Hi Matt, Peace
My understanding of Islam is that it is a religion of peace based on the linguistic definition of the word "Islam". The word is from the Arabic root word SLM which means peace and surrender simultaneously. The religious definition is that Islam is the attainment of peace, security, and safety through the surrender of one's will to God's will.
My position is informed by a nuanced and historically relevant reading of the Qur'anic scriptures. With regard to the question of peace vs. terrorism, I would suggest to you that the Qur'anic text leans heavily in favor of peace but is not squeamish about a physical response to aggression. I will share a few verses that will shed some light to enable us to begin a fruitful discussion.
Some verses on the issue of inter-people relationships:
O men! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, all-aware. (49:13)
THERE SHALL BE no coercion in matters of faith. Distinct has now become the right way from [the way of] error: hence, he who rejects the powers of evil and believes in God has indeed taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way: for God is all-hearing, all-knowing (2:256)
And [thus it is:] had thy Sustainer so willed, all those who live on earth would surely have attained to faith, all of them: dost thou, then, think that thou couldst compel people to believe, notwithstanding that no human being can ever attain to faith otherwise than by God's leave, and [that] it is He who lays the loathsome evil [of disbelief] upon those who will not use -their reason?" (10:99-100)
Some verses addressing revelations from God to other prophets and communities prior to Muhammad:
Lo! Those who believe (in that which is revealed unto thee, Muhammad), and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabaeans - whoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right - surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. (2:62)
Say: We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered. (2:136)
Say (O Muhammad): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and that which was vouchsafed unto Moses and Jesus and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered. (3:84) And whoso seeketh as religion other than the Surrender (to Allah) it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter. (3:85)
Some verses explaining the arising of differences among human beings over the same message from God:
Mankind were one community, and Allah sent (unto them) prophets as bearers of good tidings and as warners, and revealed therewith the Scripture with the truth that it might judge between mankind concerning that wherein they differed. And only those unto whom (the Scripture) was given differed concerning it, after clear proofs had come unto them, through hatred one of another. And Allah by His Will guided those who believe unto the truth of that concerning which they differed. Allah guideth whom He will unto a straight path. (2:213)
These are the portents of Allah which We recite unto thee (Muhammad) with truth, and lo! thou art of the number of (Our) messengers; (2:252) Of those messengers, some of whom We have caused to excel others, and of whom there are some unto whom Allah spake, while some of them He exalted (above others) in degree; and We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty) and We supported him with the holy Spirit. And if Allah had so willed it, those who followed after them would not have fought one with another after the clear proofs had come unto them. But they differed, some of them believing and some disbelieving. And if Allah had so willed it, they would not have fought one with another; but Allah doeth what He will. (2:253)
And unto thee have We revealed the Scripture with the truth, confirming whatever Scripture was before it, and a watcher over it. So judge between them by that which Allah hath revealed, and follow not their desires away from the truth which hath come unto thee. For each We have appointed a divine law and a traced-out way. Had Allah willed He could have made you one community. But that He may try you by that which He hath given you (He hath made you as ye are). So vie one with another in good works. Unto Allah ye will all return, and He will then inform you of that wherein ye differ. (5:48)
Some verses on the response to aggression:
Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors. (2:190) And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter. And fight not with them at the Inviolable Place of Worship until they first attack you there, but if they attack you (there) then slay them. Such is the reward of disbelievers. (2:191) But if they desist, then lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (2:192) And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against wrong-doers. (2:193)
________________
The above verses, like all verses, always need to be understood in the context of revelation. Muslim scholarship has always maintained the following positions with regard to text:
1. Text must be first understood in the context of revelation, i.e. the circumstances surrounding the actual revelation of the text to Muhammad. Muslim sources have great detail on the context of each verse.
