Muslim Candidate Accuses Christian Opponent of Spreading 'Vile Lies' in Tennessee Commissioner Race
A Muslim candidate running for commissioner in Coffee County, Tennessee claims his Republican opponent has spread false rumors regarding his patriotism and religion.
Zak Mohyuddin, an engineer and 25-year resident of Tullahoma, says the claims made by his Republican opponent for Coffee County commissioner are "offensive and completely untrue." Mohyuddin, who is running as a Democrat, has decried statements made in a letter sent to voters by his opponent, Commissioner Mark Kelly, earlier in July.
In the letter, Kelly reportedly claims that Mohyuddin had "expressed his beliefs publicly" that "the American flag should be removed from public buildings because it is a symbol of tyranny and oppression; that public prayer should be banned because it insults non-Christians; and that the Bible should be removed from public places," according to The Tullahoma News. In the letter, Kelly also points to his own Christian values and his belief that the Bible "belongs in public places."
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Mohyuddin has denied Kelly's claims, arguing that the Republican commissioner is simply trying to gain votes by making up "pure lies." Although the two candidates have known each other for 25 years, Mohyuddin argues that the two are not friends, while Kelly claims he has heard Mohyuddin express his opinions on religious freedom and patriotism in private conversations on a walking trail near the candidates' work.
"That is a very serious allegation. What he is saying is vile and offensive and completely untrue," Mohyuddin told The Tennessean. "It's an attack on my patriotism. I have never ever said any words even close to that in public or in private. It is absolute lies. It's not like he doesn't know me."
The Tennessean reports that Kelly has been unable to point to any specific examples of when Mohyuddin has spoken about religious freedom in the public square or his patriotism.
Kelly continues to stand by his letter, sent to District 15's conservative voters on July 16. Kelly told WSMV-TV in a recent interview that the letter "wasn't meant to be offensive in any way."
"All I'm trying to do is make sure there is an understanding that we have two people with two different sets of views and I don't know where the voters stand on it," Kelly added.
The commissioner maintains that the letter is about votes and not religion, telling The Tennessean that the point of the letter is to "encourage the conservative base to get out and vote. It was simply to show the difference in views between two people, not that one is right or wrong, just a difference."
Mohyuddin told The Tullahoma News that those who agree with the contents of Kelly's letter probably already have their minds made up on voting anyway. "I'm not running [for office] because of my faith, and that distinction is important," the candidate said.
"I'm running because of the things I want to do for the community, and I believe any reasonable person will be able to see that, if they really look."
Mohyuddin added to WSMV-TV that Kelly's letter is a "cut-and-dry example of how some people stir up fears of religious differences for personal gain."
Early voting for the District 15 commissioner race began last Friday.
