In an interview with The Politico, Rep. King said, "Unfortunately, we have too many mosques in this country. There are too many people who are sympathetic to radical Islam. We should be looking at them more carefully. We should be finding out how we can infiltrate. […] King added, "I think there's been a lack of full cooperation from too many people in the Muslim community. And it's a real threat here in this country." To watch the King interview see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMydUdKtA_Q&;

In 2004, King claimed  the vast majority of American Muslim community leaders are "an enemy living amongst us" and that "no (American) Muslims" cooperate in the war on terror. King serves on the Select Committee on Homeland Security and the International Relations Committee. King made that claim February 9th on Sean Hannity's nationally-syndicated radio program. While promoting his novel "Veil of Tears," King complained that "no (American) Muslims are cooperating" with law enforcement officials to combat terrorism. He added: "I would say, you could say that 80-85 percent of mosques in this country are controlled by Islamic fundamentalists. Those who are in control. The average Muslim, no, they are loyal, but they don't work, they don't come forward, they don't tell the police [inaudible]."

Contrary to King's assertions, Muslim leaders have worked diligently with law enforcement. In New Jersey our leaders have collaborated in most productive ways with local and state entities-- disseminating information onto and from our besieged community.

When questioned by Hannity whether he was really claiming that 85 percent of mosques in America are "ruled by the extremists," King said: "Yes. And I can get you the documentation on that from experts in the field. Talk to a Steve Emerson, talk to a (Daniel) Pipes, talk to any of those. They will tell you. It's a real issue. I'll stand by that number of 85 percent. This is an enemy living amongst us."

It is pure hate speech and defamatory rhetoric when an elected official would defame America's Muslim leaders and ordinary Muslims, including those in his own district. Sadly, we have  Rudy Giuliani, a Republican presidential candidate who have hired bigots like King and Daniel Pipes as  national security advisors. Mr. Giuliani has Cleary demarked his political allegiance to Israel . Both advisors support racial profiling of Muslims and Arabs and Pipes would even support internment  of American citizens of Arab origin. Arab and Muslim voters will have to decide if Giuliani is fit to be President of the United States a or a lobbyist for Israel.

We call upon President Bush, the Republican National Committee and indeed all people of conscience to repudiate these baseless accusations and reject the growing manipulation of legitimate fears of terrorism to marginalize and stigmatize an entire community.


We call upon all people of conscience to demand that Rep. King immediately and unequivocally apologizes to the American Muslim community and to seek information from unbiased sources. Further, we demand that he meets with Muslim leaders to learn more about Muslims in America. Ignorance can no longer justify hate speech and bigotry should never so avariciously enrich a hateful Congressman. END

SEE: Rep. King: "Too many mosques..."