Muslim groups condemn posts by pastor of Georgia polling-place church

The Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Georgia Muslim Voter Project condemned social media posts by Alan Smith, pastor of The Church at Decatur Heights in Decatur, Georgia, Rough Draft reported November 3. The church is a polling place for the day’s election.

In an emailed statement, the groups said the posts disparaged Muslim religious expression and Muslim candidates, and urged voters to oppose Muslims’ growing presence in American society. They said a polling place should provide a safe, neutral and welcoming environment for every eligible voter, and encouraged people to vote regardless of the rhetoric.

CAIR-Georgia executive director Azka Mahmood said bigotry should not discourage people from exercising their rights or participating in civic life.

A Rough Draft reporter who visited the church around 11 a.m. reported that exiting voters described short lines and no signs of voter-suppression tactics. A poll watcher said she had seen no incidents of malfeasance that morning. Rough Draft said it had sought further comment from Smith and the two organizations.