2. The applicability of the text to a differing time and place beyond the original context of revelation is held as a given (based on verses in the Qur'an referring to this possibility) and is constrained by the possibilities of the language (is the text able to be understood only ONE way or can it be read in multiple ways). Muslim scholarship developed the notion of the meaning being "categorically authoritative" i.e. only ONE meaning possible, or "presumptively authorititative" i.e. multiple meanings possible. A great tradition of dissent and acceptance of multiple points of view arose within the ranks of Muslim scholarship as a result of this view of the text. Looking at some of the verses above in the original Arabic, you would begin to get a sense of which verses may be "categorically authoritative" and which may be "presumptively authoritative".
3. In order to become systematic in the application of "categorically authoritative" and "presumptively authoritative" definitions, Muslim scholarship further developed a framework of the "Purposes of Law" or "The Intent of God". This is a proposed framework to attempt to understand the mind of God as revealed in the text of the Qur'an. The framework continues to develop to this day, punctuated by periods of great activity and other periods of inactivity in the past. I believe a period of great activity in this area is being witnessed today in Muslim scholarship after a period of stagnation lasting some 250 years as a result of internal decay of scholarship and the decay of economic and socio-political strengths of Muslim communities across the world.
Matt, I teach a 10 part course on "Understanding Islam and Muslims" at various venues. I would invite you to join a future class to pursue our discussions in detail. I am also copying Justin Peyton, Director of Civil Rights at CAIR-PA Philadelphia office on this email. He is another source for you to speak with.
Best Regards and Peace.
Iftekhar Hussain
____________________________________
From: Matthew
To: Iftekhar Hussain
Subject: RE: your inquiries about Islam
Grace and Peace to you as well Mr. Hussain,Thank you so much for taking the time to correspond with me. I know you probably recieve a number of emails and I really appreciate your willingness to engage in this conversation with me. I would be interested in seeking answers to some more specific questions dealing with particular scriptures that I have been made aware of but first it may be helpful if I had a basic understanding of your position. Is Islam a religion of peace or of terrorism? I know this seems like a very general question and I'm pretty sure I already know the answer but I feel as though I have been bombarded by images of violence and anti-Islamic propaganda for so long that it is important to me to get this out of the way first before we proceed. It would be helpful for me when I am interacting with others if I was able to refer back to your holy book so if you don't mind please provide me with some passages and references for those passages.Matt
________________________________
From: Iftekhar To: Matt
Date: Tue, 27 May 2008 08:41:53 -0400
Subject: your inquiries about Islam
Dear Matt, Peace
I would like to begin correspondence with you to answer your questions. I fee it would be best for you to pose specific questions that I will then answer. If you feel a phone call is in order, I am available for one as well. Thank you
Iftekhar Hussain
___________________________________
From: Matt
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 6:22 PM
To: CAIR
Hi!My name is Matt and I'm a follower of Jesus. I've just recently heard of your organization and was interested to get some support to my own opinions about Islam being a religion of peace that has been hijacked by extremists and terrorist. I have been listening to a man named Robert Spencer speak on Islam recently. I also have had some email correspondance with Spencer (in which he accused me of being an undercover Muslim). I wrote him in response to what I saw as him propagating negative views of Islam on his website (jihadwatch.com). I feel that Spencers site is extremely biased and adds fuel to the fire of bigotry against Islam.I was wondering if you would be able to refute some of his claims and perhaps give me a more indepth understanding of your position based on Islamic scriptures. Also is it true that at one point Mohammed claimed that an earlier teaching was of satan and therefore withdrew it?Just as a side I think that Spencer is politically motivated...what is interesting is that he also claims to be a Christian. At the same time it seems like he is trying to justify violence in the middle east against Muslims. As well as being a Christian I am a pacifist (which goes hand in hand with being a Christian). Regardless of whether Islam is a religion of violence, I do not believe there is any grounds for Christians to respond violently. We will lay our ives down in love before we take anothers life.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Hope of a Victimized People
Published on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 by the Los Angeles Times
The Hope of a Victimized People
by George Bisharat
This essay was featured as the final segment of an on-line debate between George Bisharat and Judea Pearl that ran for five days as the “Dust-Up” website feature of the Los Angeles Times and its sister publications — Newsday, Chicago Tribune and Baltimore Sun.
