Republican Congressman Andy Ogles of Tennessee represents one of the largest muslim populations in the American South. This week, he said muslims “don’t belong in American society.”

His comment, posted on social media along with the assertion that “pluralism is a lie,” reverberated quickly across the country, but was especially jarring for the tens of thousands of muslim constituents in his Middle Tennessee district. In neighborhoods south of Nashville, from Antioch to Murfreesboro, muslim residents responded with a mix of anger and exhaustion, as well as concern that such ideas coming from their very own Congressman could fuel harassment and violence at a moment when tensions are already running high.

Ogles has continued in recent days to intensify his attacks on islam and muslim Americans. After posting that muslims do not belong in American society, he followed up with dozens of additional messages declaring that “America is a product of English Christian culture” and that “Multiculturalism is NOWHERE in the Constitution,” suggesting muslims should live in one of the world’s “57 Islamic countries,” and calling for deportations of even naturalized muslim Americans. “We must not cower to these barbarians,” he said in one post. “Paperwork doesn't magically make you American,” he said in another, adding that “muslims are unable to assimilate; they all have to go back.” Ogles has also proposed legislation that would effectively ban immigration by muslims, modeled on travel restrictions enacted during the first Trump Administration. 

Comment: Andy Ogles is absolutely right.  Similarly, muslims do not belong in the UK.  We continue to advocate the mass deportation of all muslims from the UK.