When Rev. John Hagee, the McCain supporter who said God created Hurricane Katrina to punish New Orleans for its homosexual "sins", not many in the media questioned him and McCain did not feel the need to comment on his statement. Well now Rev. Rod Parsley, the televangelist mega-church pastor from Ohio has been embraced by the Republican nominee. Parsley is promoting hate and  Islamophobia. According to David Corn of Mother Jones, Parsley has called on Christians in America to wage war against Islam, which he considers to be a "false religion." In the past, Parsley has also railed against the separation of church and state, homosexuals, and abortion rights, comparing Planned Parenthood to Nazis. Parsley believes that America was given to white Christians primarily to destroy Islam.

John McCain actively sought and received Parsley's endorsement in the presidential race. McCain has called Parsley "a spiritual guide,". Giving Mr. McCain the benefit of the doubt it is not certain whether he shares Parsley's vicious anti-Islamic views but at the same we cannot be sure  because the mainstream media refuses to ask.

But we cannot tolerate silence in the face of such blatant disregard of the founding principals of this nation. A Presidential candidate is openly embracing a religious figure who is promoting hate against 8 million Muslims in America and Muslims around the world. Many Muslim groups and organizations have not focused on this issue. If this is unchallenged, McCain's election will give strength to Parsley and Hagee and impact the domestic policies towards Muslims and the civil liberties of all Americans.

What Parsley is saying is very clear. Don't let Islam take roots in America. Don't let Muslims be pat of this country. How many other groups of people is Mr. Parsley proposing to exclude from the American fabric?.

Muslim Americans and Interfaith leadership must write to the McCain campaign demanding an explanation of his endorsement of Parsley and Hagee. We have the following questions for McCain and all others who are seeking the office.

1. Do they believe that Islam is a threat to world civilization?

2. Do they believe that Muslim Americans promote violence?

3. Do they believe that Islam is a satanic cult?

4. Do they believe that Muslims are pagans or infidels?

5. Do they believe that America was established to destroy Islam?

6. Would they use their office to promote the agenda of Parsley and Hagee?

7. Would they attend churches that promote these types of ideas?

8. Would they use their office to discriminate against Muslims and other groups?

9. Do they consider Islam a mainstream American religion?

We must send these questions to every candidate running for Presidency, senate and congress and house assembly and senate etc. We should not take this type of attack lightly because it is due to a lack of measurable response against such bigotry that ignorance about Islam has taken hold in our country. The ignorance of the last eight years has led this country to elect a president who has been speaking the language of religious leaders like Falwell and Robertson.

Those Muslim Americans who are part of the Republican party must raise these issues with their party bosses. Additionally, Muslims must be prepared to take these questions to the Republican and Democratic Party conventions to seek clarification from the candidates and their supporters.

Silence is not an option we can afford for the future of our children and the greater wellbeing of our country.

Contact John McCain Campaign

Dr. Aslam Abdullah is Editor-in-Chief of the Muslim Observer, director of the Islamic society of Nevada, Las Vegas and acting president of the Muslim Council of America, a Washington-based newly formed groups of Muslim activists.