My Palestinian family, in its tradition of compassion and hospitality, is not exceptional. During my last trip to the West Bank, I met a man whose parents had been driven out of what became Israel in 1948 and had settled in the Balata refugee camp outside Nablus. The Friday before, as he was taking his son to prayer, an Israeli tank suddenly wheeled into their empty street, spewing heavy machine-gun fire. The man saw his son stumble, then plunge face first into the stairs ahead of him. When the father reached him, the boy had swallowed his teeth and blood blossomed across his shirt. Within minutes he turned blue, his internal organs destroyed. Amid Abu Sayr, age 7, died before reaching the hospital. No protests nor disturbances had preceded this incident, and no one could explain the tank gunner’s zeal.
As the father related this to me and my companions, he saw my eyes film with tears. Then this humble man — a mechanic, as I recall — embraced me and patted my back. Two days after the most searing experience of his life, he offered comfort to me. “Just tell the world how they stole my heart,” he whispered gently. I was reminded, yet again, of the deep courage, resilience and magnanimity of the Palestinian people.
READ MORE
The Hope of a Victimized People
by George Bisharat
This essay was featured as the final segment of an on-line debate between George Bisharat and Judea Pearl that ran for five days as the “Dust-Up” website feature of the Los Angeles Times and its sister publications — Newsday, Chicago Tribune and Baltimore Sun.
My Palestinian family, in its tradition of compassion and hospitality, is not exceptional. During my last trip to the West Bank, I met a man whose parents had been driven out of what became Israel in 1948 and had settled in the Balata refugee camp outside Nablus. The Friday before, as he was taking his son to prayer, an Israeli tank suddenly wheeled into their empty street, spewing heavy machine-gun fire. The man saw his son stumble, then plunge face first into the stairs ahead of him. When the father reached him, the boy had swallowed his teeth and blood blossomed across his shirt. Within minutes he turned blue, his internal organs destroyed. Amid Abu Sayr, age 7, died before reaching the hospital. No protests nor disturbances had preceded this incident, and no one could explain the tank gunner’s zeal.
As the father related this to me and my companions, he saw my eyes film with tears. Then this humble man — a mechanic, as I recall — embraced me and patted my back. Two days after the most searing experience of his life, he offered comfort to me. “Just tell the world how they stole my heart,” he whispered gently. I was reminded, yet again, of the deep courage, resilience and magnanimity of the Palestinian people.
READ MORE
Monday, December 3, 2007
300 Christian Theologians respond to "A Common Word between Us"
Dear Friends, As Salaam Alaikum (P{eace be upon you)
In October 13 2007, 138 Muslim scholars and leaders around the world sent an open letter declaring of the common ground between Islam and Christianity.
On November 18 2007, the response below was issued by over 300 Christian theologians and leaders.
Please read and pass along
Iftekhar Hussain
In October 13 2007, 138 Muslim scholars and leaders around the world sent an open letter declaring of the common ground between Islam and Christianity.
On November 18 2007, the response below was issued by over 300 Christian theologians and leaders.
Please read and pass along
Iftekhar Hussain
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Savage attacks on Islam and Muslims by Michael Savage
Dear Friends, As Salaam Alakium (Peace be upon you)
Savage remarks about Islam and Muslims by, you guessed it, MICHAEL SAVAGE.
To listen to bigoted statements by Savage, click here.
Please read below and take action.
Iftekhar Hussain
WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/1/2007) - CAIR today called on radio listeners of all faiths to contact companies that advertise on Michael Savage's nationally-syndicated radio program to express their concerns about the host's recent anti-Muslim tirade.
