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As It Happens

Ben Carson's anti-Muslim comments anger former legislator

A Republican presidential hopeful makes much of his belief that the U.S. President's office should never be inhabited by a Muslim. The first Muslim-American woman elected as a Michigan State Representative responds.
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Republican presidential contender Dr. Ben Carson / former Michigan legislator Rashida Tlaib (Mike Theiler/Reuters and Rashida Tlaib)
As It Happens6:56Muslim Presidency

When Rashida Tlaib heard Republican presidential hopeful Dr. Ben Carson utter the words on Sunday, she says she was saddened and shocked. Carson told the NBC TV program Meet The Press: "I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that." He remains unapologetic.

Tlaib says the Republican Party needs to condemn the comments and that Carson should be disqualified.

She was the first Muslim woman to serve in Michigan's legislature, when she was first elected in 2009. She tells As It Happens host Carol Off that "it was very painful to hear someone that grew up in the same neighbourhood as I did in Detroit...and someone I looked up to...for me to turn on public radio and have my 10-year-old son hear this man that inspired me years ago say that he, or I, could not become President of the United States was very hurtful."

Adam Tlaib, 10, son of Rashida Tlaib (Rashida Tlaib)

Tlaib adds: "You know, If you knew my son Adam, he's like 'mama, what did he say?' He's never heard of Ben Carson, but I think I remember him saying something about character. So he spoke from the heart and he said: 'that's not right' and 'why is he saying that?' I told him sometimes people are angry and afraid of our faith. And what they've seen on TV is not who we are. And that it's really important for us to go out there and combat that."

In a later interview Ben Carson somewhat clarified his comments. He said that he would support someone with a Muslim background running for President -- if that candidate is willing to reject the tenets of Islam and swear to place the constitution above his or her religion.

But that's not nearly enough for Rashida Tlaib. She says: "He's ignorant. I was a public servant and I swore to defend the Michigan constitution. My faith gives me strength, but I did not vote looking at the Koran. I voted looking at my district and at who I represented. I just hope he understands that the spirit of who we are in the United States is that we don't allow that influence of religion."

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