Ill. (Republican) lawmaker apologizes for (Islam) 'savage religion' comment [View All]

Source: Chicago Trib

Rep. Don Manzullo, who opposes the idea of moving terrorism suspects to Thomson Correctional Center in his northern Illinois district, issued a qualified apology today after a comment that critics viewed as insulting to Islam.

In an interview with television station WREX in Rockford that was aired Monday, the Illinois Republican said of terrorism suspects: "These are really, really mean people whose job it is to kill people, driven by some savage religion."

An aide said Tuesday that Manzullo received about 20 complaints about the remark.

In a statement, Manzullo said he was not referring generally to Islam, but to terrorists who "believe and practice a violent, anti-modernity version of Wahhabism in which they seek to impose a new caliphate, similar to the extent of the Ottoman Empire during the Middle Ages, and sharia law stretching from Indonesia to Europe."

He said Islam is a "religion of peace" and that the vast majority of its adherents are "men and women of good will."

Read more: http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/11/ill-lawmaker-apologizes-for-savage-religion-comment.html