Rep. Adam Hasner Associates with Radical Racist, Geert Wilders

Bismillah,

Written by: Haytham Soliman

It is one thing to dislike someone if they hurt you, but it is quite another to be racist or a supporter of racists. It is ironic that when a Muslim scholar makes a small mistake, it is blown out of proportion, without regard to context, while if the same or worse mistake is made by an Islamophobic bigot, it is seen as patriotism!

State Representative Adam Hasner and Republican House Majority leader, (Florida House District 87) flew back from Washington D.C. to meet Geert Wilders. For those who don't know, Wilders is a member of the Dutch Parliament, who produced the infamous documentary Fitna. Note this is the same Hasner, who walked out of the Florida chambers during a Muslim prayer, to make a very public snubbing. The fact that he is Jewish does not bode well for Muslim-Jewish relations in Florida, which have been edgy, to say the least. Instead of trying to provide healing between the communities he represents, Hasner has been involved in Islamophobic  hate-fests.

I am not going to waste my time in commenting on such a filthy documentary, but it disgusts me to see a politician in office, associated with such a radical extremist, and dirt-bag like Wilders. It is interesting to note that the United Kingdom has banned Wilders from traveling to the country. So, while the UK bars a bigot from even entering the country, an American politician is according Wilders a reception reserved for “decent” celebrities!

I can't help it but to remember the statement of Martin Luther King Jr. , “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice every where”. People in whom we entrust the power to legislate should never be associate themselves with bigots and racists.

Those who hide behind freedom of speech to push their unjust and radical agendas, are like those who hide behind religion to conduct acts of terror…both are cowards.

Below is a great piece by Thomas Francis, who writes in the Broward Palm Beach blog; an open letter to the State Representative:

Dear Rep. Hasner,

Seriously? Geert Wilders? I mean, I know you're term-limited in the House, but surely you've considered a run for Senate, maybe Florida CFO? And yet by sharing a stage with Geert Wilders… well… it leaves one wondering whether you share his view that Muslim people are an inferior culture. Can you please clarify your positions on some of Wilders' most controversial statements and policies?

• Wilders has advocated banning immigrants from Islamic countries. Do you support this policy for the U.S.?
• Wilders has called for the repeal of hate-speech laws in Europe. Do you support this policy in the U.S. even though it may increase the threat that synagogues are painted with swastikas? Or that the homes and churches of minorities might be covered with racial slurs?
• Wilders has likened the Qur'an to Hitler's Mein Kampf. One can imagine how moderates who practice Islam and for whom that book is a sacred text object to the implication that they harbor genocidal fantasies like Hitler's. So would you like to assure them that you do not suspect them of this?
• Wilders has said that Islam is a “culture of barbarism.” Do you share this view?
• In prepared remarks this week, Wilders referred to you as a “friend.” Would you call him a “friend” too?
• Wilders has called Islam the “ideology of a retarded culture.” Does that sound about right to you?
• In the Netherlands, Wilders has called for the elimination of mosques and for the deportation of Muslim immigrants. Do you believe this is a just policy? Do you support its adoption in the U.S.?

If I accidentally mischaracterized a position of Wilders', please feel free to correct the record; you know him better than I do. Also, before you begin writing us your answers, please be mindful of how very generous are the protections in the U.S. for freedom of speech. You do not need to equivocate on our account, nor worry about the sensitivities of our readers. You are entitled to your opinion, no matter what that may be. Tell us how you really feel.