CAIR Video: Tea Party Attacks Muslim Congressman

Since his election into Congress in 2006, Ellison's religion has often been a target of opponents.Islamophobia has once again been used as a campaign strategy in US politics as the founder of a controversial Tea Party faction targets one of the Muslim members of Congress.

Tea Party Nation leader Judson Phillips has called on voters to oppose Minneapolis Representative Keith Ellison in his reelection bid merely because he is a Muslim.

In a letter issued to members of his party on Tuesday, Phillips called Ellison "one of the most radical members in Congress," stressing that Ellison "is the only Muslim member of Congress."

Experts say much of that letter is not true, and contrary to Philips' allegation, Ellison is not the only Muslim member of Congress. Representative Andre Carson from Indiana is also a Muslim.

Since his election into Congress in 2006, Ellison's religion has often been the target of opponents. However, few have gone so far as to say that his religion alone was grounds for his removal from Congress.

"Every time Congressman Ellison runs for office someone tries to challenge him based on his Islam. What is really disconcerting is how brazen certain elements in our country have become in attacking Muslims," Corey Saylor, a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations told Press TV.

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