Congressman Andre Carson Talks About Islam in America

In a speech to the Icna Mosque in Hartford, Connecticut, last month, Congressman Andre Carson (D-IN), one of two Muslims serving in congress, empathized with fellow followers of Islam over how difficult life was for them after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11th, 2001.  The congressman cited racism and Muslims losing their jobs as a direct result of how “tough” life was after the terror attacks.

“It is very true that all of us are under tremendous strain right now -- 9/11 was tough on Muslims.  Those of us who were in the workplace faced exacerbated prejudice, unrelenting bias, and in many cases, some of us were terminated from our jobs.  It was tough to be a Muslim in the workplace.”

Congressman Andre Carson Talks About Islam in America

The congressman followed up the statement, noting that America’s 11-year “War on Terror” will never be won unless the country receives assistance from followers of Islam.

“America will never win the war against terrorism without help from the Muslim community.”

Carson continued, claiming that the over seven million Muslims who live in America were ”under attack”.  He cited that followers of Islam “must not retreat,” noting that Muslims “have been apart of America since the inception of America.”

Carson then called out people in the audience who might be “under-cover.”  The inference was that there were subversives in the audience, set on exposing that the congregation was having secret meetings with the intentions to cause harm to America.

“Now, it is unfortunate that there are those who are thinking that at this convention right now were having secret meetings, that were plotting to destroy this country, but I say to those who are here under-cover, Allah will not allow you to stop us.”

The comments received multiple rounds of applause.

Watch a clip of the speech here: