Furor over author Ayaan Hirsi Ali's visit stirs debate on religious freedom

Pittsburgh Tribune Review ^ | Sunday, April 22, 2007 | Robin Acton

[DogByte6RER]

Furor over author Ayaan Hirsi Ali's visit stirs debate on religious freedom (Pittsburgh imam wants Hirsi Ali sentenced to death)

By Robin Acton

TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Say what you want about your religion. Go ahead, say anything that comes into your mind -- even if you don't agree with your minister, your priest, your rabbi. Even if you think you're right and they've got it all wrong, as long as you're not making a direct threat to someone, you can disagree or turn your back and walk away to another faith or to no faith at all.

Here, in America, it's OK. In a land of more than 3,000 diverse religions, your right to religious liberty is a guaranteed protection under the First Amendment.

"The key in the U.S. from the beginning has been to make sure all religious groups not only understand freedoms, but connect them to their own commitment," said Charles C. Haynes, senior scholar and director of educational programs at the First Amendment Center in Arlington, Va., and Nashville.

A community debate over religious freedom surfaced in Western Pennsylvania last week when Dutch feminist author Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a Somali refugee who has lived under the threat of death for denouncing her Muslim upbringing, made an appearance at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

Islamic leaders tried to block the lecture, which was sponsored through an endowment from the Frank J. and Sylvia T. Pasquerilla Lecture Series. They argued that Hirsi Ali's attacks against the Muslim faith in her book, "Infidel," and movie, "Submission," are "poisonous and unjustified" and create dissension in their community.

Although university officials listened to Islamic leaders' concerns, the lecture planned last year took place Tuesday evening under tight security, with no incidents.

[DogByte6RER]

This imam should be investigated immediately for terrorist threats and locked-up as necessary. If this were a 'school kid' calling for a death hit, you can bet your a-- that the police and the feds would be all over it.

[DogByte6RER]

[DogByte6RER]

Hirsi Ali’s book “Infidel” linked at:

http://www.amazon.com/Infidel-Ayaan-Hirsi-Ali/dp/0743289684/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-9587189-6065749?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177340311&sr=1-1

[PGalt]

Outstanding post. Thanks. 152 comments here...

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/016163.php#comments

[353FMG]

“Islamic leaders tried to block the lecture..”

That reminds me of the evening of 9/10/2001 when Muslims protested in downtown Houston because of Salman Rushdie’s (Author of “Satanic Verses”)visit and lecture. These same protestors were mute the next day when the planes hit the WTC and they’re still quiet today.

Throw the bums out.

[DogByte6RER]

Yes...

I remember Salman Rushdie and his “Satnic Verses” from the 1980s.

I am tempted to purchase the “Satanic Verses” on CD and blare it outside of the nearest mosque here in my community...

[Rummyfan]

Islamic leaders tried to block the lecture, which was sponsored through an endowment from the Frank J. and Sylvia T. Pasquerilla Lecture Series. They argued that Hirsi Ali's attacks against the Muslim faith in her book, "Infidel," and movie, "Submission," are "poisonous and unjustified" and create dissension in their community.

islam is a puerile, infantile, misogynistic, murderous cult, and it cannot stand up to criticism and scrutiny or competition, hence its leaders imply try to silence all opposition. This is a perfect example. Over the last twenty years, people have said and artists have executed the most vile things about Christianity, and nary a peep from Christians, certainly not threats of violence to silence such displays. Yet islam cannot withstand the smallest pinprick....

[shekkian]

I’m currently reading her book.

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

Libs adore this violent intolerant ideology.