Randy Fine's tweet comparing Muslims to dogs is ugly, racist and dehumanizing thing to say. Comments like that only inflame hate and make things worse, not better. Image: Social media
US Rep. Randy Fine is a Jewish lawmaker from Florida 6th District wants to make it a hate crime and put you in prison for 5 years if you criticize Israel. Later he posted on X, "If they force us to choose the choice between dogs and Muslims, the choice is not a difficult one." In other words, he would rather insult 2 billion Muslims than insult a single dog.
Imagine if a Muslim lawmaker like Ilhan Omar or Rashida Tlaib would have said this about Jews or any other group. The headlines would be screaming for weeks. The double standards are deafening. No outrage expressed by mainstream media, no call for censure, and no call for an apology to Muslims for comparing them to dogs. X would have suspended Omar and Tlaib permanently faster than you can say sticks and bricks.
Muslims should not be fair game by bigoted politicians! Fine is still a member of US Congress and still promoting hatred and bigotry on X about Palestine and Muslims. I urge other politicians and lawmakers not to use Muslims or other minorities as “punching bags” in the hope of getting votes and campaign donations. Hate crimes against Muslims include violence, intimidation, and vandalism, with mosques frequently targeted tend to increase whenever public officials insult Muslims. Targeting Muslims contribute to create a climate of fear and suspicion surrounding Muslims.
And I am Muslim. If I posted this and replaced “Muslim” with “Jewish”, which I don’t do, I would be expelled from the UN and suspended on X in one second. Randy is still a member of the US Congress and still promoting hatred and bigotry on X. Here are few examples to which he was never held accountable by Congress or X:
* Randy Fine issued an open threat to the two Muslim Congresswomen, Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar. With a 'Bombs Away' hashtag, Fine wrote, “The Hebrew Hammer is coming.” Fine, who is Jewish, wrote in a post on X, “[Rashida Tlaib] and [Ilhan Omar] might consider leaving before I get there.”
* He was the only American to celebrate the murder of Turkish American human rights activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, 26, by the IDF in the West Bank on September 6, 2024, when he tweeted on Sep. 7, "One less Muslim Terrorist. Fire away!" Fine has no shame so he can't be shamed. It is rather odd that Fine, who is a Harvard graduate, will make such a tweet.
* During the height of the Israel genocide in Gaza, Fine tweeted, "There is no suffering adequate for those animals. May the streets of Gaza overflow with blood." Imagine a Muslim posting, "Too bad Hitler never finished the job!"
Instead of calling himself the "Hebrew Hammer," it would be more accurate if he called himself the "Jewish Elephant." That way, it would sound more Republican and less threatening. I would call him an "ugly Jew," but that too may sound harsh. As of this writing, neither Twitter nor US Congress has taken an action against Fine's hate and fearmongering remarks against Muslims.
This is inappropriate, offensive, and unbefitting of a public servant. I should note here that Fine is a Republican activist & former gambling industry executive.
Last but not least, I would like to inform Randy Fine and other bigots like him that Muslims do not hate dogs or call for a ban on them to be domesticated animals. In fact, here is what the Qur'an say about Dogs.
* The Qur'an never ordered Muslims to ban or avoid dogs. It speaks of them in a neutral or positive context.
* Hunting dogs are permitted. It is lawful for Muslims to eat what hunting dogs catch for them. Qur'an: 5:4
* The Companions of the Cave were accompanied by their dog. "Their dog stretched out its forelegs at the entrance." Allah mentioned the dog without any condemnation. (Qur'an 18:18, 18:22)
* In conclusion, the Qur'an shows dogs as companions and helpers. No verse bans owning, touching, or befriending them.
That said, the message to Randy Fine is he is a notorious liar. Shame on him and shame on those people who support his absolute nonsense against the estimated 3.45 million Muslims who call America home, according to the Pew Research Center.
Yes, dogs are faithful animals, but Randy Fine is a dirty pig.
Mahmoud El-Youseph is a Palestinian freelance writer and retired U.S. Air Force veteran. He writes on U.S. foreign policy, Middle East affairs, and justice. Email: elyousseph6@yahoo.com
