White House praises Muslims ahead of hearing

WASHINGTON (RNS) Days ahead of a controversial congressional hearing on
Islamic extremism, the Obama administration is highlighting the role
Muslim Americans play in combating radicalism in their communities.


"I am here to talk to you about how our communities -- your
communities -- contribute to keeping our country safe," said Denis
McDonough, deputy national security adviser, in a speech to the All
Dulles Area Muslim Society in Virginia on Sunday (March 6).


In a lengthy address, McDonough affirmed U.S. Muslims as "our
neighbors and fellow citizens," as he sought to separate the White House
from the hearings, which are scheduled to begin on Thursday (March 10).


Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., chair of the House Committee on Homeland
Security, has called for the hearings to investigate "the extent of
radicalization in the American Muslim community."
"I support his speech. I welcome it," King told Politico on Sunday.
"By making a speech like that, not making one word of criticism about
the hearings, to me speaks volumes. He had every opportunity to
criticize our hearings and didn't."
McDonough did not mention the hearings, but did say that extremism is
not the product of one faith.


"We must resolve that, in our determination to protect our nation,
we will not stigmatize or demonize entire communities because of the
actions of a few," he said, according to a prepared text issued by the
White House.


A White House official said the administration welcomes
"congressional interest" but the speech highlighted "our long-term
strategy and what works, based on evidence and careful consideration."


Imam Mohamed Magid, leader of the Virginia mosque, welcomed the
speech, and its timing.


"With all these negative things that the hearing has generated in
terms of bad publicity about Islam and Muslims, it actually is a
positive message coming from the White House," said Magid, who also is
president of the Islamic Society of North America.


He said Muslims in his community work closely with law enforcement,
and Muslim leaders plan to soon announce new strategies for Muslim
communities to counter Islamic extremism in the U.S.


McDonough told the audience at the Islamic center that the
administration would also soon be releasing plans for preventing violent
domestic extremism.


"The bottom line is this -- when it comes to preventing violent
extremism and terrorism in the United States, Muslim Americans are not
part of the problem, you're part of the solution," he said.


Shaun Casey, who advised Obama on religious outreach in the 2008
campaign and attended McDonough's speech, said the address gave the
administration a chance to clearly state it has and will continue to
work with Muslims.


"Clearly, the White House does not want to be passive in the face of
the hearings," said Casey, an ethicist at Wesley Theological Seminary in
Washington. "They felt like there was a larger story to be told."


John Esposito, an expert on Muslim-Christian relations at Georgetown
University, said McDonough's speech contrasts sharply with King's
statements. The deputy national security adviser focused on the majority
of Muslims, who like other Americans, have thrived in business or serve
in the military, he said. Esposito said it was necessary for the Obama
administration to provide that context before congressional testimony
began.


"It's especially urgent when you've somebody who's engaging, in
effect, in a witch hunt," said Esposito. "To me, the president had an
obligation to speak out."


Magid said Obama's sending a key administration official to his
mosque can only enhance future work between the government and American
Muslims.


"It will encourage the community to do more," he predicted.