Peter King

I am not asking you to divulge any facts of on-going investigations.

Prisons are in fact communities at risk.

Thank you very much, professor, for your testimony.

I have repeatedly said that the overwhelming majority of Muslim Americans are outstanding Americans.

The Obama administration recognizes prison radicalization as a serious threat.

Dozens of ex-cons who became radicalized Muslims inside U.S. prisons have gone to Yemen to join an al-Qaeda group.

The danger remains real and present, especially because of al-Qaeda's announced intention to intensify attacks within the United States.

This issue of Islamic radicalization in U.S. prisons is not new.

Today, we hold the second in a series of hearings on radicalization in the Muslim-American community.

I think there has been a lack of full cooperation from too many people in the Muslim community.

I am writing to strongly urge you to reconsider holding the narrowly focused and reckless hearings planned by the Committee on Homeland Security.

It is the responsibility of our elected officials to promote reason, truth, and civility in the public forum--especially at a time when Islamophobia is on the rise--not to waste time and public resources on victimizing select groups.

Targeting one particular faith for scrutiny when the overwhelming majority of that faith's adherents in this country are peaceful, law-abiding citizens seems counterproductive and just plain wrong.

Mainstream Muslim leadership from such organizations like CIOM must be given the opportunity to speak.

It is critical to hear the testimony of law enforcement officials who have worked so diligently across America to build partnerships with local Muslim communities.

We beg to differ with Rep. King's assumption that American Muslims do not cooperate with law enforcement, a claim that simply does not square with the facts.

We strongly believe that these hearings will paint an entire faith community with a broad brush of suspicion and distrust based on the actions of a tiny minority of violent extremists.

Chairman King has characterized the hearings as focusing exclusively on the 'radicalization of the American Muslim community and homegrown terrorism.'

This is an enemy living among us.

The further targeting of Muslim Americans as a result of this hearing will not only be ineffective in securing our Nation's safety, but will divert already scarce law enforcement resources away from real threats.

Congressman Peter King's (R-NY) hearings that will deal with the radicalization of American Muslims

If Chairman King is suggesting that American Muslims are somehow less American--simply by virtue of their faith--then that is an affront to all Americans.

We strongly believe that there is a better way to ensure our National security than singling out one faith community.

Chairman King's hearings will likely stoke Islamophobic sentiment, which has affected me and other Muslim-American colleagues.

Chairman King's singling out a group of Americans based on their faith for close Government scrutiny is divisive and wrong.