Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen criticized former Alabama Republican Party chairman John Wahl for recently attending a Ramadan interfaith dinner at the Anniston Islamic Center.
Allen and Wahl are two of the Republican candidates running to be Alabama's next Lieutenant Governor.
According to the Anniston Star, the Ramadan event in Anniston is an annual event that drew about 250 people in early March.
Allen said in a statement on Tuesday, "When John Wahl chose to enter an Islamic Center to celebrate the Muslim holiday of Ramadan earlier this month, he showed us that he does not share the same values as the majority of Alabamians. He can't spin this."
"There is no excuse for participating in the celebration of Islamic Ramadan. There is no excuse to go to a place that operates a mosque and a school to indoctrinate children into Islam, even if you are invited to do so," Allen said. "You will never find me in an Islamic Center or a mosque. I am a committed Christian. I want no part in Islam and the vast majority of Republicans in this state and across this country agree with me."
Wahl said in a response to 1819 News on Tuesday, "Once again, Wes Allen's campaign is resorting to false and misleading attacks in a desperate attempt to score cheap political points. I did not participate in any Ramadan celebrations."
"That accusation is nothing more than a political hit job designed to mislead voters. There were many Christian pastors, elected officials, and candidates in attendance at this event. Twisting this into an attack on my faith shows exactly what is wrong with politics today. There are far too many lies, intentional distortions, and a willingness to mislead voters rather than stand on the truth. America and Alabama deserve better. Here are the facts: I was invited by local officials and community leaders to attend what was presented as a community interfaith gathering. At no point did the invitation I received reference Ramadan," Wahl said. "I attended for one reason—to speak openly about my faith and the values that guide my life and public service."
"As a committed Christian, I will never hesitate to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ—anywhere, with anyone. Scripture calls us to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. That means showing up, engaging with others, and boldly sharing the hope of Christ with those who don't know Him. The suggestion that I somehow embrace Muslim values or Ramadan is not only false—it is absurd. Anyone familiar with my life, my record, and my service knows that my Christian faith is central to who I am. It is deeply troubling that Wes Allen would weaponize Christianity and attack someone for speaking about their faith. As believers, we are called to carry the Gospel into every corner of the world. I will never apologize for being a servant of Jesus Christ or for believing in the Great Commission to share the Gospel with all people."
Wahl continued, "Wes Allen's attempt to use my faith as a political weapon shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the Gospel. He claims that a 'committed Christian' stays away from those who believe differently. I would remind Wes that Jesus did not stay in the synagogue—He went to the well to speak to the Samaritan woman, He entered the homes of the rejected, and He commanded us to go into all the world."
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