(COLUMBUS, OH – 9/9/2020) – The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) seeks an apology from Monroe City Councilman Tom Callahan for his Islamophobic and inflammatory remarks that he made on July 14, 2020 at the Monroe City Council meeting.
WATCH: Monroe City Council Livestream Meeting
Monroe City Councilmember Callahan compared the mask mandate to people forced to “wear headscarves” and further shared the same Islamophobic view in a meme on his Facebook page. Statements that make Islamophobic associations perpetuate bigoted discourse that should not be allowed in a government assembly and public platforms. Further, as a public official, Callahan must represent the entire community, including those he disagrees with about wearing a mask. This rhetoric reflects poorly on the Monroe City Council to govern and represent all of its constituents.
SEE: Monroe Councilman Shows Pacifiers to Complaining Citizens After Mask Comments
In a statement, CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Amina Barhumi said:
“Wearing the hijab is an act of devotion to God for Muslim women. And to make a mockery of people’s choice of dress using a bigoted reference is demagogic and a distraction from the Councilmember’s responsibility to serve his county’s concerns around public safety during the pandemic.”
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio Outreach Director Amina Barhumi, 248-635-1843, abarhumi@cair.com
