U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin initiates congressional hearings on civil rights of American Muslims

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin has announced plans to hold congressional hearings on the civil rights of American Muslims.

The assistant Senate majority leader said the hearings will be held at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington. The hearing will be held before the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights.

In announcing the hearing, the Illinois Democrat said the Constitution protects the free exercise of religion for all Americans. In noting a spike in anti-Muslim bigotry, Durbin added it is important for the current generation to renew the founding fathers' commitment to religious diversity.

Durbin's proposed hearing follows that earlier this month of New York Rep. Peter King of the House Homeland Security Committee, who said he was looking Muslim extremism in the U.S, according to The Associated Press.