A recent social media post by Randy Fine sparked widespread backlash after he said that if forced to choose, he would pick dogs over Muslims—calling it an “easy” choice. While the comment drew condemnation from many voices across the political spectrum, calls for censure or resignation have not resulted in any action so far.

In response, a recent op-ed addresses not only the harmful nature of the comment but also a common misconception that often fuels such rhetoric: the false claim that Islam teaches Muslims to hate dogs.

As the op-ed explains, “Muslims can own dogs. Muslims can love dogs. And kindness to animals is not optional in Islam. It is a moral obligation.”

The article clarifies that what is often misunderstood is the distinction in Islam between ritual practice and moral values. Some Muslims choose not to keep dogs inside their homes due to religious considerations related to prayer and ritual cleanliness—similar to dietary or purity practices found in other faith traditions. As the author writes, “That choice is… not about hatred, fear, or viewing dogs as lesser or evil.”

Ultimately, the op-ed warns that using animals as a rhetorical tool to attack Muslims does nothing to protect animals and instead fuels harmful stereotypes. As it concludes, “Mercy does not belong to one religion, but in Islam, mercy is absolutely at the heart of the story.”

👉 You can read the full op-ed here by clicking the link.