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Civic leaders condemn attack on Calif. Muslim candidate
AP ^ | 10/12/6 | GILLIAN FLACCUS

Posted on 10/12/2006 6:07:28 PM PDT by SmithL

Anaheim, Calif. -- A powerful Republican Party operative who earlier this week accused a Muslim City Council candidate of supporting Islamic extremists on Thursday challenged the Syrian-born man to a debate on his views of Hezbollah and the Middle East.

The challenge from former state GOP chairman Shawn Steel came the same day that more than a half-dozen elected officials and civic and religious leaders rallied behind the candidate, Belal "Bill" Dalati, on the steps of City Hall.

A letter Steel wrote accusing Dalati of helping sponsor an anti-Israel rally and associating with "zany left wing groups" has circulated on the Internet since early this month. The letter was posted on OC Blog, a politically conservative site, by former state Sen. John Lewis, who is a consultant for Councilman Bob Hernandez, one of Dalati's opponents in the nonpartisan race. The post was titled "Something Scary in Anaheim."

On Thursday, Dalati's supporters gathered at City Hall to offer him support and condemn Steel's comments.

"We call on all Californians to reject attempts to spread fear of Islam and Muslims by falsely labeling Arab-American and Muslim-American candidates as extremists," said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "It is disturbing to see a public official exploit the growing anti-Muslim feeling in our society."

Steel's comments have generated heated debate in chatrooms and in Little Gaza, the ethnic core for many of Orange County's Arab-Americans, who numbered more than 24,000 in 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. They have also angered elected officials.

"It's up to us as community leaders to stand up and say this is wrong, we shouldn't tolerate this," said Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Richard Chavez. "This city is a very diverse city and to bring race into it and try to divide the city

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Politics/Elections; US: California; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: belaldalati; terrorsupporters
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Steel must be another of those honest, but "hurtful" Republicans.
1 posted on 10/12/2006 6:07:29 PM PDT by SmithL
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To: SmithL

if CAIR condemns him, then he has my support!


2 posted on 10/12/2006 6:21:26 PM PDT by Zeppelin (You've been Zarqed !)
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To: SmithL
That the left is rallying behind him tells us all we need to know.
3 posted on 10/12/2006 6:24:23 PM PDT by Jaysun (Idiot Muslims. They're just dying to have sex orgies.)
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The inflammatory headline claims there had been an "attack": I assumed the guy had been physically assaulted. In the body of the story, it becomes clear that he had simply been called to account for his pro-terrorist views.Naturally, local democrats are supporting the guy who supports the terrorists. And the press is distorting the story. In the Orwellian world of the media, it's the terrorist apologist who is the "victim." This is really an important election. If the democrats win, this country is in deep trouble. The democrats'affinity for America's enemies is frightening.
4 posted on 10/12/2006 6:25:23 PM PDT by Godwin1
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To: SmithL

The Muslim candidate should reply that the city council does not set foreign policy, but he'd be happy to debate garbage collection schedules and police staffing levels.....if he were smart, that is.


5 posted on 10/12/2006 6:31:06 PM PDT by proxy_user
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To: Godwin1
The inflammatory headline claims there had been an "attack"

The headline also claimed that "Civic leaders condem" when the article lists only one city councilman and a message from the director of DC lobby.

6 posted on 10/12/2006 6:32:27 PM PDT by Amerigomag
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To: SmithL

Shows how mentally retarded the left is. Under islamic law, they would be the first ones beheaded.


7 posted on 10/12/2006 6:41:28 PM PDT by Proud_USA_Republican (We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good. - Hillary Clinton)
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To: SmithL

"The challenge from former state GOP chairman Shawn Steel came .... "

Just why is he "former" ?

If this guy is a Democrat, that's enough reason to toss him, but playing " Muzzie..Muzzie ! " dosen't cut it ....


8 posted on 10/12/2006 6:44:22 PM PDT by RS ("I took the drugs because I liked them and I found excuses to take them, so I'm not weaseling.")
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To: Zeppelin

Thank you. Me TOO


9 posted on 10/12/2006 6:57:07 PM PDT by Dov in Houston
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To: SmithL
Oh how times have changed. Can anyone who was alive during WWII, imagine a Nazi, whether German or American, running for office in the USA (even in California) and being defended by local yokels to the point that they would condemn and demonize his opponent for pointing out the fact he was indeed a Nazi?

I don't think so.

It is a sorry state of affairs today that we have so many absolute d@mn fools who feel compelled to defend unto the death, anyone who even vaguely resembles an enemy of our Republic.

Death should be the punishment for such traitors, but revoking their citizenship and deporting them to the land of the enemies they side with, would be a satisfactory compromise.
10 posted on 10/12/2006 7:00:53 PM PDT by F.J. Mitchell ( Stock up on Kleenex,you cry baby Dems. The Mother of all @$$ kickings is coming to you,)
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To: F.J. Mitchell

muslims can't be trusted. The quran says it's okay to lie, cheat and kill infidels.


11 posted on 10/12/2006 7:30:18 PM PDT by doc maverick
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To: doc maverick
Au contraire, Doc.

Muslims can be trusted to lie, cheat and kill infidels.
12 posted on 10/12/2006 7:39:16 PM PDT by F.J. Mitchell ( Stock up on Kleenex,you cry baby Dems. The Mother of all @$$ kickings is coming to you,)
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To: doc maverick
muslimsDemonrats, can't be trusted. The quranDNC, says it's okay to lie, cheat and kill infidelsRepublicans.
13 posted on 10/12/2006 8:44:53 PM PDT by YdontUleaveLibs (Reason is out to lunch. How may I help you?)
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To: SmithL

"We call on all Californians to reject attempts to spread fear of Islam and Muslims by falsely labeling Arab-American and Muslim-American candidates as extremists," said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Says a spokeman for a group that supports terroist. What A suprise.


14 posted on 10/12/2006 9:02:36 PM PDT by Valin (http://www.irey.com/)
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To: doc maverick


Taqiyya
http://i-cias.com/e.o/
Arabic: 'at-taqiyya
Other spelling: taqiyah


In the Middle East, but especially Islam, the concealment of belief, as a method of self-protection. Taqiyya is allowed, and performed, when necessary to avoid death or injury to oneself or other Muslims. Taqiyya is mainly considered as a part of Shi'i theology or modern-day Islamism.
Taqiyya may be translated with 'fear' and 'caution'. It is closely related to the term katm or kitman, 'concealment'. Taqiyya is in many cases linked with regulations of how Muslims should act with non-Muslims.
The rules concerning the true intention of taqiyya are strict, and abusers of taqiyya will be punished by God.
The permission to conceal the faith is believed to be admitted by the Koran:
Koran 16
108 ... unless it be one who is forced and whose heart is quiet in the faith...

Koran 3
27 ... If you hide that which is in your breasts, or if you show it, God knows it...

Some interpret Muhammad to have performed taqiyya, too, when migrating to Yathrib (later Madina) instead of risking his life staying in Mecca. This interpretation may seem doubtful, but has importance with Muslims in order to legitimize taqiyya. It must be stressed that the two Koran verses above seem to allow acts of taqiyya; they even seem to allow it indiscriminately, meaning that it is up to the individual to decide when it is fit to conceal all or parts of his/her faith.
Traditionally, a majority of Sunnis will not accept taqiyya, arguing that it is an expression of lack of faith in God. Yet, there are Sunni theologians who defend the use of taqiyya, stating that the faith in the heart is what counts, not outward expressions, like with the historian and theologian Tabari (8th/9th century).
With several Shi'i groups, like the Twelvers and the Zaydis, taqiyya has been defined as a fundamental tenet of faith. In some cases, taqiyya has been held as a distinguishing factor between them and the Sunni majority. There are many stories of Shi'i heroes breaking the regulations of his religion to achieve his goals. Unnecessary martyrdom is something that a Shi'i should avoid. With the Assassins, a Shi'i orientation, taqiyya has been an important technique. Entering taqiyya should be done with a niya, the intention, in order to clarify the true intention to conceal one's ideas.
Also, the Ibadis allow the use of taqiyya. Among the Ibadis it is said that "the taqiyya is a cloak for the believer: he who has no religion has no taqiyya."
All this may be seen in terms of who have been dominating the Muslim world over the centuries and not. For Shi'is taqiyya has been seen as vital for the survival of individuals and sects, while Sunnis most of the time have not had to take such considerations.
With modern day's immigration to Western societies, it appears that even Sunnis have applied a Shi'i-like use of taqiyya to avoid different problems with their new societies.
Rules as to when taqiyya is permitted and not, has been set down. A Muslim facing corporal punishment or imprisonment may not perform taqiyya to avoid this. A male with family responsibilities may perform taqiyya if his wife(s) and children are in danger.
In recent years, taqiyya has often been used by militant Islamists, who usually are Sunnis. In preparation for terrorist attacks, using taqiyya has been part of covering their tracks. The world saw a very illustrative example of taqiyya with the 911 (September 11, 2005) attack on USA, when the local al-Qaida leaders went to bars and drank alcohol shortly before initiating their suicide attacks.
Facing persecution from Muslims, some religions of the Middle East have accepted to be labelled as belonging to Islam. For more, see Taqiyya religions, which involves about 22 million people.


15 posted on 10/12/2006 9:05:46 PM PDT by Valin (http://www.irey.com/)
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To: SmithL

didn't see the left condemning the students at columbia for physically attacking Jim Gilchrist.


16 posted on 10/12/2006 9:21:21 PM PDT by sten
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To: Proud_USA_Republican
Let the beheadings begin! We all know that the democrats lost their heads years ago!





Brought to you
by TROP


17 posted on 10/12/2006 9:58:08 PM PDT by Issaquahking (Trust can't be bought)
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To: everyone

Can any knowledgeable person tell us whether any important Republican leaders, especially elected ones, are supporting Steel on this?

God, I hope so.


18 posted on 10/12/2006 10:37:41 PM PDT by California Patriot ("That's not Charlie the Tuna out there. It's Jaws." -- Richard Nixon)
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To: California Patriot

Orange County Register
Letters

Saturday, October 21, 2006
At issue are the issues, not his religion
Sometimes tempests carry implications beyond the immediate teapot. And I seem to have created just such a mini-storm with my letter, which was posted on OC Blog (www.ocblog.net), about Bill Dalati, a candidate for the Anaheim City Council next month ["Letter on candidate condemned," Local, Oct. 13].
To review: I expressed concerns about Mr. Dalati because:
1) He supported an anti-American rally billed on a Council for American Islamic Relations Web site as "Rally Against U.S.-Israeli Terror in Palestine & Lebanon";
2) In 2004, he made a campaign contribution to Cynthia McKinney in her race for Congress (the donation was made after McKinney's infamous views were publicized on President Bush's pre-knowledge and alleged involvement in the 9/11 attacks); and
3) He argued that dowries given in Muslim marriages should be viewed legally as prenuptial agreements (he was quoted in this newspaper in 2001: "I think it is a prenuptial agreement, and it should be enforced here").
Mr. Dalati is a candidate for an important public office, and so his views and political affiliations and public activities are wholly appropriate for examination and criticism.
Mr. Dalati and his CAIR allies now are denouncing me as a racist and an Islamophobe. This is nothing but a smokescreen to muddle the public debate.
When I was the chairman of the California Republican Party, I encouraged Muslim Americans to join the GOP. I sponsored the first Muslim prayer at the party convention, despite criticism from some Christians.
I support another Arab American for mayor in Orange County because of his political views.
I do not judge candidates based on their religion or race.
Shawn Steel
Newport Beach
former chairman of the state Republican Party


19 posted on 10/22/2006 12:04:30 AM PDT by shawn steel
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To: shawn steel

Keep it up, Mr. Chairman. And no need to defensively cite your record on Muslims and Arabs. Dalati is bad news, period. That's the story.

I admire your courage in bringing this up. Are you getting help from any other people who matter in the GOP? Or are you the only one on this? If the powers that be aren't helping you, we should know this. Some of us on FReep, after all, may be county Central Committee members in California, etc.


20 posted on 10/22/2006 12:15:12 AM PDT by California Patriot ("That's not Charlie the Tuna out there. It's Jaws." -- Richard Nixon)
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