The Council on American-Islamic Relations Action (CAIR Action) Texas and CAIR-Texas condemn recent social media attacks by Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French targeting Representative Salman Bhojani, one of the first American Pakistani Muslims elected to the Texas House of Representatives.

On August 11, French tweeted at Tom Homan, Border Czar for the Trump Administration, urging him to “denaturalize and deport” Rep. Bhojani for breaking quorum to protest illegal mid-decade redistricting efforts. In a separate post, French compared Bhojani to Osama Bin Laden because Bhojani traveled to Pakistan for family matters, writing: “Bhojani claimed he was tending to family matters in Pakistan, the same place Osama Bin Laden hid.”

SEE:  Tarrant County GOP leader posts anti-Muslim remarks about Texas House member

Tarrant County includes cities such as Euless and Arlington, home to a growing population of Pakistani-Americans and Muslims. Muslims are the second-largest faith group in the county after Christianity, reflecting its increasing religious and cultural diversity.

SEE: Tarrant County, Texas – County Membership Report (2020) 

“It is deeply concerning to see the county’s party leadership direct such vile, racist, and anti-immigrant rhetoric at a public servant who represents this diverse and growing community,” said Mustafaa Carroll, Executive Director of CAIR-Texas Dallas Fort Worth (DFW). “Calling for the deportation of a U.S. citizen and comparing an elected official to a terrorist solely because of his faith and country of birth is un-American and dangerous. These comments are designed to incite hatred and suspicion toward all immigrant and Muslim communities.”

“This is part of a disturbing pattern of anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim attacks by political leaders who use bigotry as a political weapon,” said Sameeha Rizvi, CAIR Action Texas Policy and Advocacy Coordinator. “It is unacceptable for any elected official to engage in this kind of rhetoric. We call on every public official in Texas to publicly denounce these statements, demand accountability from those who make them, and take concrete steps within their parties and chambers to ensure such hate is not tolerated. Silence is complicity, and our communities deserve leaders who will stand up when it matters most.”]

CAIR-Action Texas and CAIR-Texas emphasized that normalizing such rhetoric endangers targeted communities, erodes public trust, and undermines the democratic values elected leaders are sworn to uphold. They urge state elected officials to publicly condemn these remarks and to commit to rejecting anti-Muslim bigotry in all forms.

SEE: CAIR-Texas Condemns Anti-Asian, Anti-Immigrant Remarks Directed at State Rep. Gene Wu

CAIR Action Texas is an affiliate of CAIR Action, a 501(c)(4) organization. Our mission is to engage, educate, and mobilize Muslim voters, train emerging leaders, and champion policy priorities that enhance the well-being and representation of Muslim communities. Through our work, we aim to foster a more equitable and inclusive democratic society where the rights and voices of Muslims are acknowledged and respected.

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.      

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.   

END

CONTACT: Mustafaa Carroll, CAIR-TX DFW Executive Director, mcarroll@cair.com, (832) 549-1042; CAIR Action Communications, media@cairaction.org