CAIR Condemns Terror Attack in France, Newt Gingrich's Call to 'Test' and Deport American Muslims

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Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

Jul 15, 2016, 01:16 ET

WASHINGTON, July 15, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the terror attack in France that killed at least 80 people, and also condemned a suggestion by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich who responded to the attack by calling for Inquisition-style religious "testing" and possible deportation of "every person here who is of a Muslim background."

SEE: Newt Gingrich Calls for Testing Everyone of a "Muslim Background" in the US for Sharia Beliefs

https://www.mediamatters.org/video/2016/07/14/fox-newt-gingrich-calls-muslims-be-deported-if-they-believe-sharia/211594

In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

"We condemn this bloody massacre as we have condemned previous ISIS or ISIS-inspired atrocities and the deviant ideology that produces such senseless and cowardly violence. We are praying for the people of Nice, the victims of another outrageous attack on humanity.

"As we mourn the victims and determine how best to protect people of all faiths and backgrounds from such brutal attacks, let us not help the recruiting efforts of ISIS and other terror groups by blaming all Muslims for the murders in France.

"When former House Speaker Newt Gingrich suggests that American Muslims be subjected to an Inquisition-style religious test and then expelled from their homes and nation, he plays into the hands of terror recruiters and betrays the American values he purports to uphold."

CAIR recently called for unity against ISIS following a series of deadly attacks apparently carried out or inspired by that terror group in Turkey, Iraq, Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.

SEE: CAIR Calls for Unity Against ISIS
http://www.cair.com/press-center/press-releases/13646-cair-calls-for-unity-against-isis.html

American Muslim organizations have consistently and repeatedly condemned terrorism in all its forms.

SEE: CAIR's Condemnation of Terrorism
http://www.cair.com/about-us/cair-anti-terrorism-campaigns.html

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)