Savage, whose "The Savage Nation" airs on more than 300 radio stations nationwide, screamed attacks on Muslims, Islam and the Quran during his October 29, 2007, program. A number of concerned listeners contacted CAIR about Savage's attacks on Islam.
Savage's shouted anti-Muslim attacks included:
"I'm not gonna put my wife in a hijab. And I'm not gonna put my daughter in a burqa. And I'm not gettin on my all-fours and braying to Mecca. And you could drop dead if you don't like it. You can shove it up your pipe. I don't wanna hear anymore about Islam. I don't wanna hear one more word about Islam. Take your religion and shove it up your behind. I'm sick of you."
"What kind of religion is this? What kind of world are you living in when you let them in here with that throwback document in their hand, which is a book of hate. Don't tell me I need reeducation. They need deportation. I don't need reeducation. Deportation, not reeducation. You can take C-A-I-R and throw 'em out of my country. I'd raise the American flag and I'd get out my trumpet if you did it. Without due process. You can take your due process and shove it."
"What sane nation that worships the U.S. constitution, which is the greatest document of freedom ever written, would bring in people who worship a book that tells them the exact opposite. Make no mistake about it, the Quran is not a document of freedom. The Quran is a document of slavery and chattel. It teaches you that you are a slave."
To listen to these and other bigoted statements by Savage, click here.
Michael Savage has a long history of rhetorical attacks on Muslims and other minorities. In 2004, Savage stated: "I think [Muslims] need to be forcibly converted to Christianity...It's the only thing that can probably turn them into human beings." In 2006, he called for a ban on Muslim immigration and recommended making "the construction of mosques illegal in America."
SEE: Savage Says Ban the Construction of US MosquesSEE ALSO: Michael Savage (Media Matters)
"Michael Savage obviously cares little about the safety or civil rights of American Muslims, but the stations that carry his hate-filled rants do care about listeners' attitudes toward advertisers who pay to air commercials during his program," said CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin. "Americans of all faiths should take a few minutes to contact any local station that broadcasts Savage's inflammatory tirades to say they will not buy the goods or services of his advertisers."
Rubin added that hate-filled words can and do lead to violent actions against American Muslims. She said there have been several recent apparently bias-related incidents targeting mosques, Islamic institutions and Muslim individuals nationwide.
In Ohio, Nazi swastikas and the phrase "white power" were spray-painted on a Toledo Islamic school and rocks were thrown at worshipers outside a Columbus mosque. In Texas, a shot was fired into a mosque. In New York, a Muslim woman was badly beaten in a bias attack. In California, arsonists torched one mosque and a group of men attacked another. In Maryland, vandals slashed the tires of vehicles owned by a Muslim activist.
CAIR's latest annual report on the status of American Muslim civil rights showed a 25 percent increase in the total number of complaints of anti-Muslim bias from 2005 to 2006.
SEE: The Status of Muslim Civil Rights in the United States - 2007
In the past, CAIR has been successful in challenging anti-Muslim hate on radio and television programs.
SEE:
Florida TV Station Drops Anti-Islam ProgramMuslim Group Calls for Imus Advertiser, Guest BoycottCalif. Radio Station, Host Apologize to MuslimsDC Radio Host Fired Over Anti-Islam RemarksMN Radio Station Thanked for 'Muslim Jeopardy' Skit ApologyMSNBC Apologizes for 'Imus' RemarksJackie Mason Calls Islam a 'Murderous Organization'Muslims Launch 'Hate Hurts America' Radio CampaignCalifornia Radio Station Apologizes for Islamophobic Skit
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS REQUESTED: (As always, be POLITE. Hostile comments can and will be used by Savage to further defame Islam and Muslims.)
1. FIND OUT which station carries Michael Savage's program in your area. LISTEN to the program and write down the contact information for both local and national advertisers. CONTACT those advertisers to POLITELY inform them that you and your friends and family will not purchase their products or services as long as they continue to subsidize a hate-filled program.
