Female Democratic Senators Ask Only Males Questions at Islam Hearing, Ignore Women Activists
On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a hearing dedicated to exploring both violent and nonviolent Islamist movements. Things didn't start off too well. According to the New York Times “a Muslim man wearing a prayer cap attempted to disrupt the event by yelling at Hirsi Ali, an ex-Muslim and Somali-born human rights activist.” Then, to make matters even more awkward:
The contentious atmosphere carried on to the committee members themselves as Democratic committee leader, Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri, expressed her disagreement with the premise of the hearing, called by Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin.
“Anyone who twists or distorts religion to a place of evil is an exception to the rule,” she said. “We should not focus on religion.” McCaskill proceeded to lecture the panelists on “freedom of religion” in the United States.
“No evil should ever be allowed to distort these premises,” she continued. “I’m worried, honestly, that this hearing will underline that.”
People on social media tuned in to watch the historic proceedings, but were struck by the fact that the female Democrats leading the panels seemed to ignore two female activists — Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Asra Nomani — other than their brief testimonies.
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