The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has removed a candidate from the chairmanship race after he pointed out some Muslims persecute gay people.

Former House candidate Vincent Tolliver was ousted after he told The Hill one of the other candidates for DNC chair, Rep. Keith Ellison, should not lead the Democrat Party because he is a Muslim. The Islamic faith discriminates against gay people, he said.

“His being a Muslim is precisely why DNC voters should not vote for him,” Tolliver wrote in a January email. “Muslims discriminate against gays. Islamic law is clear on the subject, and being gay is a direct violation of it. In some Muslim countries, being gay is a hate crime punishable by death.”

“Clearly, Mr. Ellison is not the person to lead the DNC or any other organization committed to not discriminating based on gender identity or sexual orientation,” he added. “I’m shocked [the Human Rights Campaign] has been silent on the issue. A vote for Representative Ellison by any member of the DNC would be divisive and unconscionable, not to mention counterproductive to the immediate and necessary steps of rebuilding the Democratic Party.”

The DNC later booted Tolliver from the race. “The Democratic Party welcomes all Americans from all backgrounds,” interim DNC chair Donna Brazile told The Hill regarding the decision. “What we do not welcome is people discriminating against others based on who they are or how they worship.”

Leading Democrats were silent, however, after Ellison amplified an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory while speaking at a fundraiser for a Libyan activist calling on Palestinians to destroy Israel. Jews have been “mobilized” by Israel to “do its bidding in America,” Ellison said at the event. Senators including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders did not speak out against the remarks.

Follow Rachel on Twitter

Send tips to rachel@ dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.