‘An Affront to Religious Freedom’: Rights Group Slams Candidate’s Comments on Muslims in Congress
"American Muslim candidates, like all others, are committed to upholding the U.S. Constitution and serving the best interests of their communities," said CAIR Washington Executive Director Imraan Siddiqi in a statement, PBS reported on Friday.
"Attempts to discredit them based on their faith are not only baseless but an affront to the core values of religious freedom and democracy that define this nation. Such rhetoric is a dangerous attack on the principles that unite our pluralistic society and has no place in public discourse."
Sessler, in a recent interview with the Yakima Herald-Republic, expressed his views by stating, "There’s no way that a devout Muslim should be in Congress because they can’t take the oath of office," adding that he believed a Muslim majority could pose a risk to the Constitution.
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CAIR-WA noted that 235 Muslims currently serve at local, state, and federal levels across the United States, with four having served in Congress. Currently, three Muslim representatives—André Carson of Indiana, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan—are in office, all of whom are Democrats.
Sessler, who is running against incumbent Rep. Dan Newhouse, has framed his campaign around his Christian beliefs and the idea that the US political system is rooted in Christian values. He has emphasized his willingness to work with Muslims in Congress while also labeling aspects of Islam as "problematic."
The advocacy group reiterated the right of all Americans, regardless of faith, to participate in the political process and called for an end to divisive rhetoric.
Source: Agencies
