Rep. King Hearings on Radicalization of Muslims--How should Muslims respond?
Posted March 07, 2011 by Kamal NawashOn March 10, 2011, Representative Peter King, R-N.Y., of the Department of Homeland Security Committee will hold hearings on the radicalization of Muslims in America. Not surprisingly, most Muslim organizations have accused Representative King of pursuing an anti Muslim agenda and of being a hypocrite since he was a strong supporter of the Irish Republican Army, which the United States labeled a terrorist organization. Representative King has fired back that the Muslim community has not done enough to assist law enforcement in fighting terrorism and that 85 percent of Muslim Mosques are controlled by radicals or the Muslim Brotherhood. Consequently, a controversy has erupted around the hearings and King's allegation that the Muslim community has a problem with extremism has received more media attention than any rational Muslim leader could possible want.
The Free Muslims Coalition does not know the intention of Representative King but we do know that the response of traditional Muslim organizations, in opposing the hearings, has done a disservice to the Muslim community.
It is a well known fact that American Muslims are perceived as extreme and radical by many Americans. Even if Representative King is insincere and has bad intentions, Muslim leaders should embrace the hearings and take the lead in understanding and eliminating the cause of radicalization, to the extent that it exists among Muslims in America. When Muslims take the lead in the fight against radicalism, extremism and terrorism then it will be difficult for their critics to cast the blame on all Muslims or Islam for the actions of a few deranged lunatics.
For this reason, the Free Muslims Coalition salutes Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, a devout Muslim and Chairman of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, for taking the lead in the fight against extremism. We can only hope that other Muslim leaders learn from Dr. Jasser's initiatives.
Comments
ALL POLITICIANS BATHE IN THE POPULARITY SUN. HOWEVER I MUST TELL YOU AS A PRO ARABIC CULTURE GENTLEMEN THAT I BELIEVE OUR GOVERNMENT IS PLAYING THE RACE CARD ON MOSLEMS. THIS WILL ONLY RAISE THE IRE OF MOST AMERICANS WHO NO LONGER TRUST THE MEDIA OR THEIR GOVERNMENT. THAT IS WHY EVERYBODY IS DRINKING CHAI STIKANNA. EVERYTIME AN AMERICAN IS JUMPED ON FOR SAYING THE WORD MOSLEM TERRORIST IT ONLY MAKES HIM MORE DETERMINED NOT TO BE SILENCED.
Posted March 07, 2011 by ABUTOM THE AMERICAN FUNDAMENTALISTI HAVE SEEN THE MOSLEM GIRL SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM BETTER THAN THE MO TOWN VERSION. I HAVE SEEN A LEBANESE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ON 911 CRYING SAYING I AM SO SORRY. TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MURDER OF 3,000 INNOCENT PEOPLE
BY MOSLEMS ON HER SHOULDERS. I SAID TO HER YOU ARE ONE OF US YOU ARE FAMILY.
BUT THE EXPLOITERS WHO PLAY THE AMERICAN LEGAL SYSTEM MAKING A PROFIT ON THE PROPHET WILL GAIN NOTHING. ALL WILL BE LOST WHEN THE LASH COMES BACK. RIGHT NOW AMERICA IS SUBDUED AND BITES IT'S TONGUE. BUT THE HEART IS POUNDING AVENGE 911.
TODAY WE CAN NOT STOP SOMALI MOSLEM PIRATES FROM KILLING 4 SENIOR CITIZENS. EVERYTIME A BOMB GOES OFF IN AN IRAQI MARKET PLACE SOMEONE IN AMERICA SAYS THESE MOSLEMS ARE NOT FIT TO LIVE. IF IT WAS MY OWN PEOPLE DOING THIS I WOULD SAY THE SAME THING.
WHEN WE SEE IRANIAN WOMEN BEING HANGED OFF OF TOW TRUCKS. BEING SHOT IN THE CHEST POINT BLANK AT A DEMONSTRATION.
WHEN WE SEE IRANIAN STUDENTS BEING BEATEN IN THEIR DORMITORY BEDS WE SEE THE WORST OF ISLAM.
WHEN WE SEE A MAD MAN LIKE MCVAY WHO GOT THE FASTEST TRIAL AND EXECUTION IN HISTORY. THEN WE SEE SHEIKH KHALID MOHAMMED THE DESIGNER OF 911 BEING CODDLED BY OBAMA BIN LADEN AND ERIC HOLDER WE KNOW WE ARE NOT GETTING JUSTICE.
WHEN WE SEE A PC MOSLEM ARMY MAJOR BEING ALLOWED TO BRAINWASH AMERICAN TROOPS THEN SHOOTS THEM AS THEY STAND IN LINE TO DIE, WE SAY AMERICANS ARE NOT GETTING JUSTICE.
WHEN WE SEE A MOSLEM AMERICAN SOLDIER THROW A GRENADE INTO A TENT KILLING THE MEN HE TRAINED WITH WE SEE THE WORST THAT ISLAM HAS TO OFFER.
WHEN WE SEE A FATHER RUN OVER GOD'S CREATION HIS OWN BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER BECAUSE SHE HAS DISHONORED HIM WE ASK WHERE IS MOSLEM LOVE?
WHEN WE SEE IMAMS PREACHING JIHAD IN MOSQUES WE SAY ALL MOSQUES ARE TERRORIST CENTERS AND AMMO DUMPS. WHEN WE SEE OUR TROOPS BEING SHOT AT FROM THOSE MOSQUES THAT THEY RESPECT AS RELIGIOUS CENTERS WE ASK WHO IS SPREADING THE JIHAD GERM.
WHAT WE LONG TO SEE IS GOD AND COUNTRY AMERICANS. NOT THE GOD OF FIRE AND WAR BUT THE GOD OF LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF.
WE DO NOT SEE MOSLEMS STANDING UP FOR AMERICA. WE SEE MOSLEMS BLAMING AMERICA AND COMPLAINING ABOUT AMERICA AND WE SAY GO HOME BECAUSE THIS IS NOT YOUR HOME ACCORDING TO YOUR OWN WORDS.
WHERE ARE THE PHOTOS OF MOSLEMS SERVING IN THE US MILITARY? WHY ARE THEY NOT GIVEN PRAISE AND ACCOLADES? ARE THERE ANY BESIDES THE MAJOR HASSAN.
SHOE BOMBERS, UNDERWEAR BOMBERS, THROAT CUTTERS OF WOMEN, SUICIDE BOMBERS WHO LEAVE THEIR EARTHLY RESPONSIBILITIES
ABANDON THEIR FAMILIES FOR 72 VIRGINS. GOD WILL REWARD THEM? FOR WHAT DESTROYING THE LIVES THAT GOD GAVE?
PETER KING IS GOING TO EXPOSE THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM OF MOSLEM USA AND IT WILL NOT BE PRETTY. IF HE IS SILENCED THE MAJORITY WILL SAY THE MOSLEM PROBLEM IS WORSE THAN WE REALIZE. IF HE MAKES US TRUTHFULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WE ALL HAVE. THEN PERHAPS WE CAN SOLVE IT TOGETHER.
FEE AMAN ALLAH
ABUTOM THE AMERICAN FUNDAMENTALIST
I agree with FMC on this. Remembering back to the 1960s there was a Puerto Rican militant group that outwardly advanced its intent to wage armed rebellion against the USA. Congressional hearings were conducted. There is a reason that our USA Muslim community is mainly patriotic. If they wanted to live in a Islamic theocracy, they and their parents / grandparents would not have moved here, to a mixed community where they are a tiny minority. A few however come here as our enemies or are so badly disparaged of our society that they become radicalized here. The only practical way to keep the overall American Muslim community discernable from the splinter population of radicals is to enlist their help in exposing and neutralizing the radicals. They protect us. We protect them. As nature intended.
Posted March 08, 2011 by TrollsteinYour response to Rep. King's hearings was right and proper, i.e., that it is incumbent on the Muslims themselves to root out extremism and radicalism in their own community. Any Muslim should immediately be in touch with the FBI at any suggestion of radicalism just as the Christian community is expected to report such events among themselves. If Muslims expect to be full citizens of a nation, patriotism for the good and benefit of their new country is a requirement on each citizen regardless of their faith.
Posted March 08, 2011 by Dr. BobThe absence of expressions of horror and distaste and empathy in the Muslim community's response to 9/11 was suggestive of tacit approval of the event. My wife and I were in Europe on 9/11, and we saw happy Muslims waving flags in celebration of 9/11. This has tended to polarize us against Islam though we know full well that most Muslims are fine people.
Dr. Jasser is, indeed, to be praised for supporting the hearings and, in general, for publicly opposing the Muslim Brotherhood and the whole alphabet soup of derivative organizations like CAIR, MSA, ISNA, etc. However, it is not correct to call Dr. Jasser a Muslim leader. Unfortunately, he has no following.
Posted March 08, 2011 by CarlOnce again FMC shows itself to be a forward thinking, fair and homnest organization. You are a stalwart represntation of freedom loving Muslims everywhere.
Posted March 08, 2011 by NilesI do not know how King intends to conduct these hearings but I would hope it is designed to truly understand and root out those who are the "foxes in sheep's clothing."
And I do think when I see these premature, overreaching reactions by certain Muslims that "Me thinks thou dost protest too much!"
Senator Joseph McCarthy did this same thing in the 1950s only his scapegoats were called 'communists'. He did grave harm, especially to artists, writers and performers. 'Witnesses' testifying to McCarthy's committee were asked if they were (or ever had been) communists, then they were asked to name anyone who they believed was a communist. I can hear the questions already -- "Are you a radical Muslim? -- Do you know anyone who is a radical Muslim?" Just being named is enough for a guilty verdict.... Here we go again.
Posted March 08, 2011 by PrairieDogInterestingly, I was living in Europe on 9/11. The morning after in Nurmberg I attended a memorial for the victims at which dozens of Muslims and several of their leaders expressed grief at the loss of life and outrage at the perpetrators. Three days later at a memorial in my church in Vienna half the congregation was made of Muslims likewise expressing their grief and dismay. This suggests that Islam and the Muslim community cannot be accurately represented by idiosyncratic personal experience.
Posted March 08, 2011 by obertThere is no question that Muslims should be responsible for identifying and rooting out radicalism. And the reality is that they are doing it, both locally and through ISNA.
Robert
Once again, you are the voice of reason and responsibility. Well said! -Niles
Posted March 08, 2011 by NilesDear President,
Posted March 08, 2011 by MahaI am sorry for what ordinary muslims are going thru here and in other parts of the world where they are at the receiving end of mis-directed grudges.
You are right about all this...truth shall set u free. The protests just add fuel to the fire. Just let congress do their thing and see how things shake out. There is always time to protest and heck even sue if they were unlawful in their pursuits. It's too easy !!
Maha
There are no American Muslims! There are Muslims only. You people did not get out and denounced these radical clerics, terriost and violence against Americans like you were in the streets celebrating 911. If our America is so bad you are free to leave sooner than later. Can we build a Christian church in your country---NOT, can you speak to a muslim about Christianity without being jailed and maybe the person you spoke to being stoned or jailed---NOT?
Posted March 08, 2011 by TomYou people only sow seeds of mistrust as you want your brutal shariah law in our country. It isn't going to happen!
Organized religion is the most dangerous concept the majority of the
Posted March 08, 2011 by butch krichmarhuman race adopted.
We need to retire this invisible superman and begin learning about our
own godliness and that we are co-creators of the outer and inner universe.
It would be an enormous help if these government officials either knew Arabic and what truly occurrs in a Mosque or find someone in authority that can be trusted to tell the truth.
Posted March 08, 2011 by JEMI only wished that what Dr. Zuhdi Jasser say's and others of the same mind set were exposing the core of the problem, but I know that their beautiful rhetoric will in no possible way solve or help change this seemingly everlasting problem. For it is not those born into 'islam'and those who call themselves 'mulims' that for the most part is what causing the problem. I am not in any way a bigot, but the conculsion I have come to is that 'islam itself and therefore the 'quran' is the prolbem. 'mulsim familiar with the 'qruanic' script knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that 'muhammad' and 'allah' are one in the same; that the God of the 'books that came before' had nothing to do with the 'qruan'.
Posted March 08, 2011 by McGeeUnless the 'quran' is exposed for the obvious fraud it is, or dramtic and permanent change to the supposed word of 'god' is made; nothing will change. Believers in a 'god' need to obey him/her, or give up that specific religion because they find in all good consicous that they can not follow its dictates. Those familiar with the 'quran' also know that those who do not fight in the way 'allah' 'he' hates worse than 'he does infidels. Know for sure this fighting has nothing to do with ones internal struggle. No more 'taqyyia'. Start being honest, get to know Isa, from "the books that came before" for 'muhammad himself praised the earlier scripts as acurate and incorruptible. And then forgive yoursevle for being duped; it happens. The insanity of islam does not need to continue. 'muslims' can you drink the chalace of horrible deceit, or does in continue as if no one told the "king" he had no clothes???
To S. Siddiqui
Posted March 08, 2011 by rocketman21You say,
"The followers of the Prophet Muhammed are to lead these people to salvation."
I say, where in the 'quran' does the self pro claimed prophet 'muhammad' lead anyone to salvation? Surah 46 :9; even 'muhammad did not know his end. Read it. Would you not think that at least your proclaimed last prophet would know of obtaining his own salvation???? In the books that came before, all who believe have this assurance. Where is yours?
You say>
" Do you really think they have a clear understanding of what to do."
I say, it looks like you are the one who does not have a clear understanding. Especially after reading the 'quran'. One clear understanding that one comes away with after reading the 'quran' is that 'muhammad' and 'allah' are one in the same, and that the God of the universe has nothing to do with it content.
S Siddiqui cont.
"God bless and guide Dr Jasser but he is an apologist and we need real leadership."
I conclude that Dr. Jasser is an apologist, but when the stench of the 'quanic ayas, are so strong no amount of apologetics will help. Only the compelete exposure of 'islam' will enable all those caught in 'islams' cult, can set them free to serve the God that was presented many years before in the scripts that 'muahammad himself said were uncorruptable. S. Siddiqui, get to know the Isa that 'muhammad never did, and then turn and help your people from the delusion suffered for over 1400 years. Be the man, not the minion.
They are out there. The Truth is out there!
Seek and Ye Shall Find.
Salam
Posted March 08, 2011 by Saleem Siddiqui
Rep. King is a very courageous man because anyone who expresses an opinion not liked by some Muslims is in danger of losing his life. He supported an Irish movement which did not threaten the US, not our physical being nor our way of life. All political conflict is addressed with hysteria by Muslims, whether on campus or in the streets. Muslims force speakers they don't like off the podium. This is not the way of life we cherish in this country. I don't want to see this chaotic, undisciplined culture of public discourse superimposed on the US.
Posted March 08, 2011 by sylvie7Furthermore, there is no significant backlash against Muslims in the US. When compared to the vile venomous things taught about Christians and Jews, the Muslims have nothing to complain about.
Please be kinder to Dr. Jasser. He is trying to make a positive difference. Why can't he be a leader? Does a Muslim leader have to be a religious imam, or can it be just a person? Why don't more reformed Muslims leading more secular lifestyles have demonstrations? I understand the fear, but isn't there a way? You have more friends than you realise. In some unusual places too. But beware of the left. They are troublemakers everywhere. I hope these hearings make a difference to secular lifestyle Muslims being able to be heard more clearly. Best wishes.
Posted March 09, 2011 by NancyRep Kings investigation targeting American Muslims is an outrage.
Posted March 09, 2011 by H EugeniaWe do have in place agencies that specifically deal with those who would harm the USA.
I simply don't have the time to engage in this very important debate by posting a response, but I think your judgment is most wise.
Posted March 09, 2011 by bobI was just at a conference in Chicago where a very angry Muslim woman attacked one of the speakers verbally who had offended her. I had come in late and have no idea whether her anger was justifiable, but I suspect it may well have been. But watching the audience react and based on comments I overheard during the next break in the men's room, she did not win many friends. She was obviously educated and articulate, and I could not help but wonder how she would survive if consigned to the care of the Taliban. Part of me admired her courage to take a stand, while part of me was saddened that her angry words were not likely to serve her cause.
A few weeks after 9/11 I was on a panel at the Carnegie Endowment in NYC, and I said "If America sacrifices our Bill of Rights on the altar of the War on Terror, bin Laden will have won a far greater victory than was apparent as we dug through the remnants of the World Trade Center following the 9/11 attacks." And I've often made the point that every Muslim in America who is harmed from prejudice or other forms of ignorance is as much a victim as those who died or were injured on 9/11.
But there are a lot of otherwise decent Americans -- some who have been my friends for many years -- who are buying in to the rhetoric that "all Muslims" hate America and hope to see all infidels destroyed. (And, indeed, there is language in the holy books of many religions that, if taken literally, could support such thoughts -- very much including the Christian Bible.)
It is certainly true that non-radical Muslims in America have -- and ought to have -- no duty to defend or explain themselves to anyone. But I believe it is in your INTEREST to do so nevertheless, because silence (and the anger exhibited by the young woman in Chicago) make it easier for people to accept some of the hate-filled emails that continue to be circulated.
Thanks in no small part to my University's founder, Thomas Jefferson, Americans have generally (but certainly not always) been tolerant of neighbors who worshiped a different deity (or, as I suspect, used a different word and some different traditions to worship the same deity). My parents were raised in the Protestant traditions in America, and I have always called myself a Christian. But I don't pretend to know the truth about God, and had I been born to Muslim or Jewish or Confucian parents I strongly suspect I would identify myself with the religion of my parents. Most religions share some common principles reflecting a belief in honor and fairness and justice. It pains me deeply to see some of the prejudice that has come out of the 9/11 attacks, and I fear that no one can teach the truth better than Muslims who are willing to speak out against the forces of darkness and extremism.
I'm at least mildly troubled by the King hearings (although I know nothing of the man and have never met him), but I wonder if there is a way to take advantage of them to reassure the legislators and others who attend or watch the hearings on television that there are large numbers of American Muslims (and Muslims in other countries) who are upset by the actions of the extremists (just as virtually every Christian I know is outraged over the behavior of the Westboro Baptist Church who picket at the funerals of fallen American soldiers).
In any event, I congratulate you on this message and I wish you well.
Respectfully,
Bob
Everyone is missing the most important point. Americans understand that every group has criminal element. The difference is that only muslims are incapable of controlling their violent members. The proof is that self admitted mass murderer - Osama Bin Laden is still free. Any other group would have him arrested and extradited to US. Muslims must admit that the peaceful members cannot control violent ones and require help of the whole world in this.
Posted March 09, 2011 by PashaThe new Muslim Advocacy Facebook page, intent on fighting against such inquiry as King is pursuing, have removed my posts inquiring about this issue:
Posted March 09, 2011 by L. Foxhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/WhatUnitesUs/114127235330184
Are we to not hear from them on this issue?
Greetings of Peace:
Posted March 10, 2011 by M. SaalakhanI am an American-born Muslim (with roots that run generations deep in the soil of this land), who loves this country, and who strives to the best of his ability to bring about positive change through his work. I am not part of the "Muslim establishment" of organizations who seem intent on dominating the Muslim voice and image in America, in sometimes very counter-productive ways.
With that said, after watching Dr. Zuhdi Jasser's performance on Capitol Hill today, there is no way that I could responsibly recommend this man, and his "initiatives," as an antidote to what ails us (as Muslims in America). Dr. Jasser appears to be a "devout" secular Muslim - which is to say he is not only lacking in his understanding of deen-ul-Islam - as a divinely given prescription for what ails humanity - but it also suggests that he is profoundly lacking in faith itself. Not confidence building qualities for a wannabe "reformer."
In the struggle for peace thru justice,
"When Muslims take the lead in the fight against radicalism, extremism and terrorism then it will be difficult for their critics to cast the blame on all Muslims or Islam for the actions of a few deranged lunatics."
Posted March 13, 2011 by Dennis DwyerWell said; please continue to urgw all people of good will, regardless of their religious beliefs, to take the high road.
A Roman Catholic with Muslim friends
"We are under siege by Muslim terrorists and yet there are Muslim leaders in this country who do not cooperate with law enforcement." Representative Peter King stated. My question to Mr. King is "Who and how are they not cooperating with law enforcement?" All of the Muslims who have been asked to come to the hearings have attended. It is NOT RIGHT for the politions to tar all Muslims with one brush.
Posted March 24, 2011 by CaymanI only wished that what Dr. Zuhdi Jasser say's and others of the same mind set were exposing the core of the problem, but I know
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