CAIR: GOP Must Repudiate NC Lawmaker Who Compared Islamic Prayer to 'Terrorism'

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the Republican Party to repudiate a North Carolina GOP lawmaker who compared Islamic prayer to terrorism.

In an email exchange with a constituent, North Carolina State Rep. Michele Presnell was asked whether she was "comfortable with a public prayer to Allah before a legislative meeting." She responded: "No, I do not condone terrorism." Presnell is also a co-sponsor of House resolution 494, which states that North Carolina may establish a state religion.

SEE: NC Lawmaker Equates Islamic Prayer with Terrorism (News & Observer)
http://tinyurl.com/c3ukyg5

Representative Michele D. Presnell
http://tinyurl.com/cfhm4sd

"If the Republican Party hopes to reach out to minority groups, it must clearly and forcefully repudiate such bigoted comments by its representatives," said CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor.

Saylor noted that a GOP official in California was recently reprimanded for anti-Muslim and anti-Sikh remarks.

CAIR: GOP Reprimands Member for Anti-Muslim Remarks
http://tinyurl.com/d3s5yxt

Last December, a coalition of 11 major American Muslim organizations called on the Republican Party to reach out to Muslim voters by rejecting anti-Islam bias and discriminatory legislation.

Video: Coalition Asks GOP to Reach Out to Muslim Voters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXSrz7qWlQ4  

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 Legislative Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: [email protected];   CAIR Communications Manager Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, 202-341-4171, E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations

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