WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, has introduced a House resolution condemning comments made by an Irving-based Islamic leader following the death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Van Duyne, whose congressional district includes Irving, announced she is leading the resolution alongside the Republican Study Committee after Omar Suleiman, founder and president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research in Irving, posted a message on social media following Graham's death.
According to Van Duyne's office, Suleiman wrote, "Bye Lindsey. May you live an eternity in ruins for the ruins you helped create in Gaza. Ameen."
The resolution honors Graham's public service, expresses gratitude for his work on U.S. foreign policy and national security, recognizes his support for the U.S.-Israel relationship, condemns Suleiman's statement, and states support for House Republicans' efforts to raise awareness about what it describes as the dangers of Sharia law and its incompatibility with American legal principles, constitutional governance and individual liberty.
"I awoke on Sunday morning like many of my colleagues to the shocking news of Sen. Graham's passing. He dedicated his life to public service as a legislator and military officer," Van Duyne said in a statement. "The outpouring of love and appreciation for Sen. Graham was incredible and heartwarming to see. Equally, the hatred and truly evil attacks against him were utterly shocking."
Van Duyne criticized Suleiman's remarks, calling them "depraved" and saying they reflected "the language of hatred from a man who presents himself as a religious leader."
In an interview first reported by Fox News, Van Duyne also referenced Suleiman's 2019 appearance as a guest chaplain before the U.S. House of Representatives.
"This type of action from a religious leader that claims to preach about love and not hate needs to be condemned," Van Duyne told Fox News. "That was anything but love. That was depravity."
Fox News reported that Suleiman, who delivered the House's opening prayer in 2019 after being invited by House Democrats, posted the message shortly after news broke of Graham's death, criticizing the senator over his support for Israel.
Van Duyne was joined in introducing the resolution by Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. August Pfluger of Texas and more than two dozen Republican members of Congress, including Reps. Troy Nehls, Dan Crenshaw, Michael McCaul, Chip Roy, Pat Fallon, Craig Goldman, Brandon Gill, Keith Self, Randy Weber, Wesley Hunt, Brian Babin, Jake Ellzey, Roger Williams, John Carter, Morgan Luttrell, Michael Cloud, Nathaniel Moran, Ronny Jackson, Jodey Arrington, Monica De La Cruz, Randy Fine, Abraham Hamadeh, Claudia Tenney and Erin Houchin.
The resolution has been introduced in the House but has not yet been considered for a vote.
The Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research is located at 7750 N. MacArthur Blvd, Suite 120237 in Las Colinas near I-635. 40-year-old Omar Suleiman is also a member of the Ethics Center Advisory Board at Southern Methodist University. Suleiman was born to a family of Palestinian Muslims in New Orleans, LA.
It is worth to note that the Quran does not promote hatred. As a Muslim, Suleiman should be following the writings in the Quran. The Quran focuses heavily on justice, patience, and treating even adversaries fairly. As an example, Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:8 states "And do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness". Surah Ash-Shura 42:43 also says "And whoever is patient and forgives - indeed, that is of the matters [requiring] determination."
