CHATHAM, NJ - Anti-Muslim remarks posted online a decade ago have come back to haunt Chatham Borough Councilman Peter Hoffman as the Republican continues his reelection bid for Borough Council.

Yesterday, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) called on Republican State Committee Chairman Doug Steinhardt to repudiate anti-Muslim and racist comments made on Facebook and on the anti-Muslim site BarenakedIslam by Hoffman. In a Facebook post Hoffman stated that "a hyphenated American is not an American at all" and "assimilation is what made this country great, NOT emphasizing differences."

According to CAIR-NJ, in a post to anti-Muslim hate site BarenakedIslam Hoffman stated, "Islam is a sick, backward faith practiced by low life scum. . .until the "moderate" Muslims rein in their sick brethren and stop this type of behavior, Islam will always be the religion of beasts in my mind." "The statements Mr. Hoffman made reveal a level of prejudice that would impact how he might serve his constituents of different faiths and races, and should disqualify him as a candidate," said CAIR-NJ Executive Director James Sues. "The bigoted views expressed by Mr. Hoffman do a disservice to the welcoming community in New Jersey. This is just a painful reminder of the extreme divisiveness that characterizes the current political climate at the state and national level."

He said CAIR has witnessed an unprecedented spike in bigotry targeting American Muslims, immigrants and members of other minority groups since the election of Donald Trump as president. For his part, Hoffman went back to Facebook and issued an apology.

"I have issued a sincere public apology to the Muslim Community for my bigoted, insensitive, and unacceptable comments made 10 years ago in reaction to an extremist video I viewed on a virulent anti-Islamic hate site," Hoffman wrote. "My comments, while emotional, are completely indefensible and I'm am sorry beyond words. I painted all Muslims with a bigoted brush and I while I cannot take the words back, I have committed to demonstrating my sincerity to make things right with the Muslim community, and would be happy to meet with representatives of CAIR to express my profound regret in person."

Hoffman told Patch he reached out to the Council on American Islamic Relations and apologized to them directly.

"I committed to meet with them at some point to discuss ways I can help build bridges," he said. Sues said that CAIR-NJ welcomed Hoffman's public apology and commitment to dialogue.