J., Sen. Jon Corzine (D-N.J.) and Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) both condemned King's recent statements.
"I think that kind of vitriolic talk might make it more difficult for the FBI to get cooperation and do their job," Pascrell, who is on the Homeland Security Committee with King, said in an interview last week. "I have a tremendous amount of confidence in the Muslim community that they have and will cooperate with federal authorities."
He added that King shouldn't be making "a blanket statement because it has no place, particularly when we live in such a tinderbox time."
Muslim leaders in Washington and in King's home district have been even more adamant in decrying King's statements.
"That's a very dangerous statement," said Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington. "We're more concerned he's trying to market the book on the back of American Muslims and exploit legitimate fears of terrorism to sell more copies of his book."
"It creates in the minds of someone who is not familiar with the community doubts and anxiety," said Faroque Ahmad Khan, president of the Islamic Center of Long Island, which is located just outside King's 3rd district and includes hundreds of members who live in King's district. "At this time it's basically a sense of shock and disappointment that someone who knew the community so well would make these kind of statements ... it's sort of a breach of trust."
But King said he stands by his claims, which he said he bases on his own extensive research, and will not back down from the debate…
"Prior to 9/11 our relationship was very good - he has been in my home, he has visited the mosque," said Khan. "Afterwards he has not responded to our invitations. ... The damage is done…"
http://www.rollcall.com/issues/49_85/ath/4550-1.html
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