Adam Gadahn - One of FBI's 7 Most Wanted - Islamic Society of Orange Co. Muzammil Siddiqi

Adam Gadahn, the American who converted to Islam and is currently one of 7 wanted by the FBI in a worldwide manhunt, converted to Islam at the Islamic Society of Orange Co. Muzammil Siddiqi is head of the Islamic Society of Orange Co. where Gadahn received his religious instruction in Islam. Interestingly enough, Siddiqi is also a past President of the Islamic Society of North America and is currently on the ISNA Executive Council, (www.isna.net).

Siddiqi has made a number of most disturbing statements. "During an anti-Israel rally outside the White House on Oct. 28, 2000, Siddiqi openly threatened the United States with violence if it continued its support of Israel. "America has to learn ... if you remain on the side of injustice, the wrath of God will come. Please, all Americans. Do you remember that? ... If you continue doing injustice, and tolerate injustice, the wrath of God will come." By "injustice," he meant U.S. support for Israel. Siddiqi also has called for a wider application of sharia law in the United States, and in a 1995 speech praised suicide bombers. "Those who die on the part of justice are alive, and their place is with the Lord, and they receive the highest position, because this is the highest honor," he was quoted as saying by the Kansas City Star on Jan. 28, 1995. Wonder where Gadahn got all those gosh darn radical ideas?

Faroque Khan, Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury, is also listed as Chapter President of the Islamic Society of North America. Dr. Khan still maintains a close relationship with the Diocese of Rockville Center through Fr. Tom Hartmann of the "God Squad".

I've met Siddiqi while on a visit to the mosque mentioned in the article. BTW, this mosque is reported to be the largest one west of the Mississippi. The opportunity was during a "bridge event" between Christians and Muslims in the Orange County area. Siddiqi was debating the differences between Islam and Christianity with a noted Christian scholar who's name escapes me at this moment.

After arriving at the mosque and having the ladies separated from us men, we were led to a classroom setting that had chairs set up for an audience. Interestingly, there were a left side of seats and a right side. When I was coming in to find a seat, the ones on the right had the most openings so I grabbed one and was going to reserve the one next to it for my fiance. To my embarrassment, I was whispered to by one the other Christians who was attending that I had mistakenly chosen to sit on the "women's side" of the class and I had to move. When my fiance came in with the other ladies, they were all wearing scarfs over their heads and all sat on the right side seats.

The only thing I remember from the debate was that the Christian speaker whipped Siddiqi's butt in the exchange and thought that "our guy" did it in the most humble and gracious way possible. Afterward, we all had a meal together in their dining area and visited at our tables. My impression that I still have (this was over 7 years ago) was that when the Muslims were challenged to defend their faith, they lost in a big way. All in all though, they were respectful of us and nothing serious happened to any of us.

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