Letters on Pompeo and Islamic Society event
Why did Pompeo interfere in private event?
Apparently, the extreme right teamed up with potentially lethal bullying to stop the freedom of religion and the freedom of speech from being exercised in Wichita.
I read about how Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Wichita, and the threat of armed protesters stopped the Islamic Society of Wichita from following through with the speaker of its choice at the society’s fundraiser dinner scheduled for Friday evening (March 26 Eagle). A deep-seated ignorance, blind fear and dispensing with the U.S. Constitution caused such a shameful action on the part of Pompeo and the armed protesters who seem to worship the Second Amendment more than their God.
I suppose someone could argue that the decision to cancel the event was the Islamic Society’s own choice. However, with so much anti-Muslim rhetoric and violent actions taking place in our own community and around the country, did the society really have any safe choice?
I have worked as a teacher at Annoor Islamic School and with the Islamic Society on several occasions during the past few years. I always felt only welcome, never threat. As a Christian and a pastor, I felt loved and embraced, not questioned.
I’ve heard that the Republican right wing stands for “smaller government,” so why did Pompeo interfere, as the political representative of all the people, in a private event sponsored by a religious organization?
In my opinion, we need to work harder than ever to create a thoughtful, loving and welcoming community in order to make the U.S. a “more perfect union.”
Michael Poage, Wichita
Exposed invitation
A “thank you” to Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Wichita, for publicly exposing the invitation by the Islamic Society of Wichita to Sheik Monzer Talib to speak at a fundraising dinner (March 26 Eagle).
The society has the freedom (in America) to invite whomever it wishes, but one has to wonder why it would welcome someone with alleged ties to Hamas. Actions speak louder than words, and this invitation speaks volumes. The Islamic Society’s cancellation of the speech is appreciated, but it never would have happened without the leadership of Pompeo in asking that it be canceled.
G.E. Horn, Goddard
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This story was originally published March 28, 2016 at 7:05 PM with the headline "Letters on Pompeo and Islamic Society event."