For a partial listing of radio stations that air Michael Savage's program, click here.
2. CONTACT Talk Radio Network, Michael Savage's syndicator, to express your concerns about his hate-filled attacks on Muslims, Islam and the Quran.
Mr. Mark MastersChief Executive OfficerTalk Radio NetworkP.O. Box 3755Central Point OR 97502Phone: 541-664-8827 or 541-474-2297Fax: 541-664-6250 or 866-876-5075
E-Mail: mmasters@talkradionetwork.com, eterry@talkradionetwork.com, gregdoyle@talkradionetwork.com, info@talkradionetwork.com, affiliates@talkradionetwork.com, rubend@talkradionetwork.com
3. SEND COPIES of all correspondence to CAIR at: E-Mail info@cair.com or fax to 202-488-0833.
4. ORGANIZE local coalitions with friends of the Muslim community to challenge Savage's hate rhetoric.
Savage remarks about Islam and Muslims by, you guessed it, MICHAEL SAVAGE.
To listen to bigoted statements by Savage, click here.
Please read below and take action.
Iftekhar Hussain
WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/1/2007) - CAIR today called on radio listeners of all faiths to contact companies that advertise on Michael Savage's nationally-syndicated radio program to express their concerns about the host's recent anti-Muslim tirade.
Savage, whose "The Savage Nation" airs on more than 300 radio stations nationwide, screamed attacks on Muslims, Islam and the Quran during his October 29, 2007, program. A number of concerned listeners contacted CAIR about Savage's attacks on Islam.
Savage's shouted anti-Muslim attacks included:
"I'm not gonna put my wife in a hijab. And I'm not gonna put my daughter in a burqa. And I'm not gettin on my all-fours and braying to Mecca. And you could drop dead if you don't like it. You can shove it up your pipe. I don't wanna hear anymore about Islam. I don't wanna hear one more word about Islam. Take your religion and shove it up your behind. I'm sick of you."
"What kind of religion is this? What kind of world are you living in when you let them in here with that throwback document in their hand, which is a book of hate. Don't tell me I need reeducation. They need deportation. I don't need reeducation. Deportation, not reeducation. You can take C-A-I-R and throw 'em out of my country. I'd raise the American flag and I'd get out my trumpet if you did it. Without due process. You can take your due process and shove it."
"What sane nation that worships the U.S. constitution, which is the greatest document of freedom ever written, would bring in people who worship a book that tells them the exact opposite. Make no mistake about it, the Quran is not a document of freedom. The Quran is a document of slavery and chattel. It teaches you that you are a slave."
To listen to these and other bigoted statements by Savage, click here.
Michael Savage has a long history of rhetorical attacks on Muslims and other minorities. In 2004, Savage stated: "I think [Muslims] need to be forcibly converted to Christianity...It's the only thing that can probably turn them into human beings." In 2006, he called for a ban on Muslim immigration and recommended making "the construction of mosques illegal in America."
SEE: Savage Says Ban the Construction of US MosquesSEE ALSO: Michael Savage (Media Matters)
"Michael Savage obviously cares little about the safety or civil rights of American Muslims, but the stations that carry his hate-filled rants do care about listeners' attitudes toward advertisers who pay to air commercials during his program," said CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin. "Americans of all faiths should take a few minutes to contact any local station that broadcasts Savage's inflammatory tirades to say they will not buy the goods or services of his advertisers."
Rubin added that hate-filled words can and do lead to violent actions against American Muslims. She said there have been several recent apparently bias-related incidents targeting mosques, Islamic institutions and Muslim individuals nationwide.
In Ohio, Nazi swastikas and the phrase "white power" were spray-painted on a Toledo Islamic school and rocks were thrown at worshipers outside a Columbus mosque. In Texas, a shot was fired into a mosque. In New York, a Muslim woman was badly beaten in a bias attack. In California, arsonists torched one mosque and a group of men attacked another. In Maryland, vandals slashed the tires of vehicles owned by a Muslim activist.
