Washington (CNN) -- Leading American Muslims on Wednesday strongly criticized this week's planned congressional hearing into the alleged radicalization of members of their community, calling it an unfair attack on loyal citizens and a dangerous break from the traditional U.S. embrace of tolerance and pluralism. 

Rep. Peter King, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, has said Thursday's hearing is necessary to explore the extent to which al Qaeda is trying to influence and indoctrinate U.S. Muslims, among other things. But his plans have created an uproar, with critics accusing Republican leaders of bigotry and comparing the hearings to Sen. Joseph McCarthy's allegations of Communist infiltration in the early years of the Cold War. 

American Muslim leaders have also taken issue with King's assertion that they haven't sufficiently cooperated with law enforcement officials, and dismissed his claim that the overwhelming majority of mosques are run by extremist imams. Such claims are "demonstrably false," said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). 

"Except for a tiny minority," extremists have found "no fertile ground in America," he said. He said King is engaged in "fear-mongering," and called the New York Republican "unfit" to head the Homeland Security Committee. 

"We are not in denial as a community that something is going on, that there are bad actors in every community," said Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, a member of the Council of Muslim Organizations. King is "onto something, but he is going in the wrong direction." 

And Attorney General Eric Holder weighed in as well, disputing King's premise that Islamic leaders haven't done enough to help police during a news conference Wednesday afternoon. 
Who condemned this week's planned congressional hearing?
Why?
Anything else?
Who is the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee?
Are American Muslims in agreement with King's views?
What does King believe is happening?
Who is accusing Republican leaders of bigotry?
Who do they think Rep. King's hearings are similar to?
What did he believe?
When was McCarthy's situation relevant?
Is there any truth to Peter's claims of Muslims infiltrating America for wrong doing?
How much?
Does the Muslim community completely disagree with King?
How do they feel?
Who does King say is running most of the mosques?
Who is Nihad Awad?
What does he say of these claims?
Who else had something to say about King's views?
Who is he?
Does support King's claim about Islamic leaders dropping the ball?
American Muslims
Leading American Muslims on Wednesday strongly criticized this week's planned congressional hearing 
It is an unfair attack on loyal citizens
calling it an unfair attack on loyal citizens and a dangerous break from the traditional U.S. embrace of tolerance and pluralism. 
a break from US tolerance and pluralism
alling it an unfair attack on loyal citizens and a dangerous break from the traditional U.S. embrace of tolerance and pluralism. 
Rep. Peter King
Rep. Peter King, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee
No.
American Muslim leaders have also taken issue with King's assertion
The al Qaeda is trying to influence U.S. Muslims.
 explore the extent to which al Qaeda is trying to influence and indoctrinate U.S. Muslims
Critics
with critics accusing Republican leaders of bigotry 
Sen. Joseph McCarthy
comparing the hearings to Sen. Joseph McCarthy
There was Communist infiltration
 Sen. Joseph McCarthy's allegations of Communist infiltration
In the early years of the Cold War.
 Sen. Joseph McCarthy's allegations of Communist infiltration in the early years of the Cold War. 
Some.
"Except for a tiny minority," extremists have found "no fertile ground in America," he said.
A tiny minority.
"Except for a tiny minority," extremists have found "no fertile ground in America,"
No.
King is "onto something, but he is going in the wrong direction." 
He is going in the wrong direction.
 King is "onto something, but he is going in the wrong direction." 
By extremist imams.
 his claim that the overwhelming majority of mosques are run by extremist imams
Executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). 
They are "demonstrably false."
Such claims are "demonstrably false," said Nihad Awad
Eric Holder
And Attorney General Eric Holder weighed in as well
Attorney General
Attorney General Eric Holder
No
Attorney General Eric Holder weighed in as well, disputing King's premise that Islamic leaders haven't done enough 