Video: CAIR Rep Questions U.S. Congressmen at Capitol Hill News Conference with Dutch Islamophobe Who Calls Islam 'Retarded'
WASHINGTON, April 30, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today released a video showing its questioning of infamous Dutch Islamophobe and far-right politician Geert Wilders at a Capitol Hill news conference with his congressional hosts Rep. Steve King (R-IA) and Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX).
WATCH THE VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hkcCLwgCWA
CAIR Government Affairs Manager Robert McCaw pressed Rep. Gohmert as to whether he stood by "Wilders' statement that Islam is an ideology of a retarded culture." Congressman Gohmert avoided the question only stating that he "proudly stands by Wilders" and that he may not always agree with him but will defend his right to make such comments.
McCaw also pressed Wilders on whether or not the Republican Party should adopt his Dutch Freedom Party's proposal of "banning the Quran and the building of new mosques." Wilders sidestepped the question by stating that he is "not trying to unify the two parties" and comparing the Quran to Hitler's Mein Kampf.
In the past, Wilders has stated "I hate Islam," called the Quran a "fascist book" that should be banned, referred to the Prophet Mohammed as "the devil," and proposed putting a tax on Islamic head scarves (hijab) worn by Muslim women.
"By endorsing and promoting Geert Wilders' anti-Muslim hate, these elected officials tarnish the Republican Party's reputation and harm our nation's international image," said McCaw.
In April, CAIR called on Republican Party leaders to disinvite Wilders from two speaking events in Washington, D.C., hosted by GOP Congressmen King and Gohmert.
After the news conference, Muslim Congressmen Keith Ellison (D-MN) and Andrea Carson (D-IN) were joined by Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY) in a counter press conference that rejected Wilder's anti-Muslim bigotry and promoted interfaith unity and respect.
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.
CONTACT: CAIR Government Affairs Manager Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]
SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
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