(Image Source: Think Progress)

BY KERRY LEARY

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN
 

A Tennessee state representative says Muslims should not be allowed in the U.S. military. Rep Rick Womick tells Think Progress:

Womick: “I don’t trust one Muslim in our military because they’re commanded to lie to us. The term called Taqiyya. And if they truly are a devout Muslim, and they follow the Quran and the Sunnah, then I feel threatened because they’re commanded to kill me.”
Reporter: “You believe they should be forced out?”
Womick: “I absolutely do.”

His comments came during a Veteran’s Day conference of conservative activists that focused on the threat of Islamic extremism. Gawker calls Womick’s comments, quote, the “absolute dumbest thing a Republican has said about Islam this year.”

“Oh, Rick! Your ignorance is a precious, beautiful thing: in five sentences you have managed to misunderstand Islam, the U.S. constitution ... Best of luck going up against your fellow Republicans for the title this December!”

There are about 6 million Muslims living in America, with about 3,500 serving in the military, according to the New York Daily News. In its coverage of Womick’s remarks, the Salem News points out that Muslim soldiers play an important role in the Middle East.

“Many U.S. soldiers who are Muslim serve as interpreters in places like Iraq; their presence is key in communicating, gathering intelligence and negotiating. They keep Americans alive. In some cases U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan stationed with Afghan forces, have converted to Islam.”

And Tennessee's Muslim community is not happy about Womick’s comments, as seen on WTVF.

“What he says has great implications and I think he should not only retract what he has said, but he should also apologize to all people-Muslims who are serving in the military- and the United States of America. Because that kind of bigotry only leads people to alienation and hate.”

But Womick is refusing to refute his statement. The Murfreesboro Daily News Journal interviewed Womick, and got this response:

"Who are we at war with? We are at war with al-Qaeda and the Taliban, who are Muslims. It's a Catch-22. They are not allowed to kill their fellow Muslims, we're at war with Muslims. The only solution I see is that they not be allowed in the military."

Transcript by Newsy.