U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr. faced strong criticism for his anti-Arab remarks.
According to Reuters report on October 27th, Kennedy claimed at a campaign event in Michigan on the 26th that Arabs have never received any significant international awards, and have also 'not produced' any scientific or literary achievements.
The world has 500 million Arabs, but they haven't created scientific achievements; they haven't won a Nobel Prize; they haven't won a Fields Medal; they haven't won a Wolf Prize; and they haven't even written any literary works. Kennedy said.
Reports indicate that Kennedy's statements are clearly inconsistent with the facts. Arabs have actually won all of the aforementioned awards.
The American Council on Islam (CAIR) issued a statement on the 27th, condemning Kennedy's remarks as "a typical example of naked racism and prejudice."
He did so by sweeping generalizations that erased the contributions of Arab people to human civilization. Not only was this a malicious distortion of facts, but it also further inflamed anti-Arab and anti-Muslim hatred in already vulnerable communities who were already experiencing bias and discrimination from other public officials across the nation. The organization said.
American non-profit healthcare advocacy organization ‘Protect Our Care’ also dismissed Kennedy’s remarks as ‘an extreme racist tirade’.
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy warned, “I truly believe that everyone needs to pay attention to this organized effort. It attempts to deny American Muslims their legitimate identity as citizens, and even more so, as human beings.”
Reuters pointed out that as the U.S. midterm elections approach, Trump and his allies have escalated their offensive remarks against Muslims, Arabs, immigrants, and minorities, which has caused concerns among American civil rights groups.
Michigan State Senatorial Candidate El-Said has been the target of several attacks. Republicans previously alleged, without any evidence, that he had connections with the Muslim Brotherhood, but El-Said has publicly denied any ties to that organization.
In his speech on the 26th, Kennedy blamed what he called the "scientific and cultural decline" of the Arab world on Muslim Brotherhood organizations, claiming they had "destroyed all these traditions," created "stagnant societies," filled with "hatred, war, and victim mentality."
In the face of external dissatisfaction, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has not responded to requests for comment.
