Screening of Islam vs. Islamists [and vs. PBS] at the Writers Guild Theater in Los Angeles

Flopping Aces ^ | 06-15-07 | Wordsmith

[Starman417]

Where on Earth are the moderate Muslims? Thanks to PBS, they’re not on public television.-Deroy Murdock, National Review

Wednesday, I happened to catch Dennis Prager mention a free screening of Islam vs. Islamists: Voices from the Muslim Center at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, Thursday evening. I emailed in for tickets, and within moments, my name was added to a shrinking list.

I must say, my schedule has been packed (hence, the light blogging and blog-visits) and this opportunity coming up was throwing a monkey wrench into the tire of my tired schedule. I almost talked myself out of going, being weary and being unsuccessful in finding a last minute friend (regardless of political affiliation, although I did check in with the conservative choir first) who would be free to attend.

My Thursday had one thing after another pretty much overlapping. I arrived at work late and left early. As it turned out, leaving work early wasn't necessary, as I arrived at theater in under 15 minutes (they even had free parking!).

The film focuses on the lives of four Muslim 'moderates': Naser Khader, a Danish lawmaker; Mohamed Sifaoui, a French journalist; Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, an American physician; and Tariq Fatah, a Toronto-based [looks like a blogger as well- check it out!]. All four are portrayed as valiant protagonists working against the influence of extremist imams and terrorists who are trying to hijack Islam for their own purposes. Jasser explains, "I wouldn't be taking this time away from my family and my profession…unless I felt that I was trying to struggle for the soul of my faith."

Dr. Jasser, Frank Gaffney, and Martyn Burke gave a Q & A right after the airing, which I managed to record with my digital camera (at one point, I tried to get a picture with my phone camera in one hand, digital camera on movie mode still recording in the other). Their message and the message of their film is an important one. A message that, most of all, needs to be heard in the Arab world to counter the propaganda of the puritanical extremists who are making the loudest noise today, and defining Islam, in the eyes of the world. It is pathetically funny that the clerics in the film characterize themselves as the moderate majority, and Muslims such as Jasser as the radical, dangerous extremists.

Separation of Mosque and State

The power and influence of the wahhabist and sulafist fundamentalists who want to impose Sharia Law upon the entire world (of interest in the film is Saudi money funneled into the building of mosques in Chicago and elsewhere in the U.S. for the purposes of promoting wahhabism- basically indoctrinating our own citizens against our culture and way of life), who all but demand for a parallel court and society to be imposed upon Muslims in western societies, is quite shocking (and when those European societies allow it to occur- such as here, here, and here).

One of the problems that comes through in the film, is the marriage of politics and religion amongst the radical Islamists, who demand all should live by Sharia Law. It is the "perfect state"; after all,

“To make laws — only a god does that. And there is only one god in Islam, and that is Allah,” says Slimane Abderrahmane, an Algerian-Danish alumnus of al Qaeda’s terror camps and, later, Guantanamo. “So you’re saying, ‘I’m just like Allah.’ And you can’t do that.”

The moderates in the film, such as Dr. Jasser, deplore how Islamic clerics are dictating how Muslims should feel on issues of foreign policy, rather than confining themselves to matters of personal relationship with God and His Prophet; with simply being a good human being.

Waging Jihad on the "Jihad"

In one part of the film, Tarek Fatah interviews an Imam, who tells him "we should wage jihad on jihad".

I still believe that part of that entails taking the language of legitimacy out of the mouths of the terrorists and calling them for what they are: hirabahists. Not Jihadists, which is how terrorists want to perceive themselves as being; just as they wish to convince fellow Muslims and the world at large that we non-Muslims are in a war against Islam.

If we are to win against the hirabah Islamists, we need to nurture an alliance with Muslim moderates; not alienation. Rather than attacking the flaws we see inherent in their religion, we should focus more on attacking the interpretation of that religion by radical, militant, fundamentalist, extremists engaged in hirabah against the world, including against Muslims who are not them.

Courageous Muslims such as Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, at risk to his own life and the lives of his family, are trying to speak out against the radicals (who, ironically label Muslims like Jasser as radicalized), for, as a good Muslim, he is engaged in the Jihad of fighting for the soul of his religion.

It is utterly baffling to me, that PBS refuses to air this film. If nothing else, it encourages the very notion from the politically correct, multiculturalist left who insist that Islam is a religion of peace. I guess the fact that there are Muslims who wish to join the rest of the world in modernity do not qualify as "Muslim moderates" who speak for Islam.

For those who couldn't be there and for those who wish to hear and to help spread the message...

The following is just a 2 minute introductory audio by Martyn Burke, before the screening of the film:

YOUTUBE VIDEO CAN BE SEEN AT FLOPPING ACES

I know this is long, at just over an hour; but, friends, it's well-worth the listen to:

GOOGLE VIDEO CAN BE SEEN AT FLOPPING ACES

See the Trailer at What the Crap?

Hugh Hewitt transcript of interview with Frank Gaffney  Audio
Review at Libertas
Review at Pajamas Media

Excellent link by Andrew Sullivan to Rod Dreher's review. It's a good "food for thought" read.
 
Other noteworthy past blogposts on the matter:
Ace of Spades
 Blogmeister USA
Gates of Vienna
Hyscience:

• PBS drops I v I on political grounds
• Zuhdi Jasser interview

Little Green Footballs (elaborated and updated on by Frank Gaffney)
Newsbusters
Pajamas Media
The Claremont Institute
 The Hedgehog Blog
What you can do:

1. Call Pat Harrison (president of CPB). 202-879-9600.
2. Politely thank her for allowing this film to be made.
3. Request that she clear the film for showing outside of PBS.

Go to Free the Film, for more.

Cross-posted at Sparks from the Anvil

[Lurker]

Where on Earth are the moderate Muslims?

They're sharpening the knives for the 'extremist' muslims.

See tagline.

L

[nuconvert]

Thanks so much for posting this!

[nuconvert]

Pong

[BigFinn]

Just look at Gaza... extremist vs. moderate? They kill each other with unrivaled vialness because they ENJOY it. They’ve graduated from car swarms to body swarms.

[SoldierMedic]

I recall watching something on PBS about a month or two ago on radical Islam, and “moderate” Muslims. The main thing that stuck with me was this kid made a comment that essentially was: “If it offends me, than I feel like I am being descriminated against”.

[lilylangtree]

Here’s the list of the Board of Directors:

Saturday, June 16, 2007

About PBS - Corporate Facts
PBS Board of Directors

Marie Antoon (2007)*
Executive Director
Mississippi Public Broadcasting
Jackson, Mississippi

Tom Axtell (2007)**
General Manager & Assistant Superintendent
KLVX Communications Group
Las Vegas, Nevada

William F. Baker (2008)**
President & Chief Executive Officer
Thirteen/WNET
New York, New York

Mary G. F. Bitterman (Chair) (2009)**
President
The Bernard Osher Foundation
San Francisco, California

Donald K. Boswell (2008)
President & Chief Executive Officer
WNED-TV
Buffalo, New York

John S. Domaschko (2008)*
President
MC Squared, Inc.
Edgewood, Kentucky

Robert J. Flowers (2009)*
Former Senior Vice President
Washington Mutual
Seattle,Washington

Peter Frid (Vice-Chair)(2007)*
General Manager
New Hampshire PTV
Durham, New Hampshire

Ted A. Garcia (2007)*
General Manager & CEO
KNME
Alburquerque, New México

Peter Hero (2009)**
Senior Advisor
Community Foundation Silicon Valley
San Jose, California

Joyce Herring (2006)*
General Manager
KACV-TV
Amarillo, Texas

M Howard Jacobson (2009)*
Former President
Idle Wild Foods, Inc.
Westborough, Massachussets

Paula Kerger
President
Public Broadcasting Service
Arlington, Virginia

Steven W. Korn (2007)**
Publisher
Fulton County Daily Report
Atlanta, Georgia

Jennifer Lawson (2007)*
General Manager
WHUT
Washington, D.C.

Peter Morrill (2009)*
General Manager
Idaho Public Television
Boise, Idaho

Deborah Onslow (2007)**
President & General Manager
WMHT
Troy, New York

Norman J. Ornstein (2007)**
Resident Scholar
The American Enterprise Institute
Washington, DC

James R. Pagliarini(2009)*
President & Chief Executive Officer
TPT
Twin Cities Public Television
St. Paul, Minnesota

John E. Porter (Vice Chair) (2009)**
Hogan & Hartson
Washington, D.C.

Sharon P. Rockefeller (2009)*
President & Chief Executive Officer
WETA
Arlingon, Virginia

Geoffrey Sands (2007)
Director
McKinsey & Company
New York, New York

Richard Schneider (2009)**
President & CEO
WPBT Channel 2
Miami, Florida

Lionel Sosa (2007)
Chief Executive Officer
MATT Foundation
San Antonio, Texas

Donna A. Tanoue (2009)*
Vice Chairman
Bank of Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii

Eugene Williams (2009)**
General Manager
KTWU-TV
Topeka, Kansas

Thomas K. Williams (2008)*
Alaska Tax Counsel, BP Exploration
(Alaska), Inc.
Anchorage, Alaska

Term expires at the October Organizational Meeting of the Board in the year shown in parentheses beside the name.
Note: *=First Term; **=Second Term.

January, 2007

[weegee]

of interest in the film is Saudi money funneled into the building of mosques in Chicago and elsewhere in the U.S. for the purposes of promoting wahhabism

In violation of our Constitutional prohibition on government establishment of religion. Can a foreign state fund a religion? Should these mosques be denied 501c3 status?

