Robertson criticized for remark about Muslims

Robertson criticized for remark about Muslims

WASHINGTON — Remarks by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson that Muslims are “worse than the Nazis” have prompted criticism from the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Speaking on his Christian Broadcasting Network Nov. 11, Robertson said Muslims were intent on exterminating Jews, reported Agence France Presse. He cited passages from the Koran allegedly comparing Jews to pigs and apes.

“Somehow I wish the Jews in America would wake up, open their eyes and read what is being said about them,” the religious broadcaster said. “This is worse than the Nazis. … Adolf Hitler was bad, but what the Muslims want to do to the Jews is worse.”

The Washington-based Muslim advocacy group denounced the remarks as “lies, distortions and outright bigotry.”

“It’s a shame coming from someone who claims to be a man of the cloth,” said Hodan Hassan, a spokeswoman for the group. “He is doing a lot more to increase tensions and maybe violence among different ethnicities and religions than sowing the seeds of peace.”

She said Robertson “deceitfully” used passages from the Koran, which she said includes passages affirming interfaith harmony.