US congressman faces backlash over anti-muslim remarks

WEB DESK: A wave of criticism has swept across the United States following inflammatory remarks by Florida Republican Congressman Randy Fine, who likened Muslims to dogs in a social media post. The comments have provoked a nationwide debate, drawing sharp condemnation from senior officials, civil rights organisations, and international observers.

The Spark of Controversy

According to Dawn, the incident began on Sunday during an exchange on X (formerly Twitter) with New York-based activist Nerdeen Kiswani, in which Fine posted:

The statement was immediately flagged by users and advocacy groups as a clear example of dehumanising rhetoric.

Nationwide Condemnation

The backlash was swift and far-reaching. California Governor Gavin Newsom was among the first prominent figures to respond, demanding Fine’s immediate resignation.
“Resign now, you racist slob,” Newsom posted in a direct rebuttal.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights organisation in the country, has called on both Republican and Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives to take formal disciplinary action. CAIR described the comment as part of a “broader pattern” of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian sentiment, noting that Fine has previously referred to Palestinian identity as “evil” and advocated for the deportation of Muslims.

A History of Controversy

This is not the first time Congressman Fine has attracted scrutiny. A vocal ally of former President Donald Trump, he has repeatedly sparked controversy over his stance on the Gaza conflict and Islamic law, and is associated with a congressional group dedicated to countering Sharia influence in the US.

Despite growing calls for his resignation, Fine has remained defiant, asserting in subsequent statements that he is “not afraid” of being labelled Islamophobic and standing by his original remarks.

Political Fallout

Democratic lawmakers, including Representative Ilhan Omar, have urged an official inquiry into what they describe as a “longstanding pattern of hateful rhetoric,” while House Republican leadership has yet to announce any formal disciplinary measures.

The episode has underscored deepening religious and political divisions within the US Capitol, with civil rights groups warning that inflammatory language from elected officials can foster real-world violence and discrimination against the American Muslim community.