A Texas imam invited to pray before Congress is facing backlash on Capitol Hill after celebrating Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death in a social media post that wished him “an eternity in ruins” over his support for Israel.

Local Angle

Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, plans to introduce a resolution that would formally condemn Omar Suleiman, the president and co-founder of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, near Dallas.

Suleiman was invited by former Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, to deliver the opening prayer in the House chamber in May 2019. He has a history of controversial remarks, including calling for a third Intifada — a phrase widely interpreted as calling for violence against Israel and Jews — and claiming that Zionists are “enemies of God”.

Condemnation

Van Duyne said Congress must condemn Suleiman’s incendiary message, pointing to his 2019 opening prayer before the House, which he delivered at Democrats’ invitation. “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 Digital.

The resolution alleges that Suleiman has “defended convicted terrorists” and traveled to Turkey to support members of the Muslim Brotherhood, who are banned from traveling to the United States.

Van Duyne argued the vitriol from some progressive commentators and left-wing activists reflects a broader decline in civility. “The words are getting more hateful,” the Texas Republican told Fox News Digital. “The call for violence is getting more dangerous.”

Response

Suleiman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Texas imam was not alone in celebrating Graham’s death, but Van Duyne said his remarks were particularly troubling given his position as a religious leader.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.