Press Release

“We condemn the disgraceful killings of the American diplomats in Libya in the strongest terms possible. We also condemn the attack on our nation’s diplomatic facilities in Libya and Egypt. The actions of the attackers are totally inexcusable and un-Islamic.

“We agree with Secretary Clinton, who said that ‘violence like this is no way to honor religion or faith.’ The extremists who carried out these attacks deserve punishment, and the extremists who produced and promoted an intentionally inflammatory film deserve condemnation.

“Islamic traditions include a number of instances in which the Prophet Muhammad (s) had the opportunity to retaliate against those who abused him, but refrained from doing so.
One tradition, or hadith, states: ‘You [Muhammad] do not do evil to those who do evil to you, but you deal with them with forgiveness and kindness.’ (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

“Muslims are also taught the tradition of the woman who would regularly throw trash on the prophet as he walked down a particular path. The prophet never responded in kind to the woman’s abuse. Instead, when she one day failed to attack him, he went to her home to inquire about her condition.

“In another tradition, the prophet was offered the opportunity to have God punish the people of a town near Mecca who refused the message of Islam and attacked him with stones. Again, the Prophet (s) did not choose to respond in kind to the abuse.

“We must not let extremists control the political or religious discourse. That means that people of all beliefs should repudiate those who would commit acts of violence in response to intentional provocations and repudiate those whose only goal is offending religious sentiments.”

CAIR yesterday called on Muslims in the Middle East to ignore the distribution of the “trashy” anti-Islam film, clips of which are circulating online, that resulted in the attacks in Libya and Egypt.

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

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The representative called the video “amateurish and stupid,” said protesters “could have written letters.”

By Michael Rose

Demonstrator hold a placard during a rally to condemn the killers of the U.S. Ambassador to Libya and the attack on the U.S. consulate, in Benghazi September 12, 2012. REUTERS/Esam Al-Fetori

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) on Wednesday said he mourns for the Americans killed during riots at American diplomatic missions in the Middle East, and he condemned the video that sparked the protests.

Speaking on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday morning, Ellison said he is “deeply disturbed,”  termed the attacks a “terrible, terrible tragedy” and said protesters “could have written letters and could have registered their disapproval in a number of ways, but they resorted to murder.”

Four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens, were killed Tuesday during attacks on the American Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Violence also erupted at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, in response to a short American-made video called “Innocence of Muslims” that mocks Prophet Muhammad (s).

Ellison released the following statement:

I am deeply disturbed by the attacks on our diplomatic missions in Libya and Egypt. Four Americans have now been killed, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens. My heart goes out to their families. They were brave public servants working tirelessly to improve relations with Egypt, Libya, and the rest of the world. This is a tragic loss.

The amateurish and stupid video that sparked these riots was deeply offensive not only to Muslims but also to anyone who respects the faith of others. It was designed to provoke, and sadly, the provocateurs successfully induced some people to take the bait. Instead of ignoring or peacefully condemning the film, they resorted to violence and mayhem.

Yes, the film’s creators hatefully attacked what so many people hold most dear: their relationship with the Divine. But responding with violence is never justified. And those who think they are doing so in the name of Islam are wrong and ill informed. The abuse of free speech rights, no matter how offensive, does not give license for senseless acts of violence.

People need to understand that the United States government had no role in creating this film. In fact, the government has condemned it and the American people have rejected it; it violates the American value of religious tolerance. The vast majority of Christians, Muslims, Jews and people of other faiths live in peace and harmony in the United States, and reject the hateful expressions in the film. No one should confuse the tiny group who made this disrespectful and deliberately provocative film with the American people or the U.S. government. The United States Constitution protects religious freedom, but it also prohibits the government from silencing misguided individuals who abuse their free speech rights.

Hateful provocateurs will always try to stir the pot, but it’s up to us to remain calm and not let it boil over. Now innocent public servants who dedicated their lives to building bridges between people are dead. What we need is more understanding and tolerance, not conflict and bloodshed.

Ellison’s Republican opponent, Chris Fields, released a response which mourned the “savage murder” but which denied any American provocation for the brutal attacks, claiming that the murders were caused by “[i]ntolerance of American values;” Fields claimed Ellison’s statement was “shocking.”

Field’s statement was shockingly bigoted and incendiary.

