The Council on American Islamic Relations, or CAIR, was at the center of the hearings today on Capitol Hill as lawmakers and witnesses addressed concerns about the radicalization of American Muslims, in particular young men between the ages of 15 and 30 years old. Political correctness was credited throughout testimony for the expansion of radicalism in the American Muslim community.
“When we look at the problem of radicalization, the excuses will never run out,” Dr. Jasser, founder and president of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy said. “It seems to me that Americans are sitting around doing nothing to combat extremists.”
Jasser stressed the need to combat radicalism, saying the issue is a moral one that Muslims must take on and fix. He added that violence is the last step in radicalization and that American Muslims are failing to address, observe and report those they see taking steps toward radicalization in a productive, proactive way that provides solutions moving forward. Jasser compared radicalism in Islam to a cancer, and said if American Muslims are going to fix the problem, they have to be able to talk about it openly and attack it from all angles. When asked about his view on CAIR, Jasser said the organization promotes a victim mentality rather than a corporative attitude within the American Muslim community.
“We have a problem internally,” Jasser said. “We must awaken the silent Muslim majority.”
Melvin Bledsoe, father of Carlos Leon Bledsoe of Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, the man convicted of killing U.S. Army Private William Long and wounding Private Quinton Ezeagwula outside of a military recruitment center in Little Rock, Arkansas after going through the radicalization process, had a similar message to Jasser.
Bledsoe gave a detailed description of his son’s decline into radical-Islam, adding that political correctness will not stop radical extremists from countries like Yemen and terrorist organizations from recruiting vulnerable young men in America.
“This hearing today is extremely important,” Bledsoe said. “I sincerely hope this committee can address the issue in a productive way.”
Rep. Frank Wolf represents Virginia’s 10th District and has dealt with multiple situations involving radicalized American Muslims in his district, including the recently foiled DC-metro system bomb plot Farooque Ahmed planned to carry out. Wolf slammed CAIR, saying they are responsible for a large portion of the radicalization in America. He testified that his concern is not limited to CAIR’s disturbing origin and involvement with terrorist organizations, but with CAIR’s attempts to attack the reputations of those who dare to question their motives and those who call for investigations about the dangers of violent and radical Islam. Wolf also accused CAIR of driving a wedge between the American Muslim community and the FBI by encouraging Muslims not to corporate with terrorist investigations.
“CAIR is counterproductive and is hurting the American Muslim community,” Wolf said.
Above: A poster produced by CAIR for the American Muslim community.
CAIR was an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land scandal for funneling over $12 million to Hamas.
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