May, 07 2010, 01:20pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ramzy Kiliç, 813-486-2529, E-Mail: rkilic@cair.com
CAIR Asks GOP to Repudiate Racist, Anti-Muslim Ads
WASHINGTON
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on
national Republican leaders to repudiate campaign advertisements for a
Florida GOP candidate that advocate racial profiling and promote
Islamophobia.
In
one ad, Republican candidate for Congress Dan Fanelli points to a white
man and asks, "Does this look like a terrorist?" He then turns to a
"Middle Eastern" man and asks, "or this?"
Another ad has
Fanelli saying, "This is a terrorist," as he presents a "Middle
Eastern" man strapped with a "bomb" and wearing what appears to be a
dish towel "turban."
Yet another ad shows two
Arabic-speaking "terrorists" constructing a bomb while discussing
"martyrdom" and "killing infidels." The ad also mocks long-standing due
process rights such as Miranda warnings and access to lawyers.
SEE: Fla. Candidate Produces Racist, Anti-Muslim Ads (Video)
"This
type of overt racism and contempt for constitutional rights has no
place in a multi-cultural and multi-faith state like Florida," said CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Ramzy Kilic.
"These
outrageously racist and Islamophobic political appeals indicate that
Mr. Fanelli falsely believes his constituents are as bigoted and
intolerant as he obviously is," said CAIR Legislative Director Corey Saylor. "Local, state and national GOP leaders must speak out strongly against such racist and un-American campaign tactics."
Saylor
said a number of recent terror incidents -- including the suicide plane
attack on an IRS facility in Texas, the shooting of Pentagon guards and
the alleged Christian militia plot to kill police officers -- disprove
the crude stereotypes promoted by Fanelli's ads.
He said
the anti-Islam hostility generated by the ads could result in ordinary
Florida Muslims being targets for discrimination or even hate crimes.
Saylor
noted that just yesterday, Southern California Christian leaders urged
a Republican councilwoman to stop engaging in anti-Muslim rhetoric.
SEE: Christians Urge CA Councilwoman to End Anti-Muslim Rhetoric
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.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a grassroots civil rights and advocacy group. CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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