Controversial Hearing Takes Place in Washington

Today, a controversial hearing on the radicalization of American Muslims is taking place in Washington, put forth by Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) who chairs the House Committee on Homeland Security. The focus of the hearing is to understand and gauge why and how individual Muslims have become radicalized in the U.S.

Currently, radical Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who was born in New Mexico, and spent many years as an imam is now currently in hiding in Yemen, has been linked and encouraged attacks on the United States. In 2009, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, serving as a Army psychiatrist is accused of shooting and killing 13 soldiers at Ft.Hood, Texas.

Al-Qaeda, has been actively encouraging and recruiting American Muslims to carry out terror attacks against the U.S. The U.S. has seen an increase of individuals who have become radicalized over the past few years.

The hearings have become a political lighting rod, as many individuals have portrayed them as another McCarthyism style hearing which questions the loyalty of Americans. Supporters against the hearings believe this can only further alienate Muslim-Americans, and the real purpose is solely based on religion.

Passion on both sides runs high and only time will tell how this developes.

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