Chicago Muslims Denounce Congressman’s Remarks

Chicago: The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (Council), an umbrella organization representing over 400,000 Muslims throughout Chicagoland, requests all people of conscience and and tolerance, including elected officials of both parties, to repudiate the racist remarks of US Congressman Mark Kirk (R-Illinois) on Saturday, November 5th, at a Northwestern University symposium on nanotechnology.
Mr. Kirk has confirmed the media reports about his published statement, “I’m OK with discrimination against young Arab males from terrorist-producing states." Kirk was responding to a question regarding difficulty in getting visas for foreign students.

“The visa requirements and process should be the same for all people.
No one should be discriminated against based upon his or her race, religion or national origin,” said Abdul Malik Mujahid, Council Chairman. “Our country, including people of all political persuasion recently paid tribute to Rosa Parks, whose career represented the struggle against racial discrimination, including racial profiling. It is regrettable and tragic that Rep. Kirk, within days of her death, has already forgotten and has failed to learn anything from the legacy of Rosa Parks in making bigoted remarks by promoting a policy of racial profiling of Asian men, including those of Arab descent.”
The Council demands that the Congressman retract his statements and make a formal apology. The Council is available for interviews regarding this matter.
The Council is a federation of approximately 50 major Islamic centers, mosques, academic institutions, schools, civic, professional, and social service groups. Through its member organizations, the Council represents the collective interests and viewpoint of over 400,000 individual Muslims in Chicago's greater vicinity.

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