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CAIR Bulletin – July 21, 2005
Dingell condemns remarks by Rep. Tancredo
Calls on Republican Leadership, President to Denounce
Comments as Anti-Religion and Un-American
Congressman John D. Dingell (MI-15), the Dean of the House of Representatives, condemned the recent comments made by Representative Tom Tancredo (CO-06) as "ignorant" and "inexcusable" for a Member of Congress. During a recent interview on Tampa radio station WFLA-AM, Mr. Tancredo said that the US might "take out (Muslim) holy sites" in response to another terrorist attack on the US. When asked if he meant Mecca, Congressman Tancredo responded "yeah."
Said Dingell, "First of all, suggesting the bombing of a holy site of any religion is simply inexcusable for an elected official in the United States Congress and an anathema to the millions of people of faith across our nation. To even suggest an attack on Mecca shows Congressman Tancredo has no understanding of the true nature of Islam and the peaceful Muslims living in the Arab world. The holy sites of all religions - Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and all others - are the most sacred and hallowed places for their respective followers and to suggest that any one of these sites be bombed is clearly an attack on that religion and its followers. Mr. Tancredo's reprehensible attack on Islam is ignorant and offensive.
"We must stand united and strong against terrorism, but these are exactly the kind of careless comments that Muslim extremists feed off of and use to recruit new terrorists. To suggest that we hold an entire religion responsible for the actions of a minority of religious extremists - in effect declare a holy war against Islam - is outrageous and plays right into the hands of those very radicals. There is no better motivation to get someone to fight an apparent enemy than to threaten what they love most and are willing to defend at any cost - whether it is their family, homeland, or their holy land. I only hope that his statement won't be used on extremist websites as justification for a 'holy war' against the United States and our allies.
"America was founded by people who believed strongly both in God and in the free expression of religion; that solid foundation remains and is part of what makes us the greatest nation in the world. Mr. Tancredo's comments --while he has the absolute right to make such remarks-- are contradictory to freedom and the values of this nation. I call on the Republican Leadership in Congress and the President to condemn these comments and make clear that this is an action that the United States would never lower itself to."
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