Some Muslim voters in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District are fearful after their congressman posted to social media that they “don’t belong in American society.”
U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) has doubled down on his call to deport Muslims, firing back at critics who say his comments go against First Amendment protections for religious freedom.
Sabina Mohyuddin, executive director of the American Muslim Advisory Council, said Islamophobia is already on the rise, and a statement like this from her congressman can have ripple effects.
“Bullying in schools, discrimination, vandalism,” she said. “We are now having to brace ourselves.”
Ogles’ congressional career has been characterized by inflammatory statements and symbolic legislation, having unsuccessfully tried to impeach more than a dozen Democrats and political enemies. Ogles plans to introduce legislation to block immigration from Muslim-majority countries.
“This is a distraction, but it is a dangerous distraction,” Mohyuddin said.
Ogles flipped Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District less than four years ago when Democratic-leaning Nashville was split into three different districts. His slice of Nashville includes its immigrant corridor, where a majority of the city’s more than 40,000 Muslims live.
Of the three congressional Republicans who represent part of Nashville, Democrats see Ogles as the most vulnerable for the midterm elections. Last month, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced that it would back Ogles’ opponent, Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, in its national effort to flip certain seats across the country. Molder has outraised Ogles, who also served as mayor of Columbia before being elected to congress.
Mohyuddin said voters are dissatisfied with Ogles’ job in Washington.
“What have you done for our district?” Mohyuddin said. “Have you gone in and met people in your district, including the Muslim community?”
While Ogles has had few public appearances since becoming a congressman, he met with members of Nashville’s Kurdish community before taking office.
Tabeer Taabur, president of the Tennessee Kurdish Community Council, told WPLN News his organization is still in contact with Ogles’ office. Taabur invited Ogles to this year’s celebration of Nowruz, the Kurdish new year.
“Now, we’re very hesitant if we’re going to invite Andy Ogles into our event after these remarks,” Taabur said.
Kurdish Americans have historical ties to the Republican Party, since both Bush presidencies allied with the Kurds against Iraq. While most Kurds are Muslim, many are also Christian or Yazidi.
Taabur said that’s why America’s religious freedom is important.
“This is the greatest country in the world,” Taabur said. “It’s a melting pot, so diverse, the amount of people came from everywhere, different beliefs. America is beautiful for the way it’s been, for the ways it is, you know?”
Taabur said he would still like to have a working relationship with Ogles, since he represents a large portion of Nashville’s Kurdish community. But not everyone feels the same. In the days since Ogles’ post, Taabur has received calls asking the council to end its relationship with their representative.
Ogles’ office did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
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