House Homeland Security Committee Holds Controversial Session on the Radicalization of Muslims

Last week, the House Homeland Security Committee, chaired by Representative Peter King, held a controversial session on the radicalization of Muslims.  The Committee has been investigating radical American Muslims after several attacks were linked to Muslims, such as the attempted bombing in Times Square last year.  Much of the session included stories of American Muslims who have been loyal American citizens, such as Mohammad Salman Hamdani, who was killed trying to help others on September 11, 2001.  Others told stories of American children who were recruited by al-Qaeda, turned radical, and left America to fight for al-Qaeda.  Several critics of the hearing accuse the Committee’s leaders of bigotry, claiming the hearing was discriminatory.  What do you think?

3 comments

  1. I don’t think that the hearing was discriminatory. Every religion has radical groups within it. Just because there is an investigation regarding a small part of a particular religious group does not necessarily mean it is being done for a discriminatory purpose. Even political groups have radicals within it.
    I do not believe that focusing on particular group of people who happen to be committing many violent attacks is in any way discriminatory.

  2. I agree. Since the attacks were linked to American Muslims and al-Qaeda has been known to recruit Americans to fight for them, there is a legitimate threat posed by the group. It is true that not all American Muslims are threats, but overlooking the particular group could be detrimental to US safety.

  3. I agree with Alexandra. There are always going to be radicals in every group, whether they are religious groups or political groups. The Homeland Security Committee was not displaying discrimination, but rather concern for the safety of America. When it comes to protection you can never be too cautious. Some may feel that the Committee was pinpointing Muslims as a whole, but the fact of the matter is that everyone is aware that it is a particular sect of the Muslim community that is the Committee’s focus. Of course Muslims may feel unfairly judged, but Homeland Security has an obligation to Americans to do whatever they deem necessary to neutralize threats to the country.

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