State Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Texas
Posted on 04/07/2007 4:42:26 AM PDT by Man50D
A state senator in Texas is feeling the heat from constituents – and trying to apologize – for arranging to have a controversial Muslim imam deliver a prayer to open the state Senate that excluded both Christians and Jews.
"Imagine the outcry if a Christian or Jew had offered a prayer that excluded all other religions to open the state Senate!" said S. Newman. "This state and nation were established and have been sustained on a foundation of Biblical principles and practices. The only reason to attack the foundation of any structure is to initiate the process which leads to ultimate destruction."
This week, Imam Yusuf Kavakci of the Dallas Central Mosque opened the state Senate with a plea for protection from those who do not follow Islam.
"Oh, Allah, guide us to the straight path, the path of those whom you have favored, not of those who have earned your wrath or of those who have lost the way," he said.
Islam, of course, teaches that Jews and Christians both have earned the wrath of Allah by failing to follow Islam, and also have lost the way by following the teachings of the Torah for the Jews or the Bible for Christians.
His appearance in the halls of state government had been arranged by state Sen. Florence Shapiro, who has begun responding to constituents who are unhappy with her work.
"I believe that an explanation is due the citizens of our great state … as to why you invite an imam who offers a prayer to open the state Senate that excluded both Christians and Jews," Newman wrote.
Initially, Shapiro responded with a non-answer.
"To Whom It May Concern: Thank you for sending me your thoughts and opinions. I appreciate hearing from my constituents on issues of importance to you and your families. Due to the large number of e-mails my office receives, we are only able to respond by US post mail to those who provide a complete and current mailing address. If you did not include a mailing address, please resend your correspondence with a complete mailing address, so that we can respond to your concerns in a timely manner. Thank you, Florence Shapiro."
Unsatisfactory, said Newman.
"I don't believe a single word in your 'Out of office' auto reply. This is just a way to dampen the reaction to your questionable actions. Yes, I will be looking forward to your US Postal letter reply…," he wrote.
The state senator then followed up with a letter, apologizing if her actions offended anyone.
"Thank you for your correspondence regarding Imam Dr. Yusuf Kavaci (sic). I appreciate your perspective. I want to make it clear that my intentions were never to offend anyone. If I did so, I apologize," she wrote.
"The Freedom and Justice Foundation contacted me with the request for Dr. Kavakci to follow the protocol set two years ago during their legislative day, when Imam Moujahed Bakhach of the Islamic Association of Tarrant County opened the Texas House with a blessing. Having worked with Dr. Kavakci on legislation, and seeing his resume and extensive inter-faith experience, I honored his request."
Kavakci opened by introducing what he would do: "We will pray by reading from first chapter, opening chapter, Al-Fãtehah, from holy Quran, followed by recitation, traditional way of recitation of text from holy Quran, with an addition."
Then he prayed:
In the name of god, Allah, the beneficent, the merciful. All praise is for Allah, our lord, the lord of the worlds, the compassionate, the merciful, master of the day of judgments. Oh, god, Allah, you alone we worship, and you alone we call on for help. Oh, Allah, guide us to the straight path, the path of those whom you have favored, not of those who have earned your wrath or of those who have lost the way. Our lord, have mercy on us from yourself and guide us in our efforts, strivings, and works."
Harris County Republican Party chairman Jared Woodfill also was criticial, telling KTRH radio, which posted a recording of the prayer, that there should have been given some consideration to the Christian faith, which is celebrating its holiest day this weekend, the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. Woodfill says someone of the Christian faith should have given the prayer on the Senate's last day in session before the break.
The imam concluded "with an Islamic chant that sounded eerily like it was coming over the loudspeakers in Tehran," according to a statement from the U.S. Pastor Council. "Ironically, it was a Jewish Republican, Sen. Florence Shapiro who invited the imam to give the prayer that specifically excluded those of her faith as well as Christians."
"Imagine if an evangelical Christian pastor prayed in Jesus name, ONLY FOR CHRISTIANS, before the government of Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, etc., during Ramadan," the statement said.
Pastor Ross Cullins, of the executive committee for the Houston Area Pastor Council, said Christians should let legislators know their concerns.
"Appreciation of diversity in people is not tantamount to acceptance of their gods," he said.
The day he appeared, Shapiro posted a promotion for Kavakci on her state website.
He is a Turkish-licensed attorney and has been a law professor at Istanbul University and Ataturk University in Turkey. He is currently the resident Islamic scholar for the Dallas Central Mosque…" she said. "He serves on the Peace Institute Advisory Board at Richland Community College in Richardson, and is a member of the Richardson ISD Religious Practices Advisory Board as well as the Religious Community Task Force of Dallas Independent School District."
The Dallas-Forth Worth chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations had promoted the occasion as a huge step forward.
"Don't miss the next milestone event for the Texas Muslim community!' DFW-CAIR's announcement read. "On April 4, 2007, the first Muslim imam will open the Texas Senate with an Islamic prayer."
