Here's a shot of the previous Grand Mufti:
Sure. And plenty of people here in this culture lie regularly as well.
But in this instance, since so many individuals are involved, it may be a harbinger of things to come. Muslims coming together, united, to make a cultural/political stance in public. Islam has no central authority like the Roman Catholic Pope in Rome.
Now in the U.S.A., we may have the germ of something unique in all of Islam.
Pleas note I said ‘we may’. I am not going to scoff at these concerted actions on the part of American Muslims, but live the words of Reagan: trust but verify.
Two cents from this mainly-lurker: For me, I agree with “Trust but Verify” for now. But I know about Taqiyya, too. Hmmmm..this is one of the most interesting threads in a long time! What do you all think about the dad of the pantybomber contacting his embassy in a panic about his radicalized son? That sounds like what this fatwa is saying to do, at least on its surface.
Here's a shot of the previous Grand Mufti: