by Javier Manjarres

The Republican Party is close to reading on to its local Broward Republican rolls a new Muslim member, as Nezar Hamze, the controversial Florida director of  the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), has submitted his formal application to become a member of the Broward Republican Executive Committee (BREC).  Hamze is confirming that his application has been received and is being reviewed by BREC chairman Richard DeNapoli and Vice Chairwoman Colleen Stolberg.

“I spoke with DeNapoli earlier this week. He said that Colleen handles the application process to join BREC.  He told me that he would have her call me if there is any problems. Regarding the charter, haven’t got that far yet. I believe I need to join Brec first right?”-Nezar Hamze, FL Director-CAIR

Hamze also added that he has been talking up the possibility of a Muslim Republican Club and has been receiving “a lot of support” due to the “massive constituency” that supports his cause. The story has grown legs and is now receiving national attention after Salon.com posted two stories about the possible Muslim-Republican union. Read more here: Salon

This story was first reported a couple weeks back after a local pro-Israel activist announced at the Fort Lauderdale Tea party meeting  Hamze’s intentions to join the local Republican party of Broward.  Hamze confirmed the activist’s claim that he had approached Chairman DeNapoli about joining  the Committee and added that he was also looking to start the first Republican Muslim club. The local Republican Party has acknowledged its need to reach out to Jewish constituents by supporting its Broward Republican Jewish Outreach group that meets monthly, so the door has been opened for a possible Muslim Republican Outreach group or club.

“Hamze said that he spoke to Broward GOP Chairman Richard DeNapoli about his intentions and indicated that DeNapoli did not deny him the opportunity to start an Islamic-Republican club or join the committee.  Hamze is best known for his confrontation with Congressman Allen West earlier this year during which he questioned West with a Koran in hand asking him to point out verses in the Koran where it tells believers to “kill Americans”.

Hamze considers himself as being ‘very conservative’ and believes his political views are in-line with the Republican party’s political platform. The local GOP Chairman ran for his current position on a ‘GOP Unity’ platform, and said he would work with ‘all’ Republicans in the county.  The ‘big tent’ Broward Republican party already has a religion-based club/coalition, named the Broward Republican Jewish Outreach.”-The Shark Tank

The real controversy is not the fact that Hamze is Muslim, but that the organization that employs him (CAIR) was named as a unindicted co-conspirator in the famed Holy Land Foundation federal investigation several years back in Dallas, Texas. The Holy Land Foundation turned out to have been a front organization for the Terrorist organization Hamas.  CAIR denies having any ties to Hamas, the  Muslim Brotherhood, or an other terror organizations. However many feel that where there’s smoke there is fire, and believe that CAIR  is actually fronting for one, if not all of these known terror organizations.

According to the Republican guidelines that all existing members have met to become members, Hamze needs only sign a loyalty oath to the Republican Party, and prove that he is a registered Republican. Hamze is planning to attend the September meeting of the Broward Republican Party where he will most likely be read on to the rolls, barring any unforeseen ‘problems.’

UPDATE: Nezar Hamze has issued the following statement: “I am employed by CAIR Florida not CAIR in DC. CAIR FLORIDA has never been named in any case.”