CAIR's cause for concern

Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, will begin holding hearings Thursday on "the extent of the radicalization of American Muslims." Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, has characterized the hearings as "a witch hunt." Are they?

King also has said he believes the "self-radicalization" of American Muslims represents "a very small minority" of the overall community. What are the potential consequences of singling out one religious group?

Ghassan Elashi is serving a sixty-five year prison sentence for funneling money to Hamas. Randall Royer is serving a twenty-year sentence after pleading guilty to weapons charges in Virginia. Both had been at one time associated with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Elashi was a founder of CAIR-Texas and Royer served as a communications specialist for the organization.

Based on those cases alone, CAIR has cause for concern in these hearings.

When these hearings were announced, I wrote that, "This is no "witch hunt."

Instead of attempting to "demonize" Americans concerned with homegrown radical Islam, Muslims should actively participate in these hearings to discuss how their faith is combating terror. The defensive, shift the discussion, allege "Islamophobia" tactics by CAIR are damaging to American Muslims and fuel distrust in non-Muslims.

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Please note that in discussing political issues, candidates positions and political party statements, Jordan Sekulow is offering analysis in his individual capacity as lawyer and commentator. He is not speaking on behalf of the American Center for Law & Justice. The ACLJ does not endorse or oppose candidates for public office. Nothing contained in this article should be construed as the position of the ACLJ.