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.

[nickcarraway]

I heard the show, she was quite clear she was talking about Muslims who were hostile. (to be euphimistic)

[MeekOneGOP]

The silence by the Muslim community in this country regarding our 9-11
has been DEAFENING !!!! Now this !?!?!?! ...

Dr. Laura Schlessinger ... you go girl !! ...

[RaceBannon]

When I was about 12, our Church Youth group, MYF, went to another church once, we, being from the suburbs, went to an inner city church to see how they worship.

We were told we were going to see a Negro Spiritual!

I met that City Pastor's son once, told him the story...he almost smacked me! Good thing we were buddies when I said it. :)

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Catholic high school kids should not be going to a mosque period.

Dr. Laura was right on target on this one.

[livius]

Being a Catholic, I hate to say it, but sometimes the Pope is just a doofus. His kissing the Koran and Stupid Remarks About Islam (which he obviously doesn't want to understand, even though he is from the land of Jan Sobieski) are the doofus side of him. He may be saintly in many other aspects, of course, but this is the major crisis of our time, and I don't think he's really coming through on this one.

[CanadianLibertarian]

What can one say? Unless they can prove and swear loyalty to the USA - Muslims, out!

[Clintonfatigued]

She put it well. One part that everyone seems to have missed is that she said the mosque should be visited "if it's done its best to root out terrorists" or something like it. That part of her statement is worthy of mention.

[jocon307]

"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."

It's their damn plan, why do they need Dr. Laura to "clarify" it for them.

[jocon307]

"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."

It's their damn plan, why do they need Dr. Laura to "clarify" it for them.

[browardchad]

Nice job of parsing CAIR propaganda.

[Missouri]

One of the "camps" is being built not 10 miles from where I live in rural Iowa.

Hopefully you don't live near Davis County. I have an Aunt that lives in Pulaski.

Every protest was met with complaints of discrimination and racism.

If all else fails, pull the "Race Card".

[nightdriver]

"This is a class on morals. What is the point of going to a mosque?..."

Dr Laura is right on the money. She should tell Hooper and CAIR that she will recommend students visit mosques in America right AFTER they get to visit functioning Christian churches and jewish synagogues in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Middled East.

[Levante]

"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. "

Aww, go boink yourself, Hooper.

[Lijahsbubbe]

We were told we were going to see a Negro Spiritual!

I met that City Pastor's son once, told him the story...he almost smacked me! Good thing we were buddies when I said it. :)

That's funny! I can see it.... "say, I remember when I was a boy and I came to see one of your ah, Negro spirituals....

[Gritty]

The purpose of the field trip was to have the students in a "moral themes" class learn how "Muslims are treated" in America.

I think a much more enlightening field trip on "moral themes" would include a trip to any Muslim country to see how "Christians are treated".

The class would return with a lot more enlightenment than they bargained for - if they returned at all!

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

ordinary American Muslims are the best way to dispel Islamophobic stereotypes and promote religious tolerance

Ordinary American Muslims said nothing about 9/11. I didn't hear a peep out of any of them. As I've said before, The silence of the moderates is deafening.

her on-air claim that there is a "Muslim plan" to take over the world

I believe that, too. I've said as much here on FR. Thank you, Dr. Laura, for having the GUTS to speak the truth.

[hgro]

That Hooper, a convert to Islam, was all over T.V. for months acting like an abused little boy. He is a poisonous jerk. Lets hope Dr. Laura expands on her criticism of the thugs and murderers that permeate the mosques in our country and every other country they have invaded.

[Armedanddangerous]

Sir

I'd be buying myself some guns, were I you. Someday, with that camp around, you will be forced to use them in defense of your family.

A Glock 19 for you young better half, and a couple of AR-15s, with sufficient extra magazines and ammo should do nicely.

You'll thank me later..

[netmilsmom]

>>I hate to say it, but sometimes the Pope is just a doofus<<

Oh my Holy Lord!!! That is the funniest thing I have read all day. I agree, I teach CCD and my Uncle is the former Bishop of Steubenville!

[ladyinred]

Free speech is not allowed for Dr. Laura! I thought she knew that? How silly of her to think she can actually give an opinion when someone asks her! Shouldn't she be jailed for this?

*sarcasm*