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By Noor Salem, TMO

It’s September 12th 2012, and as I walked into my Online Reporting, Research, and Writing course at University at 1 in the afternoon and got shocked to learn the latest news. The professor began the class by saying “So, who’s heard of last night and the morning news?” A few students raised their hands and my brain began pondering what could be the big news, and why didn’t I hear about it earlier? Well obviously because I’ve deactivated my Facebook a few months ago, had my phone on silent on campus, and simply didn’t talk to family or friends all morning.

So what happened? A lot happened. It began with 56 year old Sam Bacile, an American citizen and Israeli Jew who is a real-estate businessman from California. He decided to direct an anti-Islamic movie about the Prophet Muhammad (s); he simply throw a lot of rubbish together and make a movie out of it.

He did not forget to include lies, hatred, and lots of detestation about Muslims and Islam. This movie was promoted by the very famous Christian group led by the same man who wanted to host “Burn a Quran Day”’ from Florida, yes, Pastor Jones. The film was released yesterday (September 11th 2012) and fueled a lot more backlash than expected.

This is the 21st century, you know, and things like this travel the world rather swiftly.  

Some people decided to post the trailer with Arabic subtitles and it was eventually seen in the overseas countries. Egypt and Libya did not take it too well, and they decided to take vengeance to heart.  They attacked their U.S. embassies, killing Christopher Stevens, the U.S. Ambassador Stevens, and three other embassy staff in Benghazi. People were angry, buildings were on fire, and protesters were all over the streets. Flags burned and other flags went up. We get it.

It doesn’t end there though! Just after President Obama goes live this morning (around 10am) to discuss what’s going on, Romney decides to blame Obama for not defending U.S. interests vigorously as necessary!! So not only did this entire movie fuel fire outside the U.S., it fueled more fire domestically. Blogs are filled with satirical comments regarding what Romney said.

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To compete with 900 others nationwide for 15-20 grants totaling only $383 million

In 2010, the U.S. Department of Education announced its “Race to the Top” (RTTT) funding competition, which provided $4.35 billion in monetary incentives to states in exchange for the states adopting sweeping reforms in their elementary and secondary education programs. Forty-six states applied for these grants. Texas was not among them. Gov. Rick Perry said “no” to the funding, saying there were too many federal strings attached to the funds, denying Texas schools approximately $700 million in RTTT funds.

Since then, another round of competition for Race to the Top funds was announced. And this time, the Department of Education went straight to the horse’s mouth – the individual school districts – inviting the schools, rather than the states, to apply individually for the approximately $383 million that would be allocated through 15-25 grants ranging from $5 million to $40 million. “I believe the best ideas come from leaders at the local level,” said U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

The Department of Education recently announced that nearly 900 school districts throughout the nation – close to 50 of them in Texas – indicated they intended to apply for the 2012 RTTT funding. More than a dozen charter schools and regional service centers in Texas also said they would apply. School districts and other education agencies have until Oct. 30 to apply. The awards are to be announced no later than Dec. 31.

More than $4 billion in RTTT grants already have been distributed to 18 states in the round of funding for which states alone applied. The funding, which will be awarded to individual districts, will recognize local proposals designed to improve student achievement and ensure that students are properly prepared either for college or the workforce. To apply, districts must show that 40 percent of their students are from low-income families. Also, evaluation systems for teachers, principals and superintendents must be in place by the 2014-15 school year and data on student growth must be made available to educators.

Some of the nation’s largest school districts, including New York City, Miami-Dade and Boston, have applied. Two of the largest districts in Texas – Houston and Dallas – also have indicated they will apply. But there are also smaller districts in Texas seeking funding, such as Lovejoy, rural districts such as Tenaha and some of the poorer districts such as Edgewood in San Antonio. In the case of Edgewood, Superintendent Jose Cervantes told the San Antonio Express News that he welcomes the requirements to improve student performance and having resources to make the district better able to train its teachers. He said the federal program requirements are higher even than state standards.

“We want to help schools become engines of innovation through personalized learning so that every child in America can receive the world-class public education they deserve,” said Secretary Duncan. “The Race to the Top-District competition will help us meet that goal.” School districts nationwide had until Aug. 30 to register their intent to apply for the RTTT funding. Now the Department of Education will offer webinars and conference calls to provide technical assistance to those districts that plan to apply by the Oct. 30 filing deadline.

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By Laura Fawaz, Contributing Reporter

Dearborn, MI– This week’s Sunday morning service at Littlefield Presbyterian Church of Dearborn, MI was dedicated to bringing Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and followers of Judaism, together.