[weegee]

The point PBS tried to hammer home (and that is contrary to this documentary, this its rejection) is that AMERICA is at a crossroads and needs to change policies. Islam “doesn’t need” reformation.

The kufir should leave muslim lands (Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, Indonesia, Spain, Michigan...).

[cerberus]

If we are to win against the hirabah Islamists, we need to nurture an alliance with Muslim moderates; not alienation.

Rather than attacking the flaws we see inherent in their religion, we should focus more on attacking the interpretation of that religion by radical, militant, fundamentalist, extremists engaged in hirabah against the world, including against Muslims who are not them.

So true........thanks for posting this.

[Publius6961]

The power and influence of the wahhabist and sulafist fundamentalists who want to impose Sharia Law upon the entire world (of interest in the film is Saudi money funneled into the building of mosques in Chicago and elsewhere in the U.S. for the purposes of promoting wahhabism- basically indoctrinating our own citizens against our culture and way of life)...

One of the problems that comes through in the film, is the marriage of politics and religion amongst the radical Islamists, who demand all should live by Sharia Law. It is the "perfect state"; after all...

It is remarkable that in an article which is clearly intended to underscore the danger we face and the war we are in, cognitive dissonance is its most prominent feature. Perhaps this is the result of the desire to sound "reasonable" in a venue where that will get you killed, or perhaps it's political correctness; in either case ultimately fatal.

If there is a single mosque or islamic cultural center built in the US in the last 35 years (the same is true elsewhere, but that's their problem), that was not built entirely by Saudi money directly or indirectly, I am not aware of it.

In addition, the notion that islam is the "marriage of religion and politics" only among the "radical islamists" is both false and easily refuted historically.
It has never been anything else!

Why does this matter?
Because writing and preaching that the 1000-foot tidal wave approaching may be water, but "not really dangerous" will kill you every time. Pretending otherwise and repeating it endlessly will neither kill the beast, nor offer any protection whatsoever.

[Publius6961]

If we are to win against the hirabah Islamists, we need to nurture an alliance with Muslim moderates; not alienation. Rather than attacking the flaws we see inherent in their religion, we should focus more on attacking the interpretation of that religion by radical, militant, fundamentalist, extremists engaged in hirabah against the world, including against Muslims who are not them.

They are reasonable.
They are just like us.
We can persuade them with logic.
All false premises and the only questions that remain are:

How long can we continue deluding ourselves that alliances with the 10% of moderates will ultimately prevail against the 90% of killers foaming at the mouth?

Has everyone seen the mindless behavior in the Gaza strip the last few days?

And once we realize unequivocally that reason is not the answer, what means will we employ to eradicate the danger and how will sanity and safety for the US prevail?

[getarope]

PBS-Its demise whose time has come. The sooner, the better!

[steelyourfaith]

Thanks for this.

I first heard of this when Frank Gaffney was interviewed by Paul W. Smith on the Limbaugh Program 4/24/07, second hour.

[weegee]

Islam is a ticking time bomb and you have to disarm it cautiously.

While muslims have no problem with the absolute prohibition of other religions in muslim territories, the one sign that all muslims (including the peaceful ones) agree is a “sign” that jihad is permissible, is when a nation prohibits the practice of Islam. So the more of a threat it becomes to a host nation, the more moderates will go “extremist” as you attempt some sense of stability.

Saudi funding of mosques in America ought to come with a tradeoff of expansion of religious freedoms in Saudi Arabia. NO prohibition on religions practiced in SA. NO prohibition on Jews (today they cannot enter SA). NO prohibition on muslims converting away from the faith. NO prohibition on non-muslims entering the cities of Mecca and Medina.

The Islamic Empire is being spread at the same time the antiAmeircan war (but decidedly pro-Palestinian war) protesters are complaining about American Imperialism.

[Dajjal]

jihad bump

[Wolverine]

View this before seeing the film on FNC, Sat 23 Jun / Sun 24 Jun.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1716235512241010867&hl=en

This is the Q & A session that followed a free screening of a very important film that PBS has refused to air. Participating in the Q & A ... are filmmakers Frank Gaffney and Martyn Burke, along with Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, one of the brave voices from the Muslim center, speaking out at risk to his own life, for the soul of his religion.

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Banned by PBS: Muslims Against Jihad

See the film FNC, Sat 23 Jun / Sun 24 Jun.

Banned by PBS: Muslims Against Jihad

Saturday, June 23 at 9 p.m. ET
Sunday, June 24 at 3 a.m. ET
Hosted by E.D. Hill

[gcruse]

Looks like Fox yanked it.

[Wolverine]

http://www.foxnews.com:80/foxfan/index.html

Banned By PBS: Muslims Against Jihad — Sun 9p eastern

Moderate Muslims are fighting jihadists who want us dead ... but is their effort being stifled by liberal

[gcruse]

I’ve TIVOed up the 3AM scheduling for it. If that is bogus, then Sunday night will have to do.