Boynton Beach , Florida ( CNN ) -- Freshman Republican Congressman Allen West clashed with an advocate for Muslim-American civil rights at a sometimes-rowdy town hall meeting Monday night . The tense exchange drew boos from a standing room only , largely Republican crowd . The confrontation came as West , an Iraq War veteran who was backed by the Tea Party in last November 's election , took questions from constituents . Nezar Hamze , executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Miami , stepped to the microphone and accused West of making anti-Muslim comments in the past . `` Me and my children choose to follow the faith of Islam . You consistently insult it . How can we expect you to defend our right and practice Islam as far as the Constitution is concerned ? '' Hamze asked . `` I will always defend your right to practice a free religion under the First Amendment , '' West said . `` But what you must understand , if I am speaking the truth , I am not going to stop speaking the truth . The truth is not subjective , '' he continued to loud applause . West 's comments on Islam have stirred controversy in the past . He recently said Muslim Rep. Keith Ellison , D-Minnesota , represents `` the antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established . '' The new GOP congressman pulled no punches commenting on the political crisis in Egypt , drawing parallels between the chaos in that country and the 1979 revolution in Iran . West said the U.S. must stop the Egyptian militant group , the Muslim Brotherhood , from seizing power . `` President Carter , President Obama , Iran , Egypt , the Shah , Mubarak , the Ayatollah , the Muslim Brotherhood . It is a scary parallel . We can not allow the Muslim Brotherhood to fill the void of leadership that can occur in Egypt , '' West said . Monday night 's event was one of the country 's first town hall meetings since the near assassination of Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords at a constituent event in Tucson , Arizona , in January . The tragedy was followed by calls from Republicans and Democrats to tone down political rhetoric . Determined to meet with his constituents once a month , West says he is taking his own precautions to stay safe . West , who has a permit to carry concealed weapons in Florida , also suggested to reporters he will be armed at some of his events . `` I 've had a concealed weapons license for quite some time , about the last two to three years , and I take it upon myself and my personal responsibility , but I choose the venues in which I 'll carry , '' West told CNN . Asked if he was carrying a gun Monday night , West replied , `` I ca n't tell you that . '' The audience at Monday 's meeting sounded more like a pep rally than a town hall . West 's promises to oppose the new health care law and efforts to raise the nation 's debt ceiling drew rounds of applause . It was a sign that many Tea Party activists still plan to attend these constituent events , if only to cheer on members of Congress they support . Still West encouraged his opponents to speak up at his town halls . `` If there is someone here who resides in Congressional District 22 who did not vote for Allen West , I want to hear from you , '' West said . `` I want to know how I can better serve you and be a better representative . ''
Allen West was backed by the Tea Party in November 's election . Islamic activist accused West of making anti-Muslim comments . West , an Iraq War veteran , has made controversial comments about Islam . He said that Muslims are not a religion but rather " people who believe they're superior to everyone else and therefore should be treated as such...