For Immediate Release Contact: Chadwick Gore
March 18, 2014 (571) 471.0301
Falls Church, VA - Suzanne Scholte, the Republican candidate for Congress in the 11th District, is calling on her Democratic opponent to cancel a planned fundraising event with allies of the Muslim Brotherhood.
The Muslim Brotherhood has been on Egypt’s terrorism list since December and was added to Saudi Arabia’s list of terrorist groups just last week.
“Gerry Connolly’s decision to affiliate himself and his campaign with individuals linked to a terrorist organization is a new low, even for Mr. Connolly,” Scholte said. “Corruption in government is one thing. But ties to terrorism, especially when you represent a district right next to the Pentagon after September 11, 2001, are appalling.”
Recently, the Washington Free Beacon revealed that Connolly (D-Fairfax) will be the beneficiary of a fundraiser co-hosted by Akram Elzend and Sameh Elhennawy at the home of Mohamed Mohamed. Both Elzend and Elhennawy have ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
In addition to being labeled a terrorist organization by Middle-Eastern nations, the Muslim Brotherhood and another of Elzend’s organizations, Egyptian Americans for Democracy and Human Rights (EADHR), have been the nexus of anti-Semitism.
“It is disturbing and offensive that a U.S. Congressman would affiliate with leaders of these organizations,” Scholte said. “They said that Gerry Connolly abides by their values. Virginians in the 11th District, whether Christian, Muslim, Jew or any faith, do not support the radical agenda of the Muslim Brotherhood and EADHR who support terrorism and are anti-Semitic and anti-women.”
“As someone who has spent her entire career working for democracy and human rights, it’s disturbing to me that an anti-Semitic and anti-woman organization like EADHR would erroneously represent itself as a proponent of these values,” Scholte continued. “Members of Congress, especially one representing the diverse 11th District of Virginia, should instead be working to empower and help our Muslim brothers and sister who are truly working for democracy and human rights.”
Connolly’s fundraiser with the Muslim Brotherhood affiliates, raising between $150 and $400 per person, is scheduled for later this week.
“If Gerry Connolly truly wants to represent the people of this district, he should not only cancel this event with the Muslim Brotherhood affiliates, but condemn the terroristic, anti-Semitic, and anti-women views of these organizations. Otherwise, this gives us the best glimpse of who Gerry Connolly really represents and it is NOT us.” Scholte concluded.
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