Ellison: Religious bigotry behind recent anti-Muslim fervor

Rep. Keith Ellison

Rep. Keith Ellison says the anti-Muslim fervor currently being seen around the country is “religious bigotry, nothing more, nothing less,” and in an interview with the BBC he pointed to Fox News as a contributing factor in the growth of such sentiment. Ellison also issued a statement Wednesday condemning a Quran-burning event scheduled for Sept. 11, saying it doesn’t represent Americans.

From Ellison’s interview, transcribed by Hart Van Denburg of City Pages:

“The people who are leading the anti-mosque effort — and again, it’s not a mosque, it’s a community center that will have a Muslim prayer room in it [and] I’m sure that anyone who wants to pray in there with whatever faith will be welcome to do so — the real drivers of it are people who openly proclaim that Barack Obama is not a citizen. The real organizers of this thing are people who are just proponents of religious bigotry. Nothing more. Nothing less. And around the country this thing is emblematic of a larger issue. There have been anti-mosque efforts in Kentucky. One gentleman wants to burn a Koran in Florida. There have been [anti-mosque] efforts in Wisconsin, in the Chicago area, and others.”

Ellison said that Fox News has played a part in dividing Americans.

“I think that if you listen to Fox News — that station is 24/7 trying to incite and divide Americans along religious lines, scapegoating the Muslim community. And this is sort of a well-worn, rightwing tactic.”

Ellison also released a statement on Wednesday about a “Burn a Koran” event planned by a pastor in Gainsville, Florida.

“On a day when we should remember the victims and heroic first-responders of the September 11th attacks, a fringe group in Florida has decided to burn copies of the Quran in a deliberate attempt to provoke individuals of the Muslim faith,” he said. “This provocation should not be rewarded with a response. I urge caution, patience, and restraint, and I pray that no one takes the bait being dangled by this misguided group.”

He added, “This group does not represent the sentiment of the American people. It dishonors those who died on September 11th by using the anniversary to fuel hatred and division.”

As our sister site, the Florida Independent, reports, many — including Gen. David Petraeus, Hillary Clinton and Eric Holder — have criticized the event.