Utah Lawmaker Urged to Meet with Muslim Community after Arbaeen Video Controversy
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), on Wednesday called on the state lawmaker to meet with Muslims and build greater understanding.
On X, Rep. Lee posted a video of a group of Shia Muslims in Taylorsville commemorating Arbaeen, which marks the 40th day after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Imam Hussein (AS).
He later replied to his own post saying “not a single American flag in sight.” The post was met with numerous anti-Muslim responses.
“I wasn’t really trying to convey anything other than that is an interesting video,” Lee said in an interview. “This is small-town Taylorsville, Utah, and I’ve never seen this in my life before.” “What I find interesting, though, is the assumptions both sides are making, whether it’s the right or the left,” Lee said. “I think it’s crazy. I haven’t insinuated anything.”
The Alrasool Islamic Center said that Rep. Lee and other lawmakers are welcome to visit and meet with community members to get a better understanding of the faith.
“It is important for elected officials to know and understand all segments of their constituencies. We encourage Representative Lee to take up the Muslim community on its offer to meet with them and build greater understanding,” said CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor.
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He noted that from January to June 2024, CAIR documented 4,951 incoming complaints of Islamophobia, a sixty-nine percent increase over the same period in 2023.
Source: Cair.com