Littlefield, who has been in the community for over 80 years, wanted to host this interfaith service to bring these faiths, and their traditions together in order to see that “we are more alike than we are different.”  The sermon by Pastor Fran Hayes of Littlefield Presbyterian Church surrounded the ongoing theme of unity.  Respect and unity of any fellow human being, regardless of their faith and / or cultural differences, “we follow Jesus who we know in part, as the man of peace,” said Pastor Hayes.

Pastor Hayes continued in her sermon citing nature for examples, speaking on peace and equality being something that should be a household quality, growing up with each generation.  Pastor Hayes gave the example of “perennials flowers opening in spring … too humanity rose forth, … but we are forever drawn to peace, truth, and reconciliation.”

Following Pastor Hayes’ sermon, the congregation and any participants sang songs from the Christian hymnal books that were about peace and unity.  Next Imam Mohammad Mardini of the American Muslim Center in Dearborn recited Qur’an and supplication.  Following, Ms. Raman Singh read a meditation from the Sikh scriptures. 

As a ritual of any church, Littlefield concluded their session with prayers for the people, which is the time for anyone in the audience to mention someone’s name that is need for prayer, so that they can be mentioned by name in the congregation’s group prayers offered.  But before the prayers for the people were asked, Littlefield did something unique.  Pastor Hayes asked the congregation to stand and share what they called, their thanksgivings and intercessions.  Here, anyone in the crowd stood and mentioned what they were thankful for, though the majority of those who stood said that they were thankful for today’s gathering.  Most relayed that it is nice to see such a peaceful, interfaith gathering take place, especially in such a diverse city. 

“I’m thankful that Littlefield has flourished while being in this community.  I’ve watched east Dearborn evolve into the mostly Muslim neighborhood that it is, and it’s good that our friends at Littlefield have been consistently here,” said Chuck Alawan, one of the interfaith organizers.

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Press Release

(Royal Oak, MI, 9/12/12) – The Imam’s Council of the Michigan Muslim Community Council condemns in the strongest terms the killing of the US ambassador, Christopher Stevens, in Libya and other embassy staffers. Islam strictly prohibits killing or harming of diplomats and civilians, under any circumstance.

Such violence is against the Islamic teachings and the spirit of the Holy Qur’an.

The Qur’an teaches, “If anyone slays a human being unless it be [in punishment] for murder or for spreading corruption on earth-it shall be as though he had slain all mankind; whereas, if anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all mankind…” (5:32)

On behalf of the imams and the Muslim community we offer our condolences and deepest sympathies to the family of Ambassador Stevens and other victims of violence as we pray for peace and a world free of hate and bigotry.

The imams do support our freedoms, but also denounce the abuse of such privileges, including the promotion of hatred via inflammatory literature, movie or speech by individuals or groups.  Such actions by all extremists must not be allowed to damage the emerging freedoms in the Middle East and peaceful co-existence everywhere. We urge all Muslims to peacefully oppose any provocative or aggressive acts against their faith.

The Imams Committee of the Michigan Muslim Community Council represents a coalition of Muslim religious leaders (imams) in the Southeast Michigan.

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Press Release

In March, the Obama administration designated Syria as a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) country. The deadline to apply for TPS is September 25, 2012.

Any Syrian nationals needing assistance in filing for Temporary Protected Status may contact CAIR’s office at 248.559.2247.

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By Aslam Abdullah, TMO

In the June 2006 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Robert S. Thompson, MD concluded that domestic violence impacts 44 percent of the American women at some point during their adult lives. Some 34 percent experience physical abuse such as hitting, shoving, and 34 percent face non-physical abuse such as angry threats

A UN study on violence recently reported that some 1.5 million people are killed in violence annually with at least 10 percent in domestic violence.

Domestic abuse is a major issue in our world as no country or community is immune from it. It is prevalent in all sectors of human society.

There is no country in the world where women are safe from violence or abuse. In Cambodia,16 percent of women are physically abused by their husbands; in the UK, 30 percent are physically hurt by partners or ex-partners; 21 percent in Nicaragua, 29 percent in Canada, and 44 percent in the US. 45 percent of Indian women are slapped, kicked or beaten by their husbands. India also had the highest rate of violence during pregnancy.

Of the women reporting violence, 50 percent are kicked, beaten or hit when pregnant. About 74.8 percent of the women who reported violence have attempted to commit suicide. Based on 48 surveys around the world, half of the women who die from homicides are killed by their current or former husbands or partners. Women are killed by guns, beatings and burns among numerous other forms of abuse. In Sao Paulo, 13 percent of deaths of women of reproductive age were homicides; of these, 60 percent were committed by the victims’ partners.

However, none of, the professional experts have ever blamed faith or religious traditions for these acts of violence. We never hear that Hinduism, Christianity or Judaism is responsible for violence against women even though one can twist sacred text into misogynist passages in each faith traditions. But, when a Muslim is involved in such an unfortunate incident, not only is the individual put on trial, which he should face, but his faith is also slandered. This does not mean that Muslim women are not physically abused. They suffer from this menace the same way as women of other faiths suffer. In fact, the male chauvinism and domination so prevalent in our world that it refuses to treat women as equal.

But some people rather than looking at the issue from a sociological perspective and developing a realistic understanding of the causes rooted in social conditions promoting domination, humiliation, isolation, intimidation, and condemnation, and even lack of faith analysts often find a scapegoat in religious scriptures, arguing that God intends one gender to be in control of the other by whatever means.

The recent case involving the CEO of Bridges TV, and his wife Aasiya Hassan is being viewed by many intellectual midgets as a faith directed murder, overlooking the real issues involved in it.

It is not the faith that dictated the action of the accused. Rather, everything that betrays the faith. Faith is often used to hide one’s crimes and to justify one’s animalistic tendencies.

People are not born violent. But they have the inbuilt capacity to learn violence or non-violence. The faith demands a life style based on love, compassion and mercy even in the worst adverse conditions. Hassan’s alleged action had nothing to do with this moral framework of relationship. Rather it showed those animalistic tendencies that our unbridled material culture and uncontrolled ego have promoted in the form of revenge, greed and domination.

Few are willing to recognize that no one deserves to be abused. The responsibility for the violence belongs to the abuser. It is not the victim’s fault! Financial dependence on a spouse does not mean that the provider has a right to abuse the dependent. Indeed, abuse is a pattern of coercive control over another. Beating is a behavior that physically harms, arouses fear, prevents a partner from doing what they wish or forces them to behave in ways they do not want. Many also fail to understand that domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sect, religion or gender. Professing a faith does not make a person immune from that behavior.

Abusers are very good at making excuses for the inexcusable. They blame their abusive and violent behavior on a bad childhood, and even on the victims of their abuse. This pattern needs to be challenged from faith based groups, Muslims included. It is important that Islamic centers and mosques have family counseling support groups to tackle the issue heads on. Some of the symptoms of domestic abuse can be identified by looking at the following issues.

Does a partner feel afraid of the other much of the time?

Does a partner avoid certain topics out of fear of angering the other?

Does one feel that one can’t do anything right for the other?

Or does one feel emotionally numb or helpless?

Do any of the spouses feel humiliated, criticized, or yelled?

Does any of the spouses treated so badly that one is embarrassed to see the family?

Does a spouse blame the other for his/her own abusive behavior?

Does a spouse see the other as a chattel rather than as a person?

Once these patterns are found, they should be brought up to counselors qualified to provide in relationship. If the situation does not improve, the authorities should be alerted to tackle the issue at a legal level. There is no shame in reporting incidents of violence to law enforcement officials if the counseling fails. The faith-based community has to take a strong stand against abuser and stand for the rights of victims to lead a decent life.

Peace in the family is the goal of Islam. Without love and compassion peace cannot be established. Domestic violence destroys this foundation of faith and promotes the idea that relationship with God can be established by following one’s own egotistic ideals. There is no place of violence in any form and shape in a healthy Muslim society. There is no room for abuse. Those who do that are the ones who deny the signs of God and who use faith as a badge rather than as a responsibility to ensure that transgression from the Divine path are not allowed.

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By Anthony Deutsch and Mark Hosenball

Amsterdam/New York– (Reuters) – Anti-Islam groups in America have provided financial support to Dutch politician Geert Wilders, an anti-immigration campaigner who is seeking re-election to the Dutch parliament this week.

While this is not illegal in the Netherlands, it sheds light on the international connections of Wilders, whose Freedom Party is the least transparent Dutch parliamentary group and a rallying point for Europe’s far right.

Wilders’ party is self-funded, unlike other Dutch parties that are subsidized by the government. It does not, therefore, have to meet the same disclosure requirements.

Groups in America seeking to counter Islamic influence in the West say they funded police protection and paid legal costs for Wilders whose party is polling in fourth place before the Sept 12 election.
Wilders’ ideas – calling for a halt to non-Western immigration and bans on Muslim headscarfs and the construction of mosques – have struck a chord in mainstream politics beyond the Netherlands.France banned clothing that covers the face in April 2011 and Belgium followed suit in July of the same year. Switzerland barred the construction of new minarets following a referendum in 2009.

The Middle East Forum, a pro-Israeli think tank based in Philadelphia, funded Wilders’ legal defense in 2010 and 2011 against Dutch charges of inciting racial hatred, its director Daniel Pipes said.

The Middle East Forum has a stated goal, according to its website, of protecting the “freedom of public speech of anti-Islamist authors, promoting American interests in the Middle East and protecting the constitutional order from Middle Eastern threats”. It sent money directly to Wilders’ lawyer via its Legal Project, Pipes said.

Represented by Dutch criminal lawyer Bram Moscowitz, Wilders successfully defended himself against the charges, which were brought by prosecutors in Amsterdam on behalf of groups representing minorities from Turkey, Morocco and other countries with Muslim populations.

The case heard in October 2010 was filed in response to Wilders’ comments in the Dutch media about Muslims and his film “Fitna”, which interlays images of terrorist attacks with quotations from the Koran and prompted protests by Muslims in Islamic countries worldwide. The court found he had stayed within the limits of free speech.

Pipes declined to say how much his group paid for Wilders’ defense.

Moscowitz declined to discuss payments for Wilders’ defense, citing client confidentiality.

Wilders said in an emailed statement that his legal expenses were paid for with the help of voluntary donations from defenders of freedom of speech.

“I do not answer questions of who they are and what they have paid. This could jeopardize their safety,” Wilders said.

VISITS TO THE UNITED STATES

Wilders, 49, first became a member of the Dutch parliament for the pro-business Liberal Party before winning nine seats for his own Freedom Party in 2006, campaigning against Islam, which he calls a threat to Dutch culture and Western values.

He called Islam a violent political ideology and vowed never to enter a mosque, “not in 100,000 years”. His party won 24 seats in the 150-seat lower house in June 2010.

He has been under 24-hour security for eight years after receiving death threats from radical Muslim groups in the Netherlands and abroad. Norwegian mass killer Anders Breivik cited anti-Islamic comments by Wilders in an online manifesto that sought to justify his crimes. Wilders has denounced Breivik and his actions.

David Horowitz, who runs a network of Los Angeles-based conservative groups and a website called FrontPage magazine, said he paid Wilders fees for making two speeches, security costs during student protests and overnight accommodation for his Dutch bodyguards during a 2009 U.S. trip.

Horowitz said he paid Wilders for one speech in Los Angeles and one at Temple University in Philadelphia. He declined to specify the amounts, but said that Wilders had received “a good fee.”

When Wilders’ Philadelphia appearance sparked student protests, Horowitz said, he paid a special security fee of about $1,500 to the Philadelphia police department. Horowitz said he also paid for overnight accommodation for four or five Dutch government bodyguards accompanying Wilders on the trip.

Wilders said in response: “I am frequently asked to speak abroad. Whenever possible I accept these invitations. I never ask for a fee. However, sometimes the travel and accommodation expenses are paid. My personal security is always paid for by the Dutch government.”

Pipes and Horowitz denied funding Wilders’ political activities in Holland. Both run non-profit, tax exempt research and policy organizations which, under U.S. tax laws, are forbidden from giving direct financial backing to any political candidate or party. U.S. law does allow such groups to support policy debates financially.

During Wilders’ visit to Los Angeles, where Horowitz runs an organization called the David Horowitz Freedom Center, Horowitz said he organized an event at which Danish cartoons lampooning the Prophet Mohammed (s) were auctioned. He said he did not remember how much money this event raised or what happened to the proceeds.

Horowitz agreed with the Dutchman’s repeated, public comparison of the Koran to Hitler’s Mein Kampf. Comparing the two works was a “fair analogy,” Horowitz said. He said Wilders was “fighting the good fight.”

Horowitz said U.S. backers helped Wilders raise money to pay legal fees to fight a ban from visiting Britain in 2009, where he planned to screen Fitna. The British government said at the time: “The Government opposes extremism in all its forms. The decision to refuse Wilders admission was taken on the basis that his presence could have inflamed tensions between our communities and have led to inter-faith violence.”

Wilders won an appeal in the British courts in October 2009 when the ban was overturned.

Wilders has other supporters in the United States, such as Pamela Geller, who runs Stop Islamization of America and has backed Wilders in public statements. Geller remains a supporter. She says she does not provide Wilders with financial assistance.

Wilders has not revealed how his political activities are paid for. Former Freedom Party officials have said he has no personal funds and almost entirely relies on foreign donations.

Like other Dutch political parties, members of parliament for the Freedom Party have been allocated 165,000 euros ($211,200) per year for expenses. Former Freedom Party officials speaking on condition of anonymity said the money, nearly 4 million euros per year, went to the party and has not been accounted for.

Wilders said in his emailed response that former Freedom Party officials making such allegations were bitter and spiteful. “These people have other motives than telling the truth,” he said.

“Our party has a sixty euro annual budget. The rumors about millions of euros in sponsoring are complete nonsense. A Freedom Party-related foundation receives donations from Dutch or foreign sources, but these are modest amounts of money and certainly never millions,” it continued.

The Dutch government turned down requests for additional information about Freedom Party finances.

“I do not possess relevant information or documents” about the Freedom party finances or campaign contributions because the party does not receive subsidies, Dutch Minister for Internal Affairs Liesbeth Spies said in a written response.

(Editing by Janet McBride)

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By Susan Schwartz, TMO

As the anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11 looms in the public mind, a question must also arise. How best to commemorate this tragedy so as not to minimize its impact nor to permit it to become a vehicle for Islamophobia.  Two Islamic groups joined together this past weekend in Los Angeles and found an optimum way. By juxtaposing the experience of the Japanese American community in the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack and the experience of the Muslim American community in the aftermath of 9/11, they have set for the United States a commitment to a path of justice and fairness.

The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) and the Islamic Center of Southern California presented a special Sunday event at the headquarters of the latter, titled: Patriotism and Pluralism after 9/11; Honoring the Japanese American Community. The event was the second of a three part series, commemorating the terrible crime of September 11, 2001.

The meeting room of the Islamic Center was filled to capacity as the audience watched Salaam Al Marayati, the Executive Director of MPAC, present awards to four members of the Japanese American community and to thank them for their support of the Muslim community in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. “We are honoring a very special people”. Indeed the Japanese American community with the memory of post Pearl Harbor internment camps deeply seared, was the first community to reach out to Muslims. One of the awardees, a Buddhist Bishop, offered his temple as a sanctuary to Muslims and hosted Iftars there. In addition, Japanese Americans were prescient enough to catch the whiff of Islamophobia and warned the community before it became overt.

The late Dr. Hassan Hathout spoke at the MPAC Convention immediately following 9/11 and reminded his audience that terrorism does not belong to any religion. He urged people to have “hearts filled with love”’

The program began with a video clip provided by the Japanese American National Museum. The video showed families being rounded up, allowed to take with them a few meager possessions, and sent on their way to what was euphemistically termed internment camps. This took place shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack of December 7, 1941.One of the following speakers pointed out that these camps were for all intents and purposes, concentration camps.

During the presentations that followed the audience gasped as one when told that the United States  kidnapped children from the Japanese American community to hold them as hostages against the Japanese government.

“I almost can’t believe it” said one young woman.

“I can” replied her neighbor.

Dr. Maher Hathout, the senior political advisor to MPAC, closed the event with an address asking what we have learned and what experiences we have gained.

“If you are locked in a date base, that is a kind of concentration camp”. He continued “People hate you, don’t trust you”. A Presidential candidate says in front of a national audience that he would never appoint a Muslim to his cabinet. Thousand of copies of the Islamophobic video “Obsession” are distributed. When discussing the parallels between Pearl Harbor and 9/11, Dr, Hathout suggested that in both cases groups were targeted and subsequently punished for acts they did not do and decisions that did not make. Just as Japanese Americans paid the price in 1941 and the aftermath for a decision made in Tokyo, after 9/11 Muslims had to take the consequences for a decision they did not make and would not have made.

Dr. Hathout urged his audience to make 9/11 an experience that will add to our growth – but not a memory. Memories fade. The U.S. has become more sophisticated in the virtual concentration camp it has created. ‘They saved money on barbed wire and metal bars.”

MPAC and the Islamic Center of Southern California held a blood drive on September 8th and an interfaith service on September 11th.

MPAC was founded in 1986 to create a vibrant identity with respect to Muslim Americans. They sought to represent Muslim interests to decision makers in government and the media and to work within diverse faiths and communities. They have succeeded and surpassed the goals they set in 1986. Please visit their web site at: www.mpac.org.

The Islamic Center of Southern California was the first mosque built in California. While famous for its beauty, it is also noted for the quality of it’s programs, its openness to interfaith work, and its welcoming attitude. Please visit its web site at: www.icsconline.org.

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