Colorado Dems’ Muslim-Only Internship Ad Sparks Equal Protection Debate

2 min read

A recent internship advertisement posted by Colorado Democrats has ignited a debate over religious and ethnic exclusivity in public service. The ad, issued by the MENASA & Muslim Joint Legislative Caucus, specifies that applicants must identify as Muslim and/or Middle Eastern, North African, or South Asian. This requirement has drawn sharp criticism for its apparent violation of the principle of equal treatment under the law.

American Anti-Discrimination Law in Question

The ad has been scrutinized for its exclusion of other religious and ethnic groups, raising concerns about the application of American anti-discrimination law. Courts have long treated such barriers with skepticism, as the state is expected to remain neutral among citizens. The internship, funded by the Colorado legislature, is seen as a government-adjacent program that filters candidates based on faith, ethnicity, race, and ancestry.

Religious and Political Implications

Religious scholars have pointed out that the ad reflects a deeper religious layer, rooted in the concept of the Ummah—the global Muslim community. This communal identity often shapes political engagement and voting patterns, prioritizing the interests of the Muslim community over those of other religious groups. The ad is not merely a personal choice, but a reflection of a communal Muslim preference in public institutions.

Equal Protection and the Principle of Inclusion

The language of diversity and inclusion has come under scrutiny, as it is selectively applied to privilege certain religious or ethnic constituencies. Inclusion becomes a synonym for exclusion once the approved identities are named and the disapproved ones are barred. The same Muslim officials who would denounce a Christian-only internship now defend a Muslim-only one as equity, raising questions about the true meaning of equal treatment.

Broader Implications for Western Democracies

Islam, as a religiopolitical ideology, extends religious principles into public institutions and political governance. This can lead to the exploitation of Western democratic freedoms and protections, challenging the principles upon which those freedoms rest. Western democracies were designed to treat citizens as individuals equal under the law, regardless of their faith.

Call for Rejection of Un-American Practices

The internship ad, though small in dollar terms, is large in principle. It normalizes the idea that government offices may sort applicants by religion and ancestry when the sorting favors the right groups. This sets a dangerous precedent that could lead to a permanent contest of religious and ethnic favoritism dressed up as representation. The un-American choice made by Colorado Democrats should be named, criticized, and rejected.

Source: Daily Wire

Written by

Connor Davis