Press Room

Press Releases

AAI Calls on Rep. Goode to Apologize for Anti-Muslim Remarks

AAI
Posted on Thursday December 21, 2006

WASHINGTON – Dec. 21, 2006 – The Arab American Institute (AAI) calls on Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Va.) to apologize for and retract racist and inflammatory statements he made in a constituent letter regarding Rep.-elect Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), the first Muslim American elected to Congress.

The grossly inaccurate (and poorly written) diatribe rails against diversity, the immigrant population and Muslims in a failed attempt to link patriotism with blatant racism.

Goode begins his letter as an attack on Ellison’s decision to place his hand on the Quran during an unofficial and optional swearing-in ceremony for members of the House of Representatives. He goes on to use Arab-baiting tactics to incite fear and intolerance, linking immigration to fears of Muslim and Arab integration and the erosion of the American way of life.

“Virgil Goode should immediately apologize for the ignorant and reckless statements he’s been issuing through taxpayer-supported mail,” said AAI President Dr. James Zogby. “Statements such as Rep. Goode’s incite fear and mistrust between communities, and misrepresent the contribution of a large segment of the American people.”

Zogby lauded Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.), Jim Moran (D-Va.) and Mike Honda (D-Calif.), who quickly voiced their concerns to Goode regarding the letter. Each highlighted the contributions made by Muslim Americans in their districts and throughout the country.

“Other members of Congress should join Congressmen Pascrell, Moran and Honda in condemning Virgil Goode’s remarks, and should call on him to apologize to Keith Ellison and the entire Muslim American community.”

You can read Pascrell’s and Moran’s statements online:

Pascrell Offended by Rep. Goode’s Anti-Muslim Remarks

Moran Statement on Rep. Goode Anti-Muslim Constituent Letter