US Muslims Concerned 'Award-Winning Bigot' to Become Next Secretary of State

Rasa - Muslim groups in the United States showed concern over the potential nomination of an official accused of making past "Islamophobic" comments to become next US Secretary of State.

News ID: 433017

Date: 10 October 2017 - 19:17

RNA - A group, dubbed Muslim Advocates, said reports suggesting that CIA Director Mike Pompeo could be nominated to the post are "concerning", New Arab reported.

"Rumours that Mike Pompeo is being considered for a cabinet position should concern every senator and every American who cares about religious freedom," Scott Simpson, public advocacy director for Muslim Advocates, said in a press statement.

"The Secretary of State is in charge of implementing much of the Muslim ban, and having someone so hostile to American Muslims in that role is even more chilling.

"This not a man who can be trusted in the cabinet, and we urge members of the Senate to speak up against his potential nomination," the statement added.

Pompeo has made a number of controversial statements against Muslims in recent years.

Following the Boston Marathon attack, Pompeo accused Muslim American leaders of being "potentially complicit", angering the nations Muslim community.

The US official also claimed that Muslims "abhor Christians…and will continue to press against us until we make sure that we pray and stand and fight".

He was also a staunch advocate of halting the refugee resettlement program.

"Just last year, he accepted the 'highest honor' from the largest anti-Muslim hate group in the country, meaning his bigotry is literally award-winning," Muslim Advocates added.

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