Fall 2009 Newsletter Released – Download PDF
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ALERT: SWINE FLU THREATENS HAJJ SEASON
Hajj travelers should get the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine as soon as possible. This year’s hajj will be a major contact point for the virus. It is best to get vaccinated as early as possible. If any pilgrim is suspected of having the flu, he or she will be quarantined by Saudi officials. Read more on CNN.com
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Focus Article: Islamophobia Machine Targets American Muslims
by Nihad Awad
“Are you a believer?” asked the participant in a Capitol Hill gathering of Islamophobes and Muslim-bashers who – according to conference materials – were seeking to promote “freedom of speech and religion.”
When CAIR’s intern answered, “Yes, of course,” the conference participant – whose card indicated he works for “Encountering Islam Christian Ministry” and obviously thinking “believer” meant something other than Muslim – replied, “Good, because we want to cut their [Muslims’] necks off.”
Just one hour later, the officially-registered intern was asked to leave the conference, which was held in the U.S. Congressional Auditorium, because “some of the panel members do not feel comfortable with you being here.” So much for freedom of speech and religion.
Before being ejected, CAIR’s intern heard one audience member seek advice from a panelist as to how American Muslim rights could be “curtailed,” given the fact that “unfortunately” Islam itself cannot be outlawed.
But not to worry – one of the speakers at the Washington, D.C., conference does advocate outlawing Islam in America. That speaker, David Yerushalmi, works for one of the other speakers at the conference, Frank Gaffney Jr.
Other panelists included anti-Islam hate blogger Pam Geller, