By Richard Yeakley

WASHINGTON (RNS) On the eve of a controversial congressional hearing into the “radicalization” of American Muslims, a coalition of national Muslim groups went on the offensive against the Republican congressman spearheading the probe.

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, has said law enforcement officials have told him that Muslims do not cooperate with counterterrorism investigations, and he intends to find out why.

But a coalition of seven Muslim groups and the ACLU strongly challenged that accusation at a media conference at the National Press Club on Wednesday (March 9).

“These hearings are nothing but a political stunt by Rep. King, who is well known for his flagrant anti-Muslim sentiments,” said Naeem Baig, vice president of the Islamic Circle of North America. “Rep. King must stop capitalizing on the rise of Islamophobia and xenophobia fueling the anti-Islamic rhetoric that is being spewed across the country and within the GOP.”

The groups also denounced King’s contention that the vast majority of American mosques are led by Islamic extremists.

“There is also no denying that – except for a tiny minority – violent extremists have not found fertile ground in America,” said Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “The leaders and members of our community deserve a share of the credit for this.”

For several weeks, King’s hearings have prompted rallies and letters of protest from Muslims and other religious leaders.

However, there are a few voices speaking out in favor of the hearing.

Ruth Marcus, a columnist for the Washington Post, said Wednesday that King was asking fair questions. “Yes, there are other sources of terrorism. Radical Islam is the biggest and most dangerous. And, yes, King is a flawed questioner. But the question he poses is an appropriate – and important – one,” Marcus said.

The American Center for Law and Justice, a conservative group, also voiced support for King’s hearing. “Without question, there’s a troubling factual pattern of American Muslims becoming radicalized and focusing on creating havoc here on U.S. soil,” the ACLJ said.

The hearing will begin Thursday at 9:30 a.m.