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The Tarrant County Republican Party is scheduled to decide Thursday to keep Shahid Shafi, who was named vice president of the county GOP in July. Its ratification received almost unanimous support from the group's executive committee.
The only dissident, however, created a small group that introduced a motion to oust Shafi, told CNN Jeremy Bradford, executive director of the Tarrant County GOP. Tarrant County includes the city of Forth Worth.
According to sources within the party, the dissident is Dorrie O. Brien, who has openly expressed his comments on Facebook about his concerns regarding Shafi's religion.
"We do not think he's qualified as a practicing Muslim vice-president, because he would represent ALL Tarrant County Republicans, and all the Republicans of Tarrant County do not think that the Islam is safe or acceptable in the United States, in Tarrant County and in the TCGOP, and great questions remain about Shafi's loyalty to the policies of Democrats and Republicans, "said O & # Brien on Facebook.
CNN contacted O & # 39; Brien, but she declined to comment.
Darl Easton, chairman of the Tarrant County GOP, said that he had appointed Shafi to the position after observing his work in an outreach committee and a campaign committee .
"When the time came to appoint vice presidents, the choice was automatic," Easton said.
Easton said that although religion is an essential factor for some party members, it is not for him.
"I'm at his side," said Easton. "I do not doubt his allegiance, this is not a radical jihadist or a terrorist, I think he is more dedicated to the party than many who ask for his resignation."
Shafi, a trauma surgeon father, American citizen and immigrant from India, said the group claiming his ouster was working against American values and the Republican party.
"What we can not, and do not do, is discriminatory against a specific person based on their religion, caste, religion, color, ethnicity or country of origin. Our party has very specific rules that prohibit religious discrimination, our country has specific rules and our constitution prohibits it, "Shafi told CNN in December. "So when this controversy broke out because of a small number of people lying on the periphery of our party, it's really – they are not doing our party a favor."
Shafi's support within the Republican Party has been widespread. .
"Freedom of religion is at the heart of our national identity," Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a statement, according to the Dallas Morning News. "And the attacks on Dr. Shafi because of his faith are contrary to this guiding principle."
Senator Ted Cruz tweeted his support in December.
"Discrimination against Dr. Shafi, because he is Muslim, wrong.The Constitution prohibits any religious test for the exercise of public office and the First Amendment protects freedom religious for all religions, the Lincoln Party should welcome everyone and celebrate freedom. "
George P. Bush, grandson of George HW Bush and the Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office encouraged people to vote to keep Shafi.
"I again urge my friends from the Tarrant County Republican Party to take the measures that impose and vote to support Shahid Shafi as the party's vice president Religious Criteria are fake that they occur in my party or in the Democratic senators who have questioned the ability of Catholic judges to remain impartial.What matters is the character, judgment and values of Shafiid Shafi has the three. "
In an open letter, Shafi said that he was confident in the" fundamental sense of fairness "of the Tarrant County Government and has called dubious people to "establish trust by breaking bread with our neighbors who do not look like us and do not speak with an accent."
"A nation divided by hatred and fear weakens us and our enemies stronger "he wrote. "It is through inclusion, not exclusion, that we can build strong communities, where neighbors will trust and protect themselves, and where our enemies can not find refuge."
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