I am Muslim and Republican – and was attacked by people in my party

The Guardian ^ | July 4 2014 | Saba Ahmed

[PoloSec]

Earlier this year, I attended an event with former House speaker Newt Gingrich, despite knowing of his stereotypical attitude towards Muslims. I realized then the power of one voice to change people's prejudices – and how rarely people like me use ours: I was the first Muslimah to whom he had ever spoken.

Yes, I am Muslim, and I am a Republican – and that's why I was at the Heritage Foundation panel on Benghazi last month, where I asked the now-infamous question about how conservatives deal with the vast majority of people of my faith who are peaceful. Americans don't expect minorities – especially Muslims – to be Republicans, and it happens often in conservative circles that I am the only Muslim woman in the audience.

I became Republican because I felt that my Islamic values – pro-life, pro-traditional family, pro-business, pro-trade – aligned best with the Republican party platform. I identified as a Democrat for several years when I was younger, but found it hard to defend liberal values as they were so often in conflict with my deeply-held beliefs.

Though I have been a Republican for a long time – and despite having had a tough time with my fellow Republicans in Oregon, where I lived until 2012 – I joined the Washington DC Republican Party earlier this year. They have all been kind and welcoming to me at their meetings, events and fundraisers, and I have made good friends in the GOP.

So the personal attacks by conservatives after my question at the Heritage event went viral came as somewhat of a surprise – though the support from the Republicans who reached out to me did not. As one of the few lobbyists among the 10,000 on Capitol Hill who is a practicing Muslim, I regularly

[beethovenfan]

A peaceful Muslim is a Muslim at room temperature.

[paintriot]

I wasn’t sure who’s side he was on. The left does often employ the smirk or laughter/ridicule as a tool.

[DannyTN]

What does she call this article if not an attack on republicans?

[Thorliveshere]

Instead of beating the drum of “oh, the republican party hates me even though I’m a republican,” she needs to constantly beat the drum of, “I don’t identify with the terrorists and extremists, and I want to change them,” then we can talk. She needs to work from the inside and change the attitude of her own people. Yes, she has a long battle, but when that is done, then...

otherwise, it’s just dhimmitude.

[kitkat]

These are you OWN comments:

“Jesus, too, exhorted his followers to love their enemies –

I exercise my rights and freedoms as an American in both my mosque and in Republican politic

For example, on Independence Day, you will find me both fasting for Ramadan and walking as part of the District of Columbia Republican Party at the Annual Independence Day Parade in Washington DC.”

Jesus was not stupid. He knew we would have people we disliked, possibly even our own neighbors. He taught us to love the SOUL of the person and pray for it.

If you want rights and freedom, then why are you still a member of a mosque?

If you’re such a good American, why do you fast for Ramadan?

[Carriage Hill]

Ditto all of that.

[Dagnabitt]

"Most Muslims are non violent"

Rat poison is 90 percent wheat.

[Joe Boucher]

YOu can say anything you care to.
If you are a moose limb, you are MY enemy.
F you and your gutter “religion”

[Carriage Hill]

I prefer them at 1500°F.

[Ezekiel]

You may be a “good” muslim, but you brethren are demonstrating to the world that it exudes evil, what do you expect?

The arrogant always expect and demand the benefit of the doubt, or even no doubt whatsoever. That this woman is offended by not being able to present and use her "blindly trust and embrace me" card says a lot about her, and none of it good.

From the article:

Earlier this year, I attended an event with former House speaker Newt Gingrich, despite knowing of his stereotypical attitude towards Muslims. I realized then the power of one voice to change people's prejudices – and how rarely people like me use ours: I was the first Muslimah to whom he had ever spoken.

Typical projection from the victim class. And so what if he had never met a "Muslimah". I certainly don't need to meet a cobra or drive off of a cliff to understand what I would be wise to avoid.

This dame sounds like the proverbial harmless snake. When the victim is writhing in pain and at the threshold of death, asking "Why?", the snake dismissively retorts, "You knew I was a snake."

[Carriage Hill]

Winner!

[WilliamIII]

You say that the Muslims you know in America are still in a ninth century culture of marrying 13 year old girls? Forgive me if I misunderstand, but are you saying you know Muslim men who are married to 13 year old girls?

[jeffc]

Sorry, lady, your “religion is hateful and mean-spirited. I suggest you convert to another religion.

[Georgia Girl 2]

” I identified as a Democrat for several years when I was younger, but found it hard to defend liberal values as they were so often in conflict with my deeply-held beliefs.”

I think its your deeply held beliefs that Newt is afraid of.

[steve86]

Most of the Muslims around here are doctors and engineers, affluent, with sentiments much like the author of the article. The exception would be the Somalis, who are, well...Somalis.

[Chode]

ain't THAT the truth... iirc ridicule is one saul ASSinski's tactics

[jeffc]

...I was at the Heritage Foundation panel on Benghazi last month, where I asked the now-infamous question about how conservatives deal with the vast majority of people of my faith who are peaceful.

She wasn't there about Benghazi. She was there as a covert Musloid agent.

So right!!

Her "question" had nothing to do with Benghazi. It was to sow discord and divert the panel from trying to get to the bottom of what happened.

Way too transparent.

[amihow]

Taqiyya!!!!!!

[Gen.Blather]

“Forgive me if I misunderstand, but are you saying you know Muslim men who are married to 13 year old girls?”

Actually, yes. I had a 50 year old Palestinian coworker. When he was in his early 40’s he said he wrote home and said, “Pick me out some wife candidates.” He interviewed them and married a 12 year old. She came back to this country (this would have been roughly the early 80’s) as his wife. She was 13 and pregnant when she arrived. When I met her I thought she was his daughter and he was insulted. He straightened me out.

I was stunned that nobody said anything. By that I mean the passport authorities. He came here when he was 15 and had spent more years here than in Palestine. He was a citizen but still referred to himself as Palestinian. He was insulted to be called American.

I believe this young marriage is more common than we know.

[givemELL]

IN March 2014, the USMCO was formed, the US Muslim Council of Oragainsations. It announced its presence with a Chicago announcement on May 12, 2014. Its purpose is to organize initially efforts as a voting bloc to influence the 2016 election, and, to sponsor as many candidates for office at all levels as possible in the US. Any and all Muslim candidates for political will probably be found to have connections and support from the USMCO and its organisations.

Here are two on what the USMCO is:

http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/6361

http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/2014/05/19/genesis-of-the-us-council-of-muslim-organizations-muslim-brotherhood-political-party/

The creation of the USMCO is of massive significance and ignored by the media totally.