The Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations is criticizing state Rep. John Bennett for a Facebook post saying people should be wary of those who say they are “Muslim American.”
“Be especially wary if you’re a Christian,” he said in the post, which links to a story about atrocities committed by the Islamic State group.
“The Quran clearly states that non Muslims should be killed,” he said in the post.
In a news release Wednesday, the Muslim advocacy council’s state chapter said Bennett’s statement about the Quran is false and called on Republican Party leaders to repudiate his remarks.
“Anti-Muslim bigotry and statements that promote misunderstanding and incite hatred toward a minority group have no place in the Oklahoma Republican Party. Individuals elected to represent the people of Oklahoma should be held accountable for such extremist, inaccurate and intolerant views,” Adam Soltani, the group’s executive director, said in a letter to Bennett.
“We are requesting that you denounce these anti-Muslim comments and issue an apology for said derogatory statements.”
Soltani said that Islam teaches that killing one person is like killing all of humanity.
Bennett, R-Sallisaw, said he is standing by his post. He said there are multiple verses in the Quran calling Muslims to war with nonbelievers. He also said the CAIR organization was an un-indicted co-conspirator in a terrorism trial.
He said the terrorist activities of the Islamic State group could reach the United States.
“We must shine a bright light on the role of the Muslim Brotherhood and its varied tentacles in the U.S.,” said Bennett, a U.S. Marine Corps reservist who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan. “These tentacles include un-indicted co-conspirators of the U.S. vs. Holyland Foundation trial like the Council on American-Islamic Relations here in Oklahoma. Our borders are wide open to drug and human traffickers. Terrorism could come to Oklahoma just as easily.”
Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Dave Weston supported Bennett’s remarks.
“It seems as if their attack on his comments is disingenuous at best,” Weston said. “Here’s why. If we as Americans were ruled by Islam, then Christians and Jews like you and I could only keep practicing our faith if we paid a protection tax. But if you’re Christian or Jewish and don’t immediately convert to Islam, they imminently decapitate you. This is proven by ongoing observation around the world today.”
“If they’re legitimate in wanting to come to the table and have an honest discourse, they can prove that by acknowledging the Jewish Holocaust happened, they can publicly recognize the right of Israel to exist and they can denounce the killing of Muslim converts to Christianity and other religions around the world.”
Oklahoma House Speaker Jeff Hickman on Wednesday issued a statement regarding the issue.
“All members of the Oklahoma Legislature are duly elected by and accountable to their constituents, and are free to voice their own opinions. As Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, I have found that most Oklahomans welcome anyone who respects our laws, and embraces our state, our culture and our people,” Hickman said in his prepared statement.
September 14, 2014 2:14 PM
