Texas Republican convention escalates anti-Muslim rhetoric

The Texas Republican convention in Dallas has come under fire after speakers escalated anti-Muslim rhetoric, leaving many Muslim Americans feeling under attack. The event, which drew delegates from across the state, saw repeated attacks on three Democratic politicians who are Muslim, including Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and Abdul El-Sayed. One senior Republican, part of the Sharia Free Caucus, told those who do not love America to "get the hell out".

The Sharia Free Caucus, a group of 68 members of Congress started by Texas politicians, has literature that openly says Islam has no place in American society. A congresswoman from Florida said Sharia law is not conducive to the American way of life and that Sharia courts violate constitutional rights.

Delegates expressed similar views. One said they did not think Islam was a religion but more of a cult, while another estimated that Muslims made up 30% of Texas's population, when the actual figure is around 1%. The reporter put that to the delegate, who seemed surprised.

Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, a rising Republican figure who prayed at Donald Trump's inauguration, said there was no place for mosques in America, drawing a parallel with not building churches in Islamic countries. He also claimed Sharia law was being followed in the US, citing an incident involving Jake Lang, a provocateur known for anti-Muslim protests. Lang had placed a Koran in a pig's head outside a mosque. Sewell said Lang was chased and stoned, but the incident was widely reported as a confrontation.

Muslim community leaders said they had never felt such hostility. One said politicians had attacked mosques, threatened to withdraw funding from airports that let Muslims wash their feet, and changed school curricula to present Islam negatively. The rhetoric, they said, was planting seeds of hatred that could harm children.

The report also noted that Republicans used to canvas for Muslim votes, but a former Republican said he had stepped away from the party because of what he had seen. The Texas Republican governor even attacked a female volleyball team, causing confusion among the players, who said they were just playing sports.

The convention's rhetoric came from the top, with Donald Trump attacking Somalis and high-profile commentators like Laura Loomer having his ear. A Muslim Republican said he was asked to leave the event, and there was speculation that the RNC was vetting speeches to reduce criticism, as many Muslims had voted for Trump.