Religious leaders accuse Barbieri of fear-mongering

COEUR d'ALENE - A group of Idaho's religious leaders issued a press release Tuesday admonishing Rep. Vito Barbieri for what they say is fear-mongering.

Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, held an informational luncheon recently titled "The True Face of Islam in Idaho."

The guest speaker was Shahram Hadian, a former Muslim who converted to a Christian pastor and heads the "Truth in Love Project," in Chattaroy, Wash.

According to the Eye on Boise blog, Hadian spoke about "the true goal of Islam and threat of Shariah law in America."

"I was asked to come and just share about the advancement of Islam in Idaho ... the real face of Islam," Hadian told the audience of 15 legislators, according to the blog.

Three religious groups - Healing Our Future, Interfaith Equality Coalition and the Interfaith Alliance - comprised of 67 religious leaders say the luncheon was a simple attempt at fear-mongering against Muslims.

"As people of faith and conscience and as citizens of Idaho, it is heartbreaking for us to see a lack of understanding, fear, and suspicion of unfamiliar faiths and refugees," their release said. "The recent luncheon hosted by Rep. Vito Barbieri titled 'The True Face of Islam' is a glaring example of this kind of ignorance and fear-mongering.

"There are many issues that require our time, money, and attention in this state," the release continued. "Keeping out Muslims is not one of them."

Barbieri said he wasn't fear-mongering at all.

"I held the lunch to gather information about foreign jurisprudence," he said. "That is not fear-mongering."

He said there are concerns among some of his constituents that Shariah law is gaining a foothold in western law.

"The question is: Is Shariah law a threat to American jurisprudence?" he said, adding there are some who feel it is a threat.

"We are just fact-finding," Barbieri said, adding he may propose legislation next year based on what he finds.

The religious leaders are concerned that Barbieri may be discriminating against one single religion.

"As long as any religion or faith group is singled out and discriminated against, every faith is in danger of the same," the release said. "We find this unacceptable and offensive."