Just days before the fifteenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America, Pembroke Pines Commissioner Jay Schwartz wants to discuss the creation of a “Muslim Heritage Month.” Schwartz put the item on the agenda for tonight’s commission meeting. He included a resolution from the School Board of Broward County which created the “Muslim Heritage Month” in local schools.
The School Board resolution reads, “Although American Muslims within Broward County strive to promote peace and understanding between all faiths, identities and nationalities while upholding those values and principles that define the American people, they have nonetheless been forced too endure harassment, assault and discrimination since the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.”
In March, REDBROWARD reported Schwartz attended several EMERGE USA PAC events in 2015 and a August 2016 candidate forum at a Sunrise mosque. Schwartz spoke at a 2015 including a Ramadan dinner celebration. According to one published report, Schwartz spoke about “changing” America at a February 2015 EMERGE USA event. Schwartz said, ““[T]here’s a group of people, in this room, who are changing America as we know it, and that’s a great thing… If there’s anything I can do to help the cause, I’m a phone call away.”
It’s clear the tone-deaf Schwartz is no stranger when it comes to pandering to local Muslim groups. But why bring this agenda item up so close to the 9/11 anniversary? Does Schwartz want to distract residents from remembering ties between terrorists and a Pembroke Pines mosque? Muslim civil rights groups like CAIR regularly discusses attacks on innocent American Muslims, but last time we checked, Pembroke Pines is not a hotbed of anti-Muslim violence.
If Jay Schwartz wants Pines residents to spend money on making May 2017 “American Muslim Heritage Month” that’s his business. But bringing it up on September 7th smells like pure politics and pandering. And, as we reported last month, Jay Schwartz loves to play politics.
