RNC Speakers Invoke Misleading Links Between Religion and Terrorism

September 4, 2008


The Muslim Public Affairs Council expressed disapproval today over repeated comments made at the Republican National Convention last night by former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

"For four days in Denver, the Democrats were afraid to use the words 'Islamic terrorism,'" Guiliani said. "I imagine they believe it is politically incorrect to say it. I think they believe it will insult someone. Please, tell me, who are they insulting, if they say 'Islamic terrorism?' They are insulting terrorists." 

SEE: Rudy Giuliani's Speech (Full text)

"Is a Supreme Court liberal or conservative that awards Guantanamo terrorists with constitution rights?" Romney said. "John McCain hit the nail on the head: radical violent Islam is evil, and he will defeat it!"

SEE: Mitt Romney's Speech (Full text)

Romney and Giuliani's remarks on Islam served to equate Islam with terrorism. Making false statements only serves to increase the already high rates of violence and bigotry against Muslim Americans.  Our nation faces a very real threat, but bolstering the credibility of would-be terrorists by associating them with any religion is counterproductive to our national security interests.

Riding the ebbing wave of post-9/11 fear mongering in an election season is nothing new. But our presidential candidates must ask themselves whether playing off the ignorance of a few voters worth jeopardizing the American values of pluralism and constitutional democracy?

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