(The Center Square) – Radical Islam’s threat is widespread in America, says a North Carolina congressman, a topic that is butting against constitutional guarantees.
U.S. Rep. Rev. Mark Harris, a Baptist preacher, on Tuesday said First Amendment protections are important. Safety of Americans are, too, particularly in his 8th Congressional District where he says mayors are talking to his office about new construction.
“I know in my own community, in my own district in the last couple of weeks, I’ve had several mayors that have actually contacted my office because there are plans that are being made to build large mosques right there in their own communities,” Harris said in a network broadcast interview. “All of these, are in quiet suburbs around and outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. I think it’s something to be aware of. We want to be able to protect everyone’s freedom to exercise their faith. But I think we’ve got to be very clear about what we’re dealing with when we talk about radical Islam.”
Within the First Amendment of the Constitution, the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause provide the foundation for religious freedom. The 14th Amendment in 1868 prevents states from enacting laws to violate these freedoms.
Radical Islam is not considered reflective of the majority of the 1.4 billion people practicing the Muslim faith. The former is considered a political ideology for a total system of politics, legal law and social norms. The Muslim faith of Islam is considered diverse and peaceful.
For example, radical Islam pushes against the West and democracy, and often through use of violent actions.
“Protecting the freedom of religion, that’s an important aspect of it,” Harris said. “But we’ve also got to make sure that we have a Constitution. Americans want to make sure that they are safe. When we see that this whole Radical Islam is built on, really just killing, it’s built on violence – it’s not a religion of peace. Many like to try to state that but I think the facts point otherwise.”
Harris is a part of the Sharia Free America Caucus, a group started Dec. 18 by Republican Texas Reps. Keith Self and Chip Roy. More than two dozen members of Congress from 17 states have come alongside.
“Mamdani’s New York is the front page for radical Islam – and it is spreading across the U.S.!” Harris said, referring to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “The worst thing we could do is become desensitized to radical Islam; the new thing we know, it will have taken over and become all too normalized.
“Radical Islam glorifies harm against innocent people – the complete opposite of the American Constitution, which protects the liberty of all.”
