The Christian Coalition of Alabama released a statement Friday condemning “anti-muslim rhetoric” from Secretary of State Wes Allen levied against John Wahl, his Republican opponent for lieutenant governor.
Allen criticized Wahl for attending an interfaith event held at the Anniston Islamic Center earlier this month. Allen attested that he himself would never enter an Islamic center or mosque and stated there is “no excuse” for such participation.
“The Christian Coalition finds (these remarks) deeply troubling and theologically indefensible,” the group said in its statement Friday.
“As Christians, we are commanded to share our faith and love with all people across the globe,” said Randy Brinson, president of the Christian Coalition of Alabama. “It is only through the expression of our love — which is ultimately derived from our salvation through Jesus Christ — that we can share our faith and Biblical truths to those who may believe otherwise, regardless of their faith, whether Jewish, Muslim, or secular.”
The group went further to say that Allen’s declaration “stands in direct contradiction to the example of Jesus Christ, who crossed every religious and cultural boundary of his day to share the truth of the Gospel.”
The group is asking Allen to retract his statements and apologize to the state’s Muslim community, and further calls on the Alabama Republican Party and the Republican National Committee to “repudiate this rhetoric, which does not represent the values of Alabama Christians or the teachings of Jesus Christ.”
Allen is not the only Republican who has leaned into anti-Muslim rhetoric; it is becoming a broader trend nationwide.
“Alabamians of all faiths deserve political leaders who govern with integrity and respect — not candidates who weaponize religion to divide voters and win elections,” the Christian Coalition said in its release. “We call on Christians across Alabama to join us in denouncing this kind of rhetoric wherever it appears.”
