Muslim DHS Adviser Under Fire for Controversial Islam Tweet

The United States of America is "an Islamic country with an Islamically compliant constitution," a member of the Department of Homeland Security Council tweeted Thursday. His claim sparked controversy on the social media platform, prompting the official to defend his remark in detail.

Twitter

Mohamed Elibiary made the eyebrow-raising claim while debating whether Islamic countries treat non-Muslims fairly.

"Please show me just ONE example of an Islamic country where non Muslims are treated with equality?" a Twitter user said.

Elibiary responded: "America and yes I do consider the United States of America an Islamic country with an Islamically compliant constitution. Move On!"

He also argued that "sociologically speaking" the Christian right is "similar" to the Muslim Brotherhood, the Washington Free Beacon first noted.

The DHS adviser was then bombarded with critical responses, many of them ugly. He was forced to clarify his position in detail:

Got new followers recently so resending out some disclaimers. 1. This is PERSONAL twitter acct, views expressed don't rep any org/grp/gov.

— Mohamed Elibiary (@MohamedElibiary)

November 1, 2013

2. RTs r things I find interesting, NOT endorsement. 3. Bandwidth permitting I try 2 respond as much as I can. 4. I do however READ al msgs.

— Mohamed Elibiary (@MohamedElibiary) November 1, 2013

5. Be civil & express ur views whether agree/NOT w/ ME 6. Being rude / slandering Islam/Prophet as if they're on trial gets 1 blocked. #FAIR

— Mohamed Elibiary (@MohamedElibiary)

November 1, 2013

7. I try to keep views shared a casual conversation, not too wonkish or too PC, so feel free 2share your honest views on any topic2 civilly.

— Mohamed Elibiary (@MohamedElibiary) November 1, 2013

8. While there'll be dogmatic activists who'll try 2 derail convos w/ shock jock articles, I expect misunderstandings 2 diminish over time.

— Mohamed Elibiary (@MohamedElibiary) November 1, 2013

9. As strong advocate of const rights, federalism &religious freedom I expect strong feelings on topics @ intersection of policy & politics.

— Mohamed Elibiary (@MohamedElibiary) November 1, 2013

10. I expect as proud Muslim, patriotic American & fmr Texas GOP official working #NatSec issues in bi-partisan manner will shock many. #End

— Mohamed Elibiary (@MohamedElibiary) November 1, 2013

Thx 2 the 1000s who expressed views on my America being an Islamic country tw. I hope it begins series of constructive dialogues moving fwd.

— Mohamed Elibiary (@MohamedElibiary) November 1, 2013

For my recent Twitter followers hatting on Islam, words from OUR commander in chief: "…The (cont) https://t.co/hb5fIYYlmP

— Mohamed Elibiary (@MohamedElibiary) November 1, 2013

The Free Beacon has more background on Elibiary:

This is not the first time that his tweets, which he says are his personal opinions, have become the subject of controversy.

Elibiary argued earlier this month that the Muslim Brotherhood is not a threat to the United States, according to the nonprofit Clarion Project, which has tracked and documented Elibiary’s online activity.

He also has called former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi “Egypt’s Mandela,” a reference to South Africa’s Nelson Mandela.

Elibiary has expressed great support for the Muslim Brotherhood, claiming in a recent interview with Clarion that the organization is “pragmatic” and “non-violent.”

Because of some of those views, Elibiary has many opponents who say he should not be in a DHS advisory role.

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