CAIR's latest annual report on the status of American Muslim civil rights showed a 25 percent increase in the total number of complaints of anti-Muslim bias from 2005 to 2006.
SEE: The Status of Muslim Civil Rights in the United States - 2007
In the past, CAIR has been successful in challenging anti-Muslim hate on radio and television programs.
SEE:
Florida TV Station Drops Anti-Islam ProgramMuslim Group Calls for Imus Advertiser, Guest BoycottCalif. Radio Station, Host Apologize to MuslimsDC Radio Host Fired Over Anti-Islam RemarksMN Radio Station Thanked for 'Muslim Jeopardy' Skit ApologyMSNBC Apologizes for 'Imus' RemarksJackie Mason Calls Islam a 'Murderous Organization'Muslims Launch 'Hate Hurts America' Radio CampaignCalifornia Radio Station Apologizes for Islamophobic Skit
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS REQUESTED: (As always, be POLITE. Hostile comments can and will be used by Savage to further defame Islam and Muslims.)
1. FIND OUT which station carries Michael Savage's program in your area. LISTEN to the program and write down the contact information for both local and national advertisers. CONTACT those advertisers to POLITELY inform them that you and your friends and family will not purchase their products or services as long as they continue to subsidize a hate-filled program.
For a partial listing of radio stations that air Michael Savage's program, click here.
2. CONTACT Talk Radio Network, Michael Savage's syndicator, to express your concerns about his hate-filled attacks on Muslims, Islam and the Quran.
Mr. Mark MastersChief Executive OfficerTalk Radio NetworkP.O. Box 3755Central Point OR 97502Phone: 541-664-8827 or 541-474-2297Fax: 541-664-6250 or 866-876-5075
E-Mail: mmasters@talkradionetwork.com, eterry@talkradionetwork.com, gregdoyle@talkradionetwork.com, info@talkradionetwork.com, affiliates@talkradionetwork.com, rubend@talkradionetwork.com
3. SEND COPIES of all correspondence to CAIR at: E-Mail info@cair.com or fax to 202-488-0833.
4. ORGANIZE local coalitions with friends of the Muslim community to challenge Savage's hate rhetoric.
Monday, October 29, 2007
The re-emergence of the hangman's noose
Dear Friends, As Salaam Alaikum (Peace be upon you)
There is a re-emergence of the hangman's noose in the USA as a tool of intimidation of African-Americans. Some claim that the hangman's noose is mere prank, but to most African Americans, it evokes painful historical and real memories of mob lynchings. From 1882 to 1968, 4743 lynchings were held across the United State; the vast majority of the vitcims were black men. No one was charged or brought to juctice for any of these crimes
Since the noose hanging in the schoolyard that ignited the Jena, LA civil rights furor, there has been a re-emergence of nooses in various public place.
This shameful act of intimadation should be vigorously protested and prosecuted where possible
Iftekhar Hussain
There is a re-emergence of the hangman's noose in the USA as a tool of intimidation of African-Americans. Some claim that the hangman's noose is mere prank, but to most African Americans, it evokes painful historical and real memories of mob lynchings. From 1882 to 1968, 4743 lynchings were held across the United State; the vast majority of the vitcims were black men. No one was charged or brought to juctice for any of these crimes
Since the noose hanging in the schoolyard that ignited the Jena, LA civil rights furor, there has been a re-emergence of nooses in various public place.
This shameful act of intimadation should be vigorously protested and prosecuted where possible
Iftekhar Hussain
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Understand and discourage Islamophobia in our nation
Dear Friends, As Salaam Alaikum (Peace be unto you).
Islamophobia is a growing cancer in our nation today where people target Islam and Muslims. This week is witnessing the occurrence of ‘Islamo-Fascism Week’ at some university campuses, a project sponsored by the right-winger David Horowitz. From Ann Coulter to Robert Spencer to ex-Senator Rick Santorum, purveyors of hate are promoting anti-Islamic and anti-Muslim attitudes under the guise of a war on terrorism.
CAIR-PA will hold a seminar on Islamophobia and the ill effects of this hate-mongering upon American Muslims, their families and institutions. The event will be held at the Hall of Flags, Houston Hall, University of Pennsylvania. Details are provided below:
Date: November 4, 2007
Time: 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Hall of Flags, Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce Street, Philadelphia (map)
Please join us to understand this phenomenon and how to effectively counter this illness in our country. Encourage a colleague, friend or neighbor to attend and learn.
Thank you.
Iftekhar Hussain
Islamophobia is a growing cancer in our nation today where people target Islam and Muslims. This week is witnessing the occurrence of ‘Islamo-Fascism Week’ at some university campuses, a project sponsored by the right-winger David Horowitz. From Ann Coulter to Robert Spencer to ex-Senator Rick Santorum, purveyors of hate are promoting anti-Islamic and anti-Muslim attitudes under the guise of a war on terrorism.
CAIR-PA will hold a seminar on Islamophobia and the ill effects of this hate-mongering upon American Muslims, their families and institutions. The event will be held at the Hall of Flags, Houston Hall, University of Pennsylvania. Details are provided below:
Date: November 4, 2007
Time: 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Hall of Flags, Houston Hall, 3417 Spruce Street, Philadelphia (map)
Please join us to understand this phenomenon and how to effectively counter this illness in our country. Encourage a colleague, friend or neighbor to attend and learn.
Thank you.
Iftekhar Hussain
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Judeo-Christo-Fascism Awareness Week Comes to American Campuses
Dear Friends, As Salaam Alaikum (Peace be upon you)
Below is a piece from my dear friend, Rabbi Arthur Waskow. It is in response to the 'Islamo-Fascism Week' being held at various university campuses across the USA.
Pleas read and pass along...
Iftekhar Hussain
Judeo-Christo-Fascism Awareness Week Comes to American Campuses!
by Rabbi Arthur Waskow
Did that title make the hair on the back of your neck bristle? Did it feel like a bigoted attack on Christianity and Judaism?
When the feature film sent out for use in this Week—which focused on the disgusting Christian-led war that killed hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and the disgusting Jewish-led killing of Muslim children by airplane bombng raids on Gaza -– also included interviews with a few peacenik Quakers, Methodists, and left-wing Jews, criticizing that war and those bombings, did you relax, feeling it was a balanced presentation of Judaism and Christianity?
NO??!! —Your guts, your kishkes, felt that practically all Christians and Jews were being set up as potential – indeed probable— bad guys?
Click below to read more
http://www.theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/judeo_christo_fascism_awareness_week_comes_to_american_campuses/0014850
Below is a piece from my dear friend, Rabbi Arthur Waskow. It is in response to the 'Islamo-Fascism Week' being held at various university campuses across the USA.
Pleas read and pass along...
Iftekhar Hussain
Judeo-Christo-Fascism Awareness Week Comes to American Campuses!
by Rabbi Arthur Waskow
Did that title make the hair on the back of your neck bristle? Did it feel like a bigoted attack on Christianity and Judaism?
When the feature film sent out for use in this Week—which focused on the disgusting Christian-led war that killed hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and the disgusting Jewish-led killing of Muslim children by airplane bombng raids on Gaza -– also included interviews with a few peacenik Quakers, Methodists, and left-wing Jews, criticizing that war and those bombings, did you relax, feeling it was a balanced presentation of Judaism and Christianity?
NO??!! —Your guts, your kishkes, felt that practically all Christians and Jews were being set up as potential – indeed probable— bad guys?
Click below to read more
http://www.theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/judeo_christo_fascism_awareness_week_comes_to_american_campuses/0014850
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