The Road to Wahhabism [Washington’s Islamic Center]

National Review Online ^ | September 13, 2010 | Victoria Toensing

[sinanju]

Washington’s Islamic Center, a magnificently arched structure gracing Massachusetts Avenue on Embassy Row, was conceived in high principle as a “religious organization to provide a place of worship for the members of the Islamic faith.” Its opening ceremony, in 1957, commanded the presence of President Eisenhower, who praised Islam’s contributions to the “advancement of mankind” and concluded with the resolution that “America would fight with her whole strength for your right to have your own church,” noting that “without this, we would be something less than we are.”

The center’s first board of directors was truly representative of the Islamic world, including members from Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. And its stated mission was full of promise, including a commitment to “enlighten American public opinion on the Islamic Countries . . . and to promote friendly relations between the Muslim world and the Americas.”

Alas, under Saudi control since the mid-1980s, the center has become a hotbed of misogyny and anti-American rancor. In the 1990s, for instance, it brought in Wahhabist cleric Ali Al-Timimi to preach. In 2005, a U.S. federal court in Virginia sentenced Timimi to life in prison after convicting him of ten counts related to terrorism, including soliciting fighters to wage war against the United States and counseling others to aid the Taliban.

Basing its stance on sharia law, the center also recently prohibited women from worshipping in its main prayer hall.

Under Saudi leadership, the Islamic Center has marginalized voices of moderation by shutting other Muslim countries out of running the center. I know this because since August 2006, I have been counsel in numerous legal proceedings involving the center.

[sinanju]

For you D.C. Freepers. In case you were wondering about the history of that Sultan's Palace on Mass. Avenue.

[RC2]

I wonder......Is there a Mosque inside of the White House?

[Yet_Again]

Didn’t realize that this garbage has been going on since Eisenhower. Was he a lefty too? Back in 1957?

[BenLurkin]

[FlyVet]

Money is the mother’s milk of politics. Politicians like money. Wahhabis have lots of money.

[Steve Van Doorn]

Farther back then that. George Washington was paying Jizya or a large ransoms to give our ships safe passage through the Barbary pirates.

And our founding fathers said things to the Muslims to just appease them. Such as we are not a Christian nation.

[RC2]

I think that in 1957, the people of this country would have revolted in mass if the muslims acted then like they are now. Interesting how the liberals have changed things isn’t it?