Intersections International's Statement on The Peter King Hearings

Today in Washington DC, Congressman Peter King (R-NY) begins his hearings on “The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community’s Response.” These hearings are an unfortunate and misguided expression of legitimate concerns about terrorism in this country and around the world.

The assumption, implicit in the very title, is that terrorism in the US is confined to a particular group of people. There are over seven million Muslim Americans who, like any other religious group in this country, are widely diverse in their ethnicity, politics and lifestyle. These hearings falsely portray Muslim Americans as dangerous, foreign, and unpatriotic.

Singling out a particular group as responsible for heinous crimes of terrorism is, and always has been, blatantly un-American and against the core principles of democracy on which this country is founded. Intersections International has worked on a variety of issues with the Muslim American community. Our collaborations and interactions have been vibrant, faithful, civic-minded, and far removed from the rampant stereotypes surrounding these hearings.

Congressman King’s efforts should focus on extremism in America rather than American faith communities. Freedom of religion and religious pluralism are hallmarks of democracy. As Americans, it is our right to practice our faith free from intimidation and fear. At Intersections, we believe that through promoting mutual respect and understanding, we will be able to weather the storms of history without destroying the very principles that made us great.