WND reported in 2005 on the nonpartisan Freedom House report documenting Saudi-sponsored hate literature, originating with the government and Saudi-financed sources that reflected "extremist Wahhabi ideology," being disseminated through mosques in the U.S.
One of those mosques, according to a critical editorial in the Dallas Morning News, was Kavacki's:
"The mosque's imam, Dr. Yusuf Kavakci, has publicly praised two of the world's foremost radical Islamists, Yusuf Qaradawi and Hasan al-Turabi, as exemplary leaders. Dr. Kavakci also sits on the board of the Saudi-backed Islamic Society of North America, described in congressional testimony as a major conduit of Wahhabist teaching. Yet Dr. Kavakci tells The Dallas Morning News he rejects Wahhabist teaching. Something doesn't add up," said the editorial.
Unfortunately, I have Sen Gonzo Barrientos representing my district. There is no use sending him any concerns about this or other issues. He is one of if not the worst Texas State Senators. I regret living in his district, but stuff happens and this district will always have a lib, due to the fact that Austin voters are too liberal and stupid.
Same thing for the state rep, Donna Howard. She is as liberal as Gonzo. I hope there is a real Conservative running for this district in the next election.
Dan Patrick walked out, and held a press conference to celebrate diversity.
Frankly, I’d have walked out and held a press conference saying I didn’t believe that an Islamic ‘priest’ should be saying prayers anywhere public during the holiest days of Christianity.
The WOT aside, there’s either separation of church and state or there’s not. This is just another thing that dimlibs don’t get, and they call us conservatives hypocritical.
They must think everyone is as stupid as they are. The voters in this woman’s home district really need to vote her out of office, and in fact she’s created a super opportunity for a recall election.
“Self-Professed Christian”??? Is there any other kind? If you don’t consider yourself a Christian, can you be one?
I think one protezsting senator didn’t attend and the rest just sat there.
protezsting should be protesting
Despite the freedom of religion premise in the Constitution, I now believe strongly that constitutional protection should exclude Islam because:
1- Islam’s goal is to replace all forms of government, violently if necessary, with Islamic theocracies
2- The religion, if adhered to, cannot exist peacefully under our form of government
3- Is totally inconsistent with the culture and morals that has made this country successful
I am sorry, but WOMEN are so gullible. Nancy Pelosi makes nice with Asad, this gal was impressed by his resume — YEGAD, my sisters, what’s with the lack of discernment???
Texas Ping
Well said. I couldn’t agree with you more. Islam is like a cancer growing inside the USA. It continues to spread unnoticed until it is to late and finally consumes the body-this body being the USA.
I personally believe that the Chronicle's point was to belittle him with a smart-aleck smirk and......in a backhanded way, all Christians...as they so often do when describing conservative Christians....
I say stock up on ammo, sight it in and avoid population centers. It might just be your new Muslim neighbor coming for you. They are not here to assimilate.
bump
ping. Someone else saw the article and posted it. It is a good one!
Normally when I refer to dimlibs that don’t get something, I’m talking about the masses that empower the so-called “congressional leaders.” (What an oxymoron; almost as bad as “rap musician.”)
I totally agree that the dimlibs in congress are fully aware of the ramifications of their irresponsible actions, and should be called out for treason, from the lowest-ranking ACLU gopher to Harry Reid and all the rest of them, including all the left-wing fools in entertainment, media, and education.
State Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Texas
Like I said last week...
If this had been suggested 100 years ago...Anyone proposing this “idea” would have gotten an up cloase and personal introduction to the pavement outside the capitol building there in Austin...
I am curious though as to why no other senators didn’t get up and walk out???
I’m sure there are many reasons...At least 31 reasons...Dan seemed to have gotten it right...
I may have had a little rub with his pontifications the other night when Robert Eckels resigned, but I believe Dan hit it right on the head with this one...
For the record, this is a snip of what I posted last week about this...
I guess I’m just not diggin’ the whole concept by any elected official kowtowing, and rolling over on something that is so fundamentally against the grain of what this countries foundations are...
This country was not built upon the founding principles of a islamic faith...So why must some feel that diversity, inclusiveness and acceptance of this somehow makes things better for everyone...
I believe it is an insult, and we should be outraged that it was determined that this was a great idea to do...
100 years ago you (elected official) would have been publically tossed out on the street in front of the state capitol there in Austin for even suggesting something like this...
This country was founded upon Chirstian principles and the war we are fighting now is against a perverted form of islamic fundamentalism that the mainstream muslim is to chicken-shiite to police up themselves...
So why should I, or anyone else, accept an olive branch from the hand of mainstream muslim wimps???
See, I’m having to get my digs in before I dissapear this weekend...
So if I am an ass for saying this...Oh well...I’ve said worse things...
I just don’t think I am at all off the mark on this one...
I still stand by this...
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