It appears a new front may be opening in the culture wars.
It’s no secret that many Muslims do not share Americans’ — or members of many other cultures’ — affection for dogs. In the Islamic religion, dogs are considered to be unclean or “haram.”
Last week, pro-Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani, a major supporter of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, posted a very troubling message on X. She declared that, “Finally, NYC is coming to Islam. Dogs definitely have a place in society, just not as indoor pets. Like we’ve said all along, they are unclean.”
I find her remarks offensive, and I know I’m not alone. My dogs bring me immense joy. They aren’t just pets — they’re members of my family.
GOP Rep. Randy Fine (FL) took offense at Kiswani’s post and shot back, “If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one.”
Judging from the huge number of likes Fine’s response received, many people agreed with him.
Naturally, Fine’s post didn’t sit well with the Left. CNN’s Jake Tapper called Fine’s remarks “disgusting bigotry,” which turned out to be the buzzwords handed down from DNC Central in response to Fine’s remarks.
Next, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) weighed in: “We must call this what it is. Disgusting bigotry. Fine must be censured. It’s about morality and decency, not politics.”
Fresh off her great humiliation at the Munich Security Conference, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) said Fine’s statement was “one of the most disgusting” she has “ever seen issued by an American official.” She added that he “should be censured and stripped of committees.”
Cenk Uygur followed:
Imagine what would happen if anyone in politics or media said, “If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Jews is not a difficult one.” Now watch what happens to Randy Fine after saying it about Muslims. Absolutely nothing. Bigotry doesn’t matter, only antisemitism.
This faux outrage from the Left is political theater. The expectation that a nation should fundamentally alter long-standing cultural norms to accommodate newcomers is a bridge too far. Our customs and social fabric have developed over centuries, shaping who we are as a people. And dogs have been a major part of our lives throughout.
Although it’s amazing that a Muslim would immigrate to America and utter such a presumptuous statement, the idea of creating dog-free zones is currently under consideration in England where dogs have been an important part of the culture for even longer.
Over a year ago, The Telegraph reported:
The Welsh Government has been advised to create dog-free zones to help make the outdoors “anti-racist.” Labour’s devolved administration has pledged to rid Wales of racism by 2030, and set out a plan to ensure “all areas” of public life were transformed.
The idea of banning dogs from public spaces was floated in Spain last year as well.
In earlier waves of immigration, newcomers saw learning English and participating fully in American public life as essential steps toward opportunity and belonging. The emphasis on shared language, civic engagement, and cultural participation was important to them. They wanted to become Americans.
The opposite is true with the majority of recent immigrants, many of whom are more interested in recreating the lives they lived in their countries of origin than in assimilating into our culture. This has resulted in a culture clash and it is diminishing the greatness of America.
Unfortunately, their resistance is aided and abetted by Democratic politicians whose sole interest is to create a new dependent class of voters to help them maintain power for years to come.
I’m with Randy Fine on this one. Leave our dogs alone. If you are offended by dogs, go live in a Muslim country.
UPDATE, February 20, 4 a.m.
Rep. Fine introduced new legislation on Thursday: The Protecting Puppies from Sharia Act
Elizabeth writes commentary for Legal Insurrection and The Washington Examiner. She is an academy fellow at The Heritage Foundation. Please follow Elizabeth on X or LinkedIn.
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