By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews
McKINNEY, Texas – U.S. Rep. Keith Self says “political Islam” is gaining ground in Texas, and his North Texas district is at the center of it.
“My district in North Texas is certainly the epicenter, but it is a statewide phenomenon,” Self, R-Texas, wrote in an Aug. 17 opinion piece published by Texas Scorecard titled “We Are Losing the Lone Star State to Political Islam.”
“We are losing Texas,” the piece opens. “Political Islam is on the march, undeterred by federal, state, or local action.”
Self cites immigration, what he calls “Sharia-compliant compounds” and actions by local governments, including his “hometown of McKinney.”
But the op-ed does not identify a person or organization in Self’s district that he says is attempting to replace constitutional law with Sharia.
‘They Can Lie to Us’
Self’s op-ed argues that “political Islam” is gaining ground in North Texas. But that raises another question: What happens when Muslims say they are not trying to impose Sharia or replace American law?
Self addressed that question earlier the same day during an interview on “The Mark Davis Show” on 660AM The Answer.
Host Mark Davis asked whether Self would trust a Muslim congregation that said it had no intention of imposing Sharia law.
Self pointed to taqiyya.
“There’s a concept in Islam, taqiyya, which allows them to lie to further the cause of” what he called “political ideology Islam,” Self said.
“I’m not talking about faith,” Self continued. “I’m talking about political ideology Islam … they can lie to us to further the cause of political Islam, and so we have to take that into account.”
Academic references describe taqiyya differently. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions defines it as permission to conceal one’s faith when facing “persecution or threat or compulsion.”
Encyclopaedia Iranica describes taqiyya as particularly associated with Shiite Islam and the concealment of beliefs or religious practices in times of danger. Its more detailed entry notes that Sunni scholars also recognize the principle, but generally under more restrictive circumstances.
Neither reference describes it as a general permission for Muslims to lie to advance “political Islam.”
‘What Are We Lying About?’
Muslims in Self’s district disputed his description of taqiyya.
Dr. Taha Ansari, a McKinney doctor, said he had never heard the term until recently, when he began hearing it used politically.
“What are we lying about or concealing?” Dr. Ansari asked. “Can he give an example?”
Dr. Ansari said he understands taqiyya as concealing one’s faith when facing persecution or threats, not permission to deceive people about a hidden political agenda.
At the Aug. 18 McKinney City Council meeting, Dr. Ansari also rejected the idea that Muslims are seeking to replace American law.
“Sharia is not a secret political conspiracy, and it’s not going to replace the Constitution,” he said. “Muslims are Americans. They are subject to the same Constitution and laws as everyone else.”
Muhamed Azar, another North Texas Muslim, said taqiyya is more commonly associated with Shia Islam and is not prevalent among Sunni Muslims. He said it can involve concealing one’s faith for self-preservation when facing persecution or severe harm, and can also apply in circumstances such as warfare.
Azar rejected Self’s broader suggestion that Muslims can lie about their intentions to advance Islam.
“Under normal circumstances lying is a major sin,” Azar said.
“Taqiyya is not lying,” he said. “It is concealing faith under persecution. Self is generalizing it. No such conditions of persecution exist here anyways.”
Back to the McKinney Mosque
Self’s comments came less than two weeks after he urged the McKinney City Council to reject a proposed Islamic center on Virginia Parkway.
The council was reviewing a site plan under existing zoning, which city staff said met city requirements. The council approved it unanimously.
During the Davis interview, Self said Sharia and the Constitution “don’t coexist.” Asked whether he could envision a new mosque he would support, Self replied, “I cannot.”
The next evening, Dr. Ansari addressed the controversy during public comments at the McKinney City Council meeting.
“They comment about Islam and Sharia as if they understand their religion better than people who actually practice it,” Dr. Ansari said. “That’s just plain ignorance.”
Dr. Ansari also cited Exodus 20:16 in responding to Self: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
TX3DNews asked Self and his staff for the evidence behind his “epicenter” claim, his sources on taqiyya and who, specifically, he considers part of “political Islam” in North Texas. No response had been received by publication.
Self says “political Islam is on the march” and his district is its “epicenter.” Who in North Texas he is talking about remains unclear.
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“Self,” a fitting name for a phony Christian. He’s a typical turn-coat politician who will say ANYTHING to whip up votes from a frenzied mob, defame anyone on the promise of a vote. He first supported McKinney Muslims when he believed that would garner votes. Then, after gauging the direction of the wind, changed his stance. He would create civil war among McKinney residents if it meant getting re-elected. Revolting.