Posted on 10/10/2006 12:24:29 PM PDT by SJackson
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Members of Birmingham's Jewish and Muslim communities are at odds over a Muslim man's ties to an Islamic charity that was shut down by the U.S. government for funding activities by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Temple Emanu-El Rabbi Jonathan Miller is discouraging the Jewish community from taking part in programs with the Birmingham Islamic Society after learning that Palestinian Raed Awad raised funds for The Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, which was shut down in December 2001 for its connections to Hamas.
Awad, who has taken part in numerous interfaith programs since moving to Birmingham two years ago, said he only raised funds to help Palestinian hospitals, orphanages and schools and never saw evidence of funds being directed to violent activities.
"I'm against any violence, Palestinian and Israeli, on both sides," Awad said. "I did not raise funds for terrorism or violent causes."
Awad said he was questioned by the FBI on numerous occasions and took a polygraph test. "I submitted to that of my own accord, without a lawyer," he said.
FBI spokesman Paul Daymond said there's no indication Awad is considered a person of interest in any investigation.
Miller said he's not accusing Awad of criminal activity, but wants him to acknowledge and express regret that he helped raise money for Hamas, which sponsored terrorism and killed civilians.
"The question is the propriety of having someone of his background be their representative and take a leadership role," Miller told The Birmingham News in a story for Monday editions. "It's a question of somebody who has done something that has contributed to the deaths of hundreds of people and has never said, 'I'm sorry.' Absolutely, most of the money went to charities, but significant money went to support murder and terror."
Awad served from 1994 to 2000 as imam of the Masjid Al-Iman mosque in Fort Lauderdale that was attended by Muslim convert Jose Padilla, who was indicted last year for aiding terrorists and conspiracy to murder.
Awad said he did not know Padilla well and had "no influence over him at all."
Muslim leaders said Jewish leaders requested that a Sept. 11 interfaith program sponsored by the National Conference for Community and Justice be postponed because Awad was scheduled to participate.
The "Who is My Neighbor?" program was to take place at the Birmingham Islamic Society's mosque.
"They're boycotting us - they pressured NCCJ to cancel it," said Farook Chandiwala, a member of the Birmingham Islamic Society.
Temple Beth-El Cantor Daniel Gale, an NCCJ board member who was scheduled to be on the program with Awad, said he withdrew when he learned of Awad's past association with the Holy Land Foundation.
Gale said he will not take part in a panel with Awad unless Awad distances himself from and rejects the philosophy and tactics of Hamas.
"What is at stake here is years of working together in the interfaith community," said Ashfaq Taufique, president of the Birmingham Islamic Society and a board member of NCCJ. Taufique said he has no qualms about Awad representing Muslims in interfaith functions.
The Rev. Steve Jones, pastor of Southside Baptist Church and a friend of both Awad and Miller, said Awad has been unfairly characterized as a terrorist sympathizer and other participants in interfaith dialogue, such as Christians and Buddhists and Baha'is, are also negatively affected by the dispute.
Awad said he's willing to meet with concerned Jewish leaders.
"We were making good strides in reconciling the Muslim and Jewish community," he said. "Until I die, I'll have my hand extended to Rabbi Miller and the Jewish community."
Why does Birmingham, Alabama, have a Muslim community?
That's what I wanted to know!
Learn about Islam through pictures. Pretty much self-explanatory.
You might think about passing this around to naive acquaintances.
Remember - VERY GRAPHIC
http://www.faithfreedom.org/gallery.htm
Somebody told them about the other white robed church bombing terrorists.
High volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. also
2006israelwar or WOT
..................
He raised money for "charities" not Hamas, how could one know, and he had "no influence over him [Jose Padilla] at all." , so there's nothing to explain. Ever notice that none of the donors or fundraisers for shut down terrorist charities had any clue where the cash was going?
There has been a series of big to-dos here concerning radical imams being invited to participate in "interfaith" activities. A local PCUSA reverend invited another radical imam to do an "interfaith" program with him and refused to acknowledge that he was giving anti-Semitism a megaphone. There are none so blind, etc.
The local imam's association with Holy Land and Jose Padilla should have been evident from day one, but the local rabbis/preachers have refused to (until now) demand some accountability.
An apology/explanation is long overdue, but I suspect the imam will somehow wiggle off the hook.
That was totally uncalled for. Shame on you.
"Awad said he's willing to meet with concerned Jewish leaders.
"We were making good strides in reconciling the Muslim and Jewish community," he said. "Until I die, I'll have my hand extended to Rabbi Miller and the Jewish community."
Right.. Sure...
"The principle of Al-Takeyya
The Arabic word, “Takeyya”, means, “to guard against.” The principle of Al Takeyya conveys the understanding that Muslims are permitted to lie as a preventive measure against anticipated harm to one’s self or fellow Muslims. They can even deny the faith, if they do not mean it in their hearts. Al-Takeyya is based on the following Quranic verse:
“Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from allah: except by way of precaution, that ye may Guard yourselves from them. But allah cautions you (To remember) himself; for the final goal is to allah.” Surah 3: 28
According to this verse it is acceptable for Muslims to use deceptive tactics. In violation to the teachings of Islam, they can pretend to befriend infidels. In situations where real or imagined harm is perceived they are permitted to display adherence with the ideals of those considered as infidels.
It is important to understand that Muslims take great liberty in expanding the perimeters of circumstances under which they are permitted to lie and to use deceptive tactics. When dealing with Muslim leaders it is essential to keep in mind that they can say or do anything that will get them out of trouble. All the while, they are apt to have just the opposite agenda in their hearts. With this in mind, in matters pertaining to war and international politics, there is a question that we need to ask ourselves. Can Muslim countries be trusted to play it fair and keep their end of the agreements that they sign with non-Muslim nations?"
http://www.islamreview.com/articles/masters.shtml
I've run up against this at a university where I worked. Believe me, butter wouldn't melt in a muslim's mouth when they wanted you to believe something that's an absolute lie or if they want something.
Let's imagine that an imaginary "Jewish extremist" visited a Chabad synagogue JUST ONE TIME, for one of those events that draws huge crowds.
That would be enough to discredit the entire Chabad movement for all eternity.
Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.
Unlikely places like Abilene, TX and Bismarck, ND also have Muslim centres. Take a look at Islamicfinder.org.
Regards, Ivan
Heck, Huntsville has one too and I wish they would all leave this great town!
That's true. And to become an "extremist", he'd only have to open his mouth, mayhem wouldn't be required.
On second thought, I thought all Orthodox Jews were extremists. I read it somewhere. :>)
I live here and I didn't know it....???
Exactly what I was thinking, how many Muslims could possibly live in Birmingham Alabama, are there many 7-11s down there?
Both are sheetheads..
Hmmm, a handfull of racist southeners in the 60's and millions of Christian and Jew hating moslems. Which do you think is worse?
Regretfully, so does Savannah, GA.
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