U.S. Senate holds hearing to protect Muslim-American rights

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings Tuesday morning on protecting the civil rights of Muslim Americans.

While expressing concern about cases of radicalization by Muslim Americans, Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-South Carolina, urged tolerance by people of all faiths.

"You know what does it mean to practice religion in America? Well, it means that I have to stand up for your right to pursue your religion because if I don't stand up for your right, you won't stand up for mine," Graham said.

Tuesday's session comes less than three weeks after emotional and contested hearings held by the House Homeland Security Committee about radicalization in the America's Muslim community.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison and a Somali-American Minneapolis man testified at those hearings. Unlike the House hearings, none of the witnesses at these hearings are from Minnesota.

Witnesses before the Senate's Judiciary Committee included both Muslim and Christian leaders, as well as top officials from the Justice Department.

Both of Minnesota's senators, Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, sit on the Judiciary Committee.

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