The Final Call

Remarks about Muslims by Republican presidential candidate slammed

By Nisa Islam Muhammad -Staff Writer- | Last updated: Sep 30, 2015 - 9:59:41 AM

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WASHINGTON—A comment about Muslims by Dr. Ben Carson, 2016 Republican presidential candidate and a highly regarded neurosurgeon, have been widely rejected and criticized by those charging him with religious intolerance.

“The freedom of religion is a founding principle of our nation. Our Constitution gives this right to all Americans—including elected officials. For Ben Carson, Donald Trump, or any other Republican politician to suggest that someone of any faith is unfit for office is out of touch with who we are as a people,” said Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) on social media in response to Dr. Carson’s remarks.

Dr. Carson, told ‘Meet the Press’ moderator Chuck Todd voters should be concerned about a president’s faith if it is against the values and principles of America.  Mr. Todd pressed further and asked whether Dr. Carson would support a Muslim candidate for president.

“I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation.”  He said, “I absolutely would not agree with that,” said Dr. Carson.

He elaborated further on his Facebook page, “I could never support a candidate for President of the United States that was Muslim and had not renounced the central tenant of Islam: Sharia Law. Those Republicans that take issue with my position are amazing. Under Islamic Law, homosexuals—men and women alike—must be killed. Women must be subservient. And people following other religions must be killed,” the post continued.

“I know that there are many peaceful Muslims who do not adhere to these beliefs. But until these tenants are fully renounced. … I cannot advocate any Muslim candidate for President,” commented Dr. Carson, adding that he could not advocate supporting Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton either.  Response to Dr. Carson’s remarks was swift.

“It’s unimaginable that the leading GOP presidential candidates are resorting to fear mongering to benefit their campaigns, and every American should be disturbed that these national figures are engaging in and tolerating blatant acts of religious bigotry,” continued Rep. Ellison, a Muslim.

Abdul Akbar Muhammad is the International Representative of the Nation of Islam and has traveled all around the world, interacting with Muslims on nearly every continent.  He was incensed after hearing the remarks.

“These comments show that Dr. Carson is politically naïve.  His knowledge of Islam is limited.  He’s taking a page from the anti-Islam group that produced the book The Day of Sharia in America. He picked one line and I doubt if he has an in-depth understanding of Islam,” said Mr. Muhammad.

Deliberate distortions and misrepresentation of Islam have added to confusion and naiveté about the religion which has nearly two billion practitioners worldwide.

“He’s brought to the center people’s ignorance of Islam even though there are over 10 million Muslims in America, we are equal to the Jews in numbers.  The right wing talks about the threat of Islam in Europe. They should be talking about trying to understand Islam.  Dr. Carson is a political outsider that needs to do his homework before he engages his mouth,” said Mr. Muhammad.

Distrust fueled by ignorance has made Islam and Muslim a “bad word” especially in the West.

Denise Spellberg, author of Thomas Jefferson’s Qur’an:  Islam and the Founders wrote, “The first in the history of American politics to suffer the false charge of being a Muslim, an accusation considered the ultimate Protestant slur in the eighteenth century.”

President Barack Obama, a Christian has been labeled a Muslim since being in office. In addition to Rep. Ellison, Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.) is also Muslim.  Rep. Ellison was sworn in to office with his right hand on a Holy Qu’ran, the Islamic book of scripture that was owned by Thomas Jefferson.

“Dr. Carson, your statement shows that for all your education, you know less than nothing about reality.  Dear Dr. Carson, When a white Mason reaches the 32 degree, he is given a Holy Qur’an to study. When they reach the 33 degree, they are eligible to visit ‘The Shrine’,” said Muniqui Dawud Muhammad, an educator via social media.

“Every white Shriner practices Islam in secret while talking Christianity in the public: Presidents FDR, Truman, Warren Harding, Gerald Ford, Astronaut Buzz Aldren, Actor John Wayne, General MacArthur, Sen. Bob Dole (ret.), J. Edgar Hoover were all Shriners,” he added.