The O'Reilly Factor - USF's Sami Al Arian's Arrest (And What The Muslims Say About It)

The O'Reilly Factor | 26 February, 2003

[Happy2BMe]

Tonight on The O'Reilly Factor, Bill O'Reilly addressed the arrest of Florida State University Professor Sami Al Arian. Bill O'Reilly's guest was Fox news analyst Mansoor Ijaz.

Bill O'Reilly pointed out that he had been under heavy attack over the past year from the Muslim community for originally breaking the first arrest of Professor Al Arian, but had kept quiet over the ongoing debate.

Sami Al Arian was arrested on terrorism-related charges and Bill O'Reilly said that if he was innocent, Al Arian should be fully exhonerated and given full backpay.

In the closing remarks of the segment, Bill O'Reilly said that if the Islamic Imams had come out publicly, which they should have done, after 9/11, and condemned it with mass ralleys that he would recieve it. Bill O'Reilly said that it was the imam's responsibiity to tell the American people what they think - not his.

Bill O'Reilly gave the closing remarks to Fox News analyst Mansoor Ijaz, who had led a very stern and vigorous (sometimes heated) defense for Islam during the segment.

Manssor Ijaz's reply to Bill O'Reilly:

"You're right about that, but there is a problem - and that is that these people are scared. They're scared of you, they're scared of the media, they're scared of people that are driving them further and further under the ground.

And, I'm telling you that it is creating a basement that is going to retaliate against the American people (O'Reilly says, "I hope not!") in a way we have never seen before!

[Happy2BMe]

Mr. Ijaz seemed quite convincing.

[winodog]

I saw it and I was mesmerized. There is no doubt that almost all muslims in americe are sleppers.

[joesnuffy]

Since Muslims in the course of Jihad are encouraged to use lying to their enemies in order to accomplish a higher purpose...the furtherance of Islam and the doctrine of Muhammed
How can we believe anything they say or trust any of them ? Regardless of how much verbage they give to condeming
They use our openess against us ...till we will have none..

[TLBSHOW]

START WITH THE AMC AND CAIR

[chicagolady]

I had a different take. I thought he was really trying to coax O'Reilly to get these goofs to come on "The Factor" and get them on record of where they stand.

I am just assuming this, but I felt like he was pointing O'Reilly to blow the cover off of the Mosques where the Terror Cells are hiding out under a religious cover.

[aeronca]

"Mr. Ijaz seemed quite convincing.

Mr Ijaz was angry--have never seen him so fired up, but blaming O'Reilly for any future muslim uprisings was unfair.

[phelix]

I am just assuming this, but I felt like he was pointing O'Reilly to blow the cover off of the Mosques where the Terror Cells are hiding out under a religious cover.

I hope you are right about that. To me, that not-so-veiled threat didn't do a lot to help their cause. Big words coming from people who are too afraid to state their point of view.

[CedarDave]

I think they are scared about speaking out against the more radical of the Islamic fundamentalists. The radicals threaten fellow Muslims who dare to express disagreement with their interpretation of the Koran and its dictates. If they are recent immigrants to this country, they are scared of retaliation by authorities (including deportation) if they complain. Or worse yet, no action by authorities leaving them feeling isolated and having to deal with the radicals by themselves.

[crazykatz]

HI! Happy!!

"And, I'm telling you that it is creating a basement that is going to retaliate against the American people (O'Reilly says, "I hope not!") in a way we have never seen before!"

Hey, this sounds more like a threat to me... lock the guy up and all his friends too.

[crazykatz]

HI! Happy!!

"And, I'm telling you that it is creating a basement that is going to retaliate against the American people (O'Reilly says, "I hope not!") in a way we have never seen before!"

Hey, this sounds more like a threat to me... lock the guy up and all his friends too.

[stainlessbanner]

The correct institution is USF (South Florida), not UF, nor FSU as the article indicates.

[Happy2BMe]

"The radicals threaten fellow Muslims who dare to express disagreement with their interpretation of the Koran and its dictates."

It's a given there are "radical" Muslims in the United States.

Does this segment really dominate all others to the degree they are fear for their lives for speaking out?

[peteram]

Please correct the headline and text of this thread to read either USF or University of South Florida (rahter than U of Florida and Florida State University)

Thank You.

[Happy2BMe]

"Hey, this sounds more like a threat to me..."

Someone earlier mentioned that Mr. Ijaz is a reliable source of information.

He appeared to be carrying a message to the American people - a warning.

[Uncle George]

It was a threat and this Arab is pissed because the Florida Prof is a Muslum and got caught as a terrorist leader. How quick they do FORGET 9/11 huh? I will NOT FORGET!!!!!!

[UCFRoadWarrior]

I had a different take. I thought he was really trying to coax O'Reilly to get these goofs to come on "The Factor" and get them on record of where they stand.

I am just assuming this, but I felt like he was pointing O'Reilly to blow the cover off of the Mosques where the Terror Cells are hiding out under a religious cover.

---

I kinda got the same feeling, too. Mansoor Ijaz has been right on a number of things.

He may be Islamic...but he does provide some real insight into the Islamic community...not the usual "Islam is a religion of peace" schpiel always heard from others

[Mr. Mojo]

The normally clear-thinking Ijaz was way, way out of line in this interview. O'Reilly was absolutely right to go after the terrorist Al Arian as hard as he did, and if more opportunities presents themselves (through his investigative efforts), he'll nail others similarly. Who gives a flying f/k what Muslim Americans think about it? This isn't a popularity contest, it's a damn war, and American Muslims better start publicly choosing sides real quick. If they choose the side of guys like Al Arian, they'll eventually be killed (and they should be).

And Ijaz's argument that individual Muslims and major Muslim organizations are scared to speak out in favor of the war on terror because "they're scared" is equally lame. It's time for these people to grow some backbone. If they don't, and choose to continue their current course, they'll pay....big time.

[Happy2BMe]

"He may be Islamic...but he does provide some real insight into the Islamic community...not the usual "Islam is a religion of peace" schpiel always heard from others."

Mansoor Ijaz's aggresive attempts to command the interview appeared to have O'Reilly grasping for footing.

There was much insight given in a very few brief moments - this was one of the most accurate Factors I ever recall seeing.

[old-ager]

I used to think Ijaz was decent, sane and ... "western". But a couple of weeks ago when he started off "In the name of allah most merciful" it did not sit well with me. I think his own anger could easily commit him to the dark side. He's already spiritually there, but outwardly trying to look friendly to America. He shares in this anger about which he warns. Ok sleepers, whip it out. If you don't repent first, you will die and go to hell. We will kill the few thousand of you remaining and that will be the end of it.