OC Congresswoman on Defensive Over Comments about Muslims and Terrorism

Officials with the Council on American Islamic Relations’ Southland office today criticized remarks Rep. Loretta Sanchez made during an interview about the percentage of Muslims who would like to form an Islamic “caliphate.”

“California Muslims are disappointed by the harmful statement made by Rep. Loretta Sanchez about Muslims,” said Haroon Manjlai, a spokesman for CAIR- LA. “Using inaccurate polls that reinforce false stereotypes about the Muslim community, at a time when right-wing bigots are calling for fascist measures against Muslims, is inexcusable, and even more perplexing considering she represents a large Muslim constituency and has had the opportunity to learn how peaceful and patriotic that community is.”

In an interview with Larry King, Sanchez said, “We know that there is a small group, and we don’t know how big that is -- it can be anywhere between 5 and 20 percent, from the people that I speak to -- that Islam is their religion and who have a desire for a caliphate and to institute that in any way possible, and in particular go after Western norms.”

She went on to say, “they are willing to go to extremes. They are willing to use and they do use terrorism.”

CAIR officials said that while the Garden Grove Democrat’s record on civil rights and with the Muslim community is “praiseworthy” she was relying on discredited polls.

Sanchez’s Washington spokeswoman referred requests for comment to her U.S. Senate campaign, which issued this statement:

“As a member of Congress, I have maintained a strong friendship and partnership with the Muslim community for almost two decades. I believe that the vast majority of Muslims around the world and Muslim Americans are deeply committed to Islamic ideals of peace and community service.

“Last night, I spoke with Muslim American community members to address their concerns regarding a recent interview, in which I referenced various conflicting opinions regarding the rate of support for ISIS and other militants among Muslims worldwide. As I clearly stated in the full interview, those studies offer only estimates based upon very limited research. There are other equally compelling data to support far lower estimates.

“I want to reiterate that my reference to those numbers does not reflect my views of the Muslim community in my district, in America or the vast majority of Muslims around the world. I believe that Muslim Americans are fully committed to the security and prosperity of our country. I stand with them as my fellow Americans. They are law-abiding citizens, who love our country, live in peace with their neighbors, and serve our communities as teachers, doctors, businessmen, first-responders, and in many other ways.

“As Americans, we must always vigorously protect the civil liberties and human rights of the Muslim community here in America and abroad, and we must oppose those who seek to misrepresent Muslims for political gain.”

City News Service; Photos: Wikimedia Commons