CONGRESSIONAL Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) has refused to apologize for his inflammatory remarks made on Tampa radio station WFLA-AM July 15, where he urged the United States to "take out [Muslim] holy sites" in response to another terrorist attack on the U.S. When asked if he meant Mecca, Tancredo responded, "Yeah."

Arab Americans were stunned by the congressman's lack of sensitivity and his malicious remarks. Dr. Hussain Ibish, a fellow of the American Task Force for Palestine (ATFP) and executive director of the Hala Maksoud Foundation, told the Washington Report "Congressman Tancredo's remarks are a terrible mistake. His comments are malicious, provocative and will be interpreted terribly."

Noted Laila Al-Qatami, communications director for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), "Congressman Tancredo has refused to apologize. He has restated his comments and to the best of our knowledge he may advocate and support the dropping of a nuclear bomb on Mecca!"

On Wolf Blitzer's CNN show July 22, Arab American Institute (AAI) president James Zogby told Congressman Tancredo, "My fear is, that your words have consequences, and they're incitement."

Tancredo responded, "I hope so."

Zogby then asserted, "They're incitements. And they play badly around the world."

Tancredo replied, "I hope they have consequences. I hope people will talk about it. It's fine."

Ibish agreed that Tancredo's words will have consequencs: "His comments have infuriated American Arabs and the Muslim community. When prominent individuals such as the congressman make such a statement, they confirm the argument used by extremists that the U.S. is hostile to Islam and Muslims."

According to the Council of American Islamic Relations(CAIR), when attempts were made by Colorado Muslim groups to meet with the congressman, his office declined their request. Describing Tancredo's remarks as radical, Mohammad Noorzai, coordinator of the Colorado Muslim Council, went on to say that people in Tancredo's position need to watch their words when it comes to attacking sacred religious sites and sacred texts.

Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI) who is the dean of the House of Representatives, described Tancredo's comments as "ignorant" and "inexcusable" for a member of Congress.

Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean also issued an official statement denouncing Tancredo's remarks: "Congressman Tancredo certainly owes Muslims around the globe an immediate apology for his offensive remarks. At the same time, he also owes Americans an apology for projecting a message that goes against our values. With these remarks, Tancredo has been utterly careless with his responsibility for shaping our foreign policy." Warned Dean, "Tancredo's continued refusal to apologize poses a very real danger to our troops. President Bush should strongly condemn Tancredo's statement."

These condemnations haven't swayed Tancredo, however. He said on CNN: "So what if it plays badly? I am not here to make sure that the spin on what I say works out well, whether it's in my own district or around the world. I'm here to say what I believe is true and what I think we should do to protect this nation."

"Americans are quick to react to words of intolerance about the U.S.," noted Dr. Ibish, "but we often seem not to know or care when statements of hate and intolerance are made about Arabs, Muslims and Islam."

Congressman Tancredo is chairman of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus, which advocates sealing off the borders against illegal aliens and greatly reducing the number of people allowed to enter this country. He also plans to run for president in 2008.

Mai Abdul Rahman writes from Washington, DC.