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A fiery exchange between US Congressman Brandon Gill and British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan has sparked widespread controversy over cultural tolerance and Islamophobia in America. The debate erupted after Hasan defended the Islamic call to prayer (Azaan), saying, “If you can have your church bells, we can have our Islamic prayer call.” 

The confrontation began when Hasan, Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Zeteo and a former Al Jazeera journalist, emphasised that Muslims in the US are as American as anyone else and deserve the same religious freedoms as Christians. His statement quickly drew criticism from Republican Congressman Brandon Gill, who accused Hasan of trying to “transform the landscape of American public life.”

Hasan fired back by highlighting the Indian-American roots of Gill’s wife, saying, “Your wife is an Indian American, the daughter of an Indian immigrant.” The remark appeared to challenge Gill’s anti-immigrant tone.

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Congressman’s Controversial Reply

In response, Gill lashed out, saying his wife was a Christian who did not want to hear Hasan’s “oppressive Muslim prayer call.” He then added, “If you want to live in a Muslim country, go back to the UK.” 

This was not Gill’s first controversial statement. The Texas Congressman previously targeted Indian-origin Democrat Zohran Mamdani, a New York mayoral candidate, mocking a video of Mamdani eating rice with his hands. Gill wrote, “Civilised people in America don’t eat like this. If you refuse to adopt Western customs, go back to the Third World.”

Social Media Backlash 

Gill’s remarks ignited a social media backlash, with critics pointing out the irony of his stance given that he is married to Danielle D’Souza Gill, the Indian-American daughter of conservative commentator Dinesh D’Souza. 

Amid the criticism, Danielle D’Souza Gill distanced herself from Indian traditions, stating, “I did not grow up eating rice with my hands and have always used a fork. I’m a Christian MAGA patriot. My father’s extended family in India are also Christian and they use forks too.”

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