Speech by Kamal Nawash in Europe on Fighting Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims

Facilitating Integration and Respecting Cultural Diversity OSCE Conference on Anti-Semitism and on Other Forms of Intolerance June 8-9 in Cordoba, Spain:

My name is Kamal Nawash and as the president of the Free Muslim Coalition Against Terrorism, I am here representing the United States of America and more than six million American Muslims who are proud to call the United States home. I also represent three million Arab Americans, many of whom are Christian. The reason I mention Arab Christians is that they often are perceived as Muslims and often experience the same biases that Muslims face. Thus, the following comments about Muslims generally also apply to Christian Arabs as well.

On 9-11, American Muslims felt enormous grief and sadness for having to witness a symbol of our nation's freedom and strength being destroyed by a fire that was set by criminals who claimed to be Muslims. Most American Muslims vowed never to forget that day and the sight of innocent people jumping from two of the tallest buildings in the world hoping that they might survive certain death by fire.

In addition to the enormous sadness we felt on 9-11, American Muslims also felt anxiety and apprehension at the thought that non-Muslim Americans might blame us for that horrible crime. Our sadness quickly turned into fear of possible "retaliation" against innocent Muslims -- who, in fact, condemned the actions of the terrorists.

However, American Muslims quickly learned that our fear and apprehension were exaggerated. Immediately after 9-11, President George Bush took time from managing the worst crisis that any president can experience and visited a mosque to remind American Muslims and non-Muslims alike that we are all Americans. This demonstrated that even a tragedy like 9-11 will not shake the foundation on which America was founded. That foundation was built on religious freedom, tolerance, justice and a sense of fairness that is found in far too few places of the world. For those American Muslims who still felt fear and anxiety, our government reached out to them again by inviting an Imam to speak at a memorial for the victims of 9-11. Since then, President Bush has not passed up an opportunity to remind all Americans that Islam is both a great religion and a religion of peace.

The proactive leadership of our government in reminding all Americans that Muslims are neither to be targeted nor blamed for the crimes of a few deranged criminals was very successful and influenced a nation during a time of grief. Immediately after 9-11, Americans of all backgrounds began reaching out to their Muslim neighbors by inviting them to churches and town hall meetings. Many non-Muslim women even went so far as to wear head scarves to show solidarity with American Muslim women and to remind all Americans to not cast blame on the innocent.

The type of leadership exercised by the U.S. government immediately after 9-11 is a good example of how government action can foster tolerance and respect for all people, even under the most difficult of circumstances. Unfortunately, some American Muslims did suffer attacks and discrimination as a result of 9-11. Even our government made some mistakes, but most of those were later corrected. The point here is that the discrimination and other difficulties faced by American Muslims were minimized by President Bush's and the U.S. government's swift and intelligent actions to pre-empt and combat a potential backlash against the American Muslim community.

As a consequence of our Government's outreach to the American Muslim community after 9-11, many American Muslims today feel more American than they ever felt before. American Muslims showed their appreciation and devotion to the United States by joining our military, joining various law enforcement agencies, establishing non-governmental organizations and doing all they could to make certain that the 9-11 terrorist acts would never be repeated again on U.S. soil. In fact, the founding of the Free Muslim Coalition Against Terrorism was a direct consequence of the 9-11 attacks. Our goal is to defeat and discredit the ideology that leads to extremism and support for terrorism.

U.S. government agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice have continuously reached out to American Muslim and Arab organizations in order to build mutual understanding, and fight intolerance against Arabs and Muslims. American Muslim and Arab organizations have also initiated programs to assist our government. For example, the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and the Arab American Institute have organized numerous town hall meetings with law enforcement officials; the American Islamic Forum for Democracy and the Muslim Public Affairs Committee have initiated projects to reach out to American mosques and work with them to discredit intolerant and extremist rhetoric from within our community. These initiatives have substantially reduced intolerance against American Muslims and assisted the U.S. Government in developing a mutually beneficial working relationship with American Muslims and American Arabs.

Unfortunately, the 9-11 attacks and the subsequent war on terror did not end the use of terror and mass murder in the name of Islam. Following 9-11, the world again witnessed mass murder of hundreds of train passengers here in Spain and other, smaller terrorist attacks. I am certain these evil acts caused many in Spain and throughout Europe and the OSCE region to be suspicious of their Muslim compatriots. While it may be human nature to react to crimes or tragic events by punishing those who are perceived to be members of the group who committed terrorist acts, it is always wrong to blame an entire group for the actions of individual criminals. It is also counter productive. The OSCE and participating States must continue to combat any retribution or discrimination stemming from such instances.

The war against terrorism and, in particular, terrorism committed by Muslims is an ideological battle that cannot be won without the help of Muslims themselves. American Muslims are playing a crucial role in fighting the ideology that leads to terror. We urge European and Eurasian Muslims to join in that cause. If European governments are not proactive in eliminating bias and discrimination against European Muslims, the European Muslim community will become marginalized. Rather than focus their energies on helping Europe fight terror and intolerance, European Muslims will instead withdraw from society and Europe may lose an essential element in the war on terror. Moreover, the marginalization of European Muslims through bans on religious expression will substantially slow or even bring to a halt the process of integrating European Muslims into the fabric of Europe. For these reasons, we ask the OSCE and its participating States to do all they can to distinguish between the criminals who justify evil in the name of Islam and Muslims who want nothing more than to provide for their families and raise their children to be productive citizens. The OSCE and its member states must continue to play their vital role in promoting tolerance of Muslims and combating discrimination and abuses of Muslims.

Finally, when it comes to anti-Semitism, it is not the exclusive responsibility of Jews to combat it. This is a shared responsibility and I urge my fellow Muslims to combat anti-Semitism wherever it occurs. Similarly, I urge Jews, Christians and all other persons of faith to be just as outraged at intolerance toward Muslims. When any intolerance occurs, we all should respond. Only if we work together can we hope to eliminate intolerance against all people.

Islamic Tolerance:

Saudi Arabia - Conversion by a Muslim to another religion is punishable by death. Bibles are illegal. Churches are illegal.

Yemen - Bans proselytizing by non-Muslims and forbids conversions. The Government does not allow the building of new non-Muslim places of worship.

Kuwait - Registration and licensing of religious groups. Members of religions not sanctioned in the Koran may not build places of worship. Prohibits organized religious education for religions other than Islam.

Egypt - Islam is the official state religion and primary source of legislation. Accordingly, religious practices that conflict with Islamic law are prohibited. Muslims may face legal problems if they convert to another faith. Requires non-Muslims to obtain what is now a presidential decree to build a place of worship.

Algeria - The law prohibits public assembly for purposes of practicing a faith other than Islam. Non-Islamic proselytizing is illegal, and the Government restricts the importation of non-Islamic literature for distribution.

Jordan - Has the death penalty for any Muslim selling land to a Jew.

Sudan - Conversion by a Muslim to another religion is punishable by death.

Pakistan - Conversion by a Muslim to another religion is punishable by death. Bans proselytizing by non-Muslims. Christians regularly put in prison for charges of blasphemy.

Online books

Please visit also the Resource Center. The RC is the collection of Internet websites and other documents that deal with various subjects about Islam. This RC is an excellent database for those conducting research on Islam. As members of FFI keep adding links this database the RC is growing into an encyclopedia about Islam.

Index To Islam Data base
Sirat Rasoul Allah The earliest biography of Muhammad, by ibn Ishaq
Life of Muhammad Vol 1 - Vol 2 - Vol 3 - Vol 4 Sir William Muir Esq.
The Muhammadan Controversy Sir William Muir Esq.
Prophet of doom
Craig Winn
Apology of Al Kindy By Al Kindi Written in the court of AL MÂMÛN Circa A.H. 215; A.D. 830) in defense of Christianity against Islam. Edited and compiledSir William Muir Esq.
An Introduction to Real Islam and Jihad S.K.M.
Islam Undressed Vernon Richards
Who Authored the Qur’an? Abul Kasem
The Root of Terrorism a la Islamic style Abul Kasem
Sex and sexuality in Islam Abul Kasem
Women in Islam: An exegesis By Abul Kasem
Muhammad & Islam
Stories not told before Mohammad Asghar
The Quran: An Introduction Theodor Nöldeke
The Original Sources of The Quran Rev. W. St. Clair Tisdall.
Influence of Animism on Islam An Account of Popular Superstitions Samuel M. Zwemer
Heirs of the Prophets An Account of the Clergy and Priests of Islam the Personnel of the Mosque and "Holy Men" Samuel M. Zwemer
Muhammad, Quran and Islam
Is Muhammad Foretold in the Bible John Gilcrist
My Question to Muslims Jochen Katz
Behind the Veil (Unmasking Islam) A book with the Christian perspective containing many good essays on the status of women, discrimination of non Muslims, slavery, origin, contradictions and the errors of Quran.
Quran and Kafir A. Ghosh
Christians Ask Muslims. Gerhard Nehls

The Challenge of Islam Gerhard Nehls
Negationism in India - Concealing the Record of Islam Koenraad Elst
Understanding Islam Through Hadith Sh. Ram Swarup

Hindu Temples: What Happened to Them Vol. 1 Sri Sita Ram Goel
The Calcutta Quran petition Sita Ram Goel
The Bible, The Qur'an and Science Maurice Bucaille
The Qur'an and the Bible in the Light of History and Science In Response to Maurice Bucaille Dr. William Campbell
The Codification of the Qur'an Text
Qur'an and Embryology (In response to Prof. Keith Moore)
Themes for the Diligent
Books by Iskander Jadeed
A Perfect Quran
Internet Islamic History Source Book
Christian Martyrs in Muslim Spain Kenneth Baxter Wolf
Understanding Islam through Hadis Religious Faith or Fanaticism?
Ram Swarup

http://www.faithfreedom.org/library.htm

Like many Muslims around the world, American Muslims watched in horror as criminals attacked our beloved country on September 11, 2001. American Muslims were disgusted to learn that one of the worst crimes in the history of the United States was committed by criminals who claimed that their actions were somehow justified by the Muslim faith.
On 9-11, American Muslims felt enormous grief and sadness for having to witness a symbol of our nation's freedom and strength being destroyed by a fire that was set by criminals who claimed to be Muslims. Most American Muslims vowed never to forget that day and the sight of innocent people jumping from two of the tallest buildings in the world hoping that they might survive certain death by fire.

Oh REALLY?

Ping for the pic of that Fat Pali BEEYOTCH ululating...

Tell it to a LIEberal, you pathetic Islamazi...I KNOW who my enemies are...both FOREIGN and DOMESTIC!

In 2003 Kamal ran as a Repub for a Democrat rotten bourough Virginia state senate seat (unsucessfully). Here is an article about him. He seems to be a sort of RINO Repub but in Arlington that might just be protective coloring:

Muslim lawyer in race for Va. Senate
By Jon Ward
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published June 29, 2003

A Republican immigration lawyer from Falls Church is seeking to become the first Muslim to be elected to the Virginia General Assembly.

Kamal Nawash, 33, a Palestinian Arab born in Bethlehem, says he is running for state Senate because he believes he can foster understanding between Muslims, including Arabs, and other Americans.

"I just think there's a serious gap of misunderstanding," Mr. Nawash says. "I really believe I can do a lot to bridge the gap. This is something that inspires me."

Mr. Nawash is running in the 31st District, which includes north Arlington, Falls Church and parts of Fairfax County.
He hopes to deny a third term to state Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, a Democrat and Presbyterian who has represented the district for eight years.

Since September 11, Muslim activists in this country increasingly have talked about the need for them to enter the political stage on the local, state and national levels to combat stereotypes and preserve civil liberties.
In Virginia's primary elections early this month, another Muslim leader, Afeefa Syeed, director of the private Al Fatih Academy in Herndon, won the Democratic nomination to run for the Potomac seat on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors in November.

Mr. Nawash's only prior political experience is an unsuccessful run for the Virginia House of Delegates in 2001. At age 9, he moved with his family from Bethlehem to the United States when they settled in New Orleans.
He attended college in Louisiana, then law school in Michigan. He moved to the Washington area in 1996 with no job and no contacts. After studying for a year at American University, he was hired as the legal director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) in the District.

Mr. Nawash says his Republican affiliation reflects his personality: He is committed to fighting stereotypes, unifying parties and promoting individual responsibility and a strong work ethic.
"The initial core ideology is something I'm a strong believer in ... giving people a fishing pole, not a fish," says Mr. Nawash, who has a photograph of President Reagan hanging on his office door. "You can create your own future, if you believe it can happen. I really believe that."

Mr. Nawash is campaigning on improving public transportation, particularly expanding Metrorail service, without raising taxes. He also advocates improving education and increasing housing and education opportunities for low-income families and immigrants.
Although he favors small government, Mr. Nawash says, "I believe there are things the government is responsible for. Education is the first priority. It should be as cheap as possible."

He says he has received about $60,000 in campaign contributions, mostly from Arab-American groups and individuals, but is looking to expand that base of support.
His candidacy comes at a time when Arabs, even those who are not Muslims, protest what they consider unfair scrutiny from the federal government as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The government rounded up 762 foreign nationals, most of whom had violated immigration laws, to check for potential ties to terrorism.

Many Arab-Americans say they want more fellow Arabs to represent them in political office. However, ADC spokesman Hussein Ibish notes that Mr. Nawash will have to overcome questions among many voters.
"He's going to face doubts about the loyalty of Arab-Americans to the United States. That's a fundamental element of public service," Mr. Ibish says. "Voters ... will have to come to trust him. It might be more difficult, but when they get to know him, they'll realize he's an extremely patriotic and dedicated American."

Mr. Nawash insists he doesn't think about the role his ethnicity or religion plays in the campaign.
"It never crossed my mind," he says. "I assume everyone is a friend."
An estimated 3 million Arab-Americans are among the total U.S. population of more than 281 million, Mr. Ibish says. But the Arab population in Northern Virginia is relatively small compared with such areas as Dearborn, Mich., Cleveland, Houston and Orange County, Calif., he says.

According to the Census Bureau, 39,767 foreign-born residents are part of the population of 91,902 in the neighborhoods that Mr. Nawash seeks to represent in Richmond. Of those, 27,050 are unnaturalized.

"I don't know if I could answer that question with exactitude," Mr. Nawash says, when asked how devout a Muslim he is.
Islam calls on the faithful to pray, facing the holy city of Mecca, five times a day. Mr. Nawash says he prays, but not every day.

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