Posted on 11/19/2003 2:52:20 PM PST by 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.
Good question, I'd like to see his background. I'll go check KFC.com
I am interested in locating a detailed biography on the CAIR personality known as "Ibrahim Hooper." I have contacted this man directly because has been leading a campaign against CAIR critics in Idaho. While serving as a public figure on behalf of CAIR Mr. "Hooper" declines to provide any information as to his identity, aliases used, birth name, education, training, or profession.
Yep. I'm thankful that I'm not that stoopid or effed up.
Of course there is a Muslim plan to take over the World.
There is also a Christian plan to take over the World.
As far as I can see, the major difference between the two plans is that the Christian plan wants to save each and every person's soul and bring them to Christ. The Muslim plan, however, accepts that there will be infidels, as long as they are kept in Dhimmi status (AKA slavery).
What frosts my mug about this school trip to the Mosque is that you know it is going to be full of hand-wringing and whining about how Muslims are oppressed and vilified in America. This is, of course, complete and utter poppycock. There have been a grand total of zero (zilch, nada, bupkis) religious murders of Muslims in this country since 9/11. However, there have been numerous religious murders by Muslims in this country during this period.
And complaining that Muslims seem to tolerate an awful lot of blood-dripping terrorists in their midst does not count as vilification, in my book. That's legitimate criticism. Just as if the Spanish Inquisition was still stretching people on the rack and boiling them in oil, it would not be anti-Catholic bias to criticize the Vatican for that.
Does the church also still recommend not reading the Bible oneself?
This is entirely correct. You will not see ONE Muslim school ever arrange a visit to a synagogue or cathedral for educational purposes.
Ask them why and they will tell you that it is against their religion to acknowlege or respect your religion.
Bait from Catholic bashers?
Thanks, but no thanks.
Then I was barely warm.
Now I am again totally enthusiastic in support of her!
She speaks courageous truth on this enemy that has sworn to destroy America!
Why are we lulled because only 10% are "militant?"
Such a brilliant strategy they have!!
--or is it our government's complicity
FOR THE SAKE OF HOMELAND SECURITY II,
WHICH WILL ELIMINATE ALL RIGHTS OF ALL CITIZENS,
Laughably "for the sake of freedom."
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