U.S. Congressmen concerned over radicalization in Muslim communityMarch 7, 2011 - 11:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The House Homeland Security Committee hearing on "radical Islam" is needed to highlight and investigate the threat posed by homegrown Muslim terrorists, Chairman Peter T. King (R-N.Y.) said. Defending himself against criticism that he is scapegoating a religious community and ignoring threats from other extremists, King said that U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. "is not saying he's staying awake at night because of what's coming from anti-abortion demonstrators or coming from environmental extremists or from Neo-Nazis. It's the radicalization right now in the Muslim community." King was joined on CNN's "State of the Union" by Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), a practicing Muslim who plans to testify at the hearings. Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, said that he agreed with holding the hearings but that the scope was too narrow. "It's absolutely the right thing to do for the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee to investigate radicalization," Ellison said. "But to say we're going to investigate a religious minority, and a particular one, I think is the wrong course of action to take." Asked why he would participate in the hearings, Ellison said, "I believe in engaging the process. I think you've got to be involved in the conversation. You've got to offer an alternative view." King and Ellison had differing takes on the highly charged issue of whether the American Muslim community has helped to counter radicalization. Ellison said, "The stats say 'yes.' " The Muslim community, he said, should not feel frightened but empowered. King's outlook, however, was not as positive. "I'm aware of a number of cases in New York where the community has not been cooperative," he said, adding that law enforcement officials do not always "get the level of cooperation that they need," The Washington Post reported. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |