Muslim civil rights group says Anti-Defamation League siding
with bigots
WASHINGTON, July 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A prominent
national Muslim civil rights and advocacy group today called on the
Jewish Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to retract its statement
against the construction of an Islamic community center in
New York City.
The Washington-based Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said the ADL acknowledged that
Muslims have the right to build the center, that the planned
13-story building is designed to send a "positive message about
Islam" and that "bigotry" has been expressed by opponents, but that
"ultimately this is not a question of rights."
A number of commentators have slammed the ADL for apparently
caving in to a vocal smear campaign waged against the center by
anti-Muslim bigots.
SEE: ADL - Some Opponents of Ground Zero Mosque are Bigots, But
We Should Let Them Win Anyway
http://tinyurl.com/33mt4dw
Anti-Defamation League: "Ground Zero Mosque" Shouldn't be Built
Because Bigots Would Get Mad
http://tinyurl.com/2uvwv84
Cynthia Tucker: I'm Disappointed
that the ADL has Joined the Demagogues
http://tinyurl.com/37x69e3
Paul Krugman: Bad for the
Jews
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/30/bad-for-the-jews/
"It is shocking that a group claiming to seek 'justice and fair
treatment for all' would side with those engaged in one of the most
egregious Islamophobic smear campaigns in recent memory," said CAIR
National Executive Director Nihad
Awad. "We ask the ADL to reconsider and retract this
ill-considered and divisive statement. With its shameful statement,
the ADL is exploiting and fueling the rising level of anti-Islam
sentiment in our society."
Awad urged ADL members to contact the Jewish group's leaders to
express their opposition to the statement against the Islamic
community center.
He added that officials of a Texas mosque targeted by arson and hate
graffiti say the attacks may be linked to the New York City mosque controversy. Awad also
noted opposition to the construction or expansion of mosques
nationwide and a planned "Burn the Koran Day" in Florida.
CAIR Video: Texas Mosque Vandalism May be Linked to NY Islamic
Center Plan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT0Qfx27GYY
Video: CAIR Rep Debates Islamophobia, Opposition to U.S.
Mosques
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaBSDWQojNI
CAIR Video: Fla. Church to Burn Quran on 9/11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zG7jdHrWhQ
Today, Tea Party supporters are
holding a hate rally outside a mosque in California. A proposal to build a new mosque
in the area allegedly resulted in a phone threat targeting the city
council.
The anonymous message left at the Valley News suggested that a
reporter "tell the City Council to back off on this (mosque
proposal) as much as possible." The caller said there could be
"some major problems if they keep pursuing this mosque in
Temecula."
SEE: Reaction Surfaces Against Rally to Oppose Temecula
Mosque
http://www.myvalleynews.com/story/49749/
Earlier this week, CAIR condemned hate vandalism of a synagogue
in Olney, Md., and expressed
solidarity with the congregants.
SEE: Muslims Condemn Hate Vandalism of Md. Synagogue
http://tinyurl.com/39go66z
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties group. 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.
Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/CAIR/42590232694
Subscribe to CAIR's E-Mail List
http://tinyurl.com/cairsubscribe
CONTACT: CAIR-NY Community Affairs Director Faiza N. Ali, 212-870-2002, 718-724-3041,
E-Mail: fali@cair.com; CAIR-NY Civil Rights Director Aliya Latif, 212-870-2002, 732-429-4268, E-Mail:
alatif@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, 202-488-8787,
E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator
Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787,
202-341-4171, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com
SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations
