In one of the most poignant moments of the Homeland Security hearings chaired by Congressman Peter King (R–NY), Congressman Keith Ellison (D–MN) broke down during his remarks. As reported by The Washington Post, “Ellison was talking about Mohammad Salman Hamdani, the American Muslim firefighter who died on 9/11. Because Hamdani, Ellison said, was a Muslim, he was the subject of conspiracy theories for months after his death. A NYTimes editorial later clarified: ‘Mr. Hamdani’s remains had been found near the north tower, and he had gone there to help people he did not know.’”
When the pundits start characterizing King’s hearings on domestic radicalization, it is worth remembering that if the hearings had not been held, most Americans would have never known about the courage and sacrifice of Mohammad Salman Hamdani.
And after all, was that not the whole point of the hearings? This is an issue worth looking at—not to demonize the Muslims in America but to protect them from exploitation. In the U.S., we have seen the tragic consequences of letting evil ideas go unchallenged. Just ask the parents and relatives of young Somali-Americans recruited to throw their lives away for al-Shabab, a militant Islamist group based in Somalia with more blood on its hands than a Chicago butcher
It's concerning that Mr. Ellison shows no recognition between Muslims and radical Muslims. Mr. Hamdani’ deserves much better.
Certainly he understands we've come to know the term "terrorism" doesn't have the same meaning between Muslim belief and American civility.
Certainly Mr. Ellison isn't playing us for "dumb?"
Thank you Mr. King. We see for ourselves and deserve the truth and the truth deserves to be known. God Bless Muslims with a civil mind and conduct.
My problem with the hearing was that it was too narrow in scope. Sure, there are some radicalized Muslims out there.
There are also some radicalized Christians who want to bomb abortion clinics or assasinate abortion doctors.
A few days ago, police arrested a neo-Nazi in connection with a bombing plot during an MLK day event.
There are also lone wolves out there like Jared Loughner — or the Unabomber.
There are eco-terrorists like the Earth Liberation Front running about, destroying millions of dollars in property.
And there are those who are just plain nuts, like the man who held Discovery Channel workers hostage because he believed the station was not doing enough to prevent global over-population.
There are all kinds of threats in America every day. Rep. King's commitee should have had a more comprehensive look at all them — for everyone's safety and understanding.
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