McCain’s Anti-Muslim Pastor

By Dr. Aslam Abdullah, Editor-in-chief of The Muslim Observer

Rev. John Hagee, the McCain supporter who said God created Hurricane Katrina to punish New Orleans for its homosexual sins. Not many in the media questioned him and McCain did not feel the need to comment on his statement. Well now Rev. Rod Parsley, the televangelist megachurch pastor from Ohio has been embraced by the Republican nominee. Parsley hates Islam. According to David Corn of Mother Jones, Parsley has called on Christians in America to wage war against Islam, which he considers to be a “false religion.” In the past, Parsley has also railed against the separation of church and state, homosexuals, and abortion rights, comparing Planned Parenthood to Nazis. Parsley believes that America was given to white Christians primarily to destroy Islam.

John McCain actively sought and received Parsley’s endorsement in the presidential race. McCain has called Parsley “a spiritual guide,” and he hasn’t said whether he shares Parsley’s vicious anti-Islam views. That’s because the mainstream media refuses to ask.

But why should we remain silent. A Presidential candidate is openly embracing a Islamophobic and a religious figure who is seeking the destruction of Islam but not many Muslim groups and organizations have focused on that. McCain’s election would give strength to Parsley and Hagee and even impact the domestic policies towards Muslims.

What Parsley is saying is very clear. Don’t let Islam take roots in America. Don’t let Muslims be pat of this country. Because if they do so, America would not fulfill its religious destiny.

The silence of Muslims and interfaith leadership is disturbing. However, this should not prevent Muslim Americans write to McCain campaign demanding an explanation of his endorsement of Parsley and Hagee. We have the following questions for McCain and all others who are seeking the office.

1. Do they believe that Islam is a threat to world civilization?
2. Do they believe that Muslim Americans promote violence?
3. Do they believe that Islam is a satanic cult?
4. Do they believe that Muslims are pagans or infidels?
5. Do they believe that America was established to destroy Islam?
6. Do they believe that if America does not destroy Islam it would not fulfill its divine duty?
7. Would they use their office to promote the agenda of Parsley and Hagee?
8. Would they attend churches that promote these types of ideas?
9. Would they use their office to discriminate against Muslims?
10. Do they consider Islam a mainstream American religion?

We must send these questions to every candidate running for Presidency, senate and congress and house assembly and senate etc. We should not take this type of attack lightly because we know how the ignorance on our part during the last eight years led this country to elect a president who was speaking the language of leaders like Falwell and Robertson.

Those Muslim Americans who are part of the Republican party must raise these issues with their party bosses. Additionally, Muslims must be prepared to take these questions to the Republican and Democratic Party conventions to seek clarification from the candidates and their supporters. Silence would mean that we are insensitive to our interests.

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