Muslims Ask Dr. Laura to Apologize for 'Tirade'

US Newswire ^ | 11/19/03

[knak]

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A prominent national Islamic civil rights organization today called on nationally-syndicated radio talk show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger to apologize for what the group called an "anti-Muslim tirade" on her Nov. 17 program. ("Dr. Laura's" radio program is heard by 12 million listeners on some 270 stations nationwide.)

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said it received a number of complaints from Muslims who said Schlessinger's remarks crossed the line from legitimate commentary on terrorism to Islamophobic bigotry.

The offensive comments came in response to a mother who asked whether her 16-year-old daughter should take part in a Catholic High School class field trip to a local mosque. The purpose of the field trip was to have the students in a "moral themes" class learn how "Muslims are treated" in America.

Schlessinger said in her response: "This is a class on morals. What is the point of going to a mosque?...You're joking of course...How many Americans have tortured and murdered Muslims...I think you ought to stand up against this class and this teacher. This is despicable. You tell him you are willing to go to the mosque only if it is one that has done its best to route out terrorists in its midst...instead of complaining...I am horrified that you would let her go...I am so sick and tired of all the Arab-American groups whining and complaining about some kind of treatment...What culture and what religion were all the murderers of 9/11...they murdered us...That's the culture you want your daughter to learn about?"

(To listen to Schlessinger's response, go to: http://www.drlaura.com/listen/ Click on Nov. 17, and then on "Dr. Laura 9." There is a charge for access.)

"Dr. Laura's anti-Muslim tirade demonstrates a level of hostility toward Islam that should be of concern to her program's audience and sponsors," said CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

"It has been our experience that one-on-one interactions with ordinary American Muslims are the best way to dispel Islamophobic stereotypes and promote religious tolerance. It is a pity that Dr. Laura would interfere with that learning process by dissuading a student from visiting a mosque." Hooper noted that Schlessinger also confused Arab-Americans and Muslims in her comments. (Many Arab-Americans are Christian.)

In 2002, CAIR sent a letter to Schlessinger asking for a clarification of her on-air claim that there is a "Muslim plan" to take over the world. When Schlessinger's extremist views have been confronted in the past, she has often responded by attacking the source of the challenge, instead of dealing with the substance of the complaints.

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has 16 regional offices nationwide and in Canada.

NOTE: CAIR offers an e-mail list designed to be a journalist's window to the American Muslim community. Subscribers to the list, called ISLAM-INFONET, receive news releases and other materials dealing with American Muslim positions on issues of importance to our society.

[freeangel]

How many Catholic and Protestant churches and synagogues are Muslims required to visit to see that hatred of other faiths and the killing of "nonbelievers" is not taught in those places. How many Muslims are required to read the Bible as freshmen when they enter college. As usual, "diversity" is a one way street and a deep dark slide into the world of PC brainwashing.

[netmilsmom]

>>A: Dr. Laura’s fax number is: (818)461-5140.

Dr. Laura does not have e-mail.

Or you can write her at:
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
P.O. Box 8120
Van Nuys, CA 91409<<

I really would like to start but I don't have a fax machine and I'm a stay at home mom. Any one have a machine or a program to send faxes by e-mail????

[Prime Choice]

Dr. Laura made an excellent point. If the Muslim community wants to be taken seriously about their "peaceful, tolerant" religion, then they need to follow one simple principle:

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS, MUHAMMAD!

[DoctorMichael]

God Bless Dr. Laura.

[San Jacinto]

"It has been our experience that one-on-one interactions with ordinary American Muslims are the best way to dispel Islamophobic stereotypes and promote religious tolerance.

I've only had two "one-on-one interactions" with ordinary Muslims since 9/11. One was with a former Iranian (American citizen, now) who I have known for four years. He likes America. He likes Bush and I like him. No problemo there.

The other was with an Arab lawyer who represented some group of "victims" who felt mistreated for being Muslim. I asked him how any religion could produce murderers like suicide bombers who felt they were doing God's will. He got angry and started to say something about Israel's oppression. I cut him off and said any society who blows up children is disgusting and anyone who defends it is disgusting.

As far as I'm concerned it's the Muslims who need to learn religious tolerance and cut out the whinning.

[CedarDave]

I can't find an e-mail, but here is her Fax...

She has said a number of times on her show that she doesn't do "e-mail", and to use the FAX number to send her a message.

[tapatio]

Dear Muslim Community,
I want to apologize for not noticing before how you teach your children that Israel doesnt exist on a map but that the people who are in that nonexistant piece of land should be blown to bits.
I also want to apologize for not noticing before how you teach intolerence for any religion but Islam.
While I am apologizing let me apologize for not noticing before that driving a plane into a building and killing thousands will get you to the promised land with rewards
Let me also apologizing for my lack of insensitivity at your outrage when Dr. Laura speaks the truth.
You see I didnt see the outrage in the Muslim community when Muslims drove planes into the Trade Centers,Pentagon and a field killing innocent Americans,so if you want an apology for the truth tht someone said,this is all the apology you will get.

[Let's Roll]

Damn and I missed that show!

[tapatio]

I loved that reply.

[weegee]

Brrrrr. I'm sure that Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon will join in to help her fight this chill wind.

Ohhhh, that's right. Susan Sarandon was given special thanks in her efforts to keep Dr. Laura's tv show from ever going on the air.

[Rummyfan]

"This is a class on morals. What is the point of going to a mosque?...You're joking of course...How many Americans have tortured and murdered Muslims...I think you ought to stand up against this class and this teacher. This is despicable. You tell him you are willing to go to the mosque only if it is one that has done its best to route out terrorists in its midst...instead of complaining...I am horrified that you would let her go...I am so sick and tired of all the Arab-American groups whining and complaining about some kind of treatment...What culture and what religion were all the murderers of 9/11...they murdered us...That's the culture you want your daughter to learn about?"

Sounds pretty accurate to me. Of course CAIR would bleat about this - they bleat about everything. Hope Dr Laura stands her ground.

[eleni121]

As a Greek Orthodox, I also have some issues with the hierarchy of my own faith.

It is interesting that the roman and eastern Catholic/Orthodox churches are most accomodating to a cult (islam) who has done the most to savagely brutalize their faithful over the ages.

I'm in agreement with the Rev. Falwell when it comes to Muslims.

[hunter112]

I sent an email to the webmaster at her site, asking him/her to pass it on. I can't imagine the webmaster refusing to pass along a message of support.

[danamco]

What about the muslim's slaughterhouse in Sudan of hundred of thousands of innocent Christians???

[livius]

I'm in agreement with the Rev. Falwell when it comes to Muslims.

Me too. That is, I'm not opposed to them individually, but certainly as a religious/political bloc (remember, Islam does not separate religion and politics).

[jimfree]

CAIR is not relevant in the discussion. They had their chance to speak for what is right. They declined. Ibrahim Hooper is a shill for Islamo-fascism. I don't care and will never care what he thinks about anything.

[jimfree]

CAIR is not relevant in the discussion. They had their chance to speak for what is right. They declined. Ibrahim Hooper is a shill for Islamo-fascism. I don't care and will never care what he thinks about anything.

[Coroner]

bump

[sheik yerbouty]

Stupor Hooper..

[sheik yerbouty]

Does anyone have biographical info on Hooper?