(Newswire.net — September 21, 2015) — Given the number of Muslim voters in US, GOP candidate Ben Carson may have just eliminated himself from the presidential run. By openly declaring that he would not endorse a Muslim as President of the United States, Carson aggravated Muslim voters and provoked the largest Muslim community organization to condemn his political views.
Speaking to NBC News’ ‘Meet the Press’, Carson claimed that Islam is not compatible with the US constitution. Carson said he would not agree with putting “a Muslim in charge of this nation.”
“I guess it depends on what that faith is,” answered Carson to a question of religious beliefs of a future president of the United States.
“If it’s inconsistent with the values and principles of America, then of course it should matter. But if it fits within the realm of America and is consistent with the constitution, no problem,” Carson said.
Reminding him that US presidency is not about being a Christian but about being a righteous leader of all Americans, the country’s largest Muslim civil rights group condemning the politician’s reasoning.
“It’s beyond the pale and he should withdraw,” said Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) representative Ibrahim Hooper.
“This disqualifies him from being the President” CAIR director Nihad Awad said. He slammed Carson’s explanation that Muslim presidency would be against the Constitution. “My advice to GOP presidential candidates: Read the US constitution if you haven’t yet! It keeps America great.”
Even Carson’s party mates washed their hands after his speech. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, another presidential candidate, spoke out against Carson’s comments.
“I think Dr. Carson needs to apologize,” Graham said, adding the comments were particularly offensive to American soldiers who are Muslim.
Carson’s campaign office said responding to the criticism, that their chief never said directly that a Muslim can’t be allowed to run for the presidency, but that Americans are “far from ready to accept a Muslim as President in our Judeo-Christian society.”
“Without question, there are complex differences between the practice of the Muslim faith and our Constitution, differences that are very real and very much in conflict with one another,” spokesman Doug Watts said.