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Muslim publisher honored
INLAND: A Jewish group hails the Fontana man for his courageous opposition to Islamic extremists.
Tashbih Sayyed, publisher of the weekly Pakistan Today newspaper, will receive an award from the American Jewish Committee's 500-member chapter in Orange County.
06/09/2003
By SHARYN OBSATZ THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
A Jewish organization will honor a Muslim publisher from Fontana tonight for his outspoken opposition to Islamic extremism and his work in promoting religious tolerance.
Tashbih Sayyed, publisher of the weekly Pakistan Today newspaper, will receive an award from the American Jewish Committee's 500-member chapter in Orange County.
"He's a devout Muslim who has tremendous respect for other religions," Suzanne Butnik, the chapter's executive director said by phone last week.
In his paper and in TV interviews, Sayyed has defended Israel and criticized Saudi Arabia for exporting Muslim fundamentalism. His views are controversial among Muslims.
"I think it takes a great deal of courage for him to stand up to make these statements so openly," Butnik said.
Sayyed, 62, was born in India and grew up in Pakistan, where he earned a master's degree in political science and headed Pakistan Television Corp.'s current affairs department. When Islamists took over the government in 1980, he immigrated to the United States.
Sayyed said in a phone interview that the majority of U.S. Muslims are moderate but their voices have been silenced by militant leaders in many U.S. mosques and Islamic activist organizations.