Ayloush Discusses Radicalization & Rep. King's Hearings on NPR

Are American Muslims being Radicalized?
 CAIR-LA Executive Director Discusses Rep. King's Hearings with NPR's Patt Morrison

 

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The hearing has caused a major stir, without even being formally scheduled. Congressman Peter King, a New York Republican who is known for speaking bluntly on matters of national security, is planning on holding a hearing, in his new role as chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, on the threat posed by radical Islam in America. Rep. King plans to focus on the shootings at Ft. Hood and the bombing attempt in Times Square, both of which were perpetrated by American Muslims.

Just the announcement alone has caused controversy on both sides of the issue - security hawks are disappointed that more aggressive advocates against radical Islam are not being called as witnesses, while Muslim American groups are very weary that they will all be characterized as terrorists in waiting. There does seem to be anecdotal evidence of more terrorism attempts carried out by American citizens of Muslims descent, but there's also a sizable Muslim population in the U.S. that is well-educated and very successful. Is radicalization really a threat?

 

GUESTS:  

Hussam Ayloush, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Los Angeles

Brian Michael Jenkins, Senior Advisor to the President at the RAND Corporation

LISTEN TO INTERVIEW

ALSO SEE:

Huffington Post: Muslim 'Radicalization' Hearings are Wrong & Misguided

Mother Jones: Peter King's Terrorism Problem

NPR: New Terrorism Adviser Takes a 'Broad Tent' Approach

TIME: The Myth of Homegrown Islamic Terrorism

Washington Post: Hearings on Muslims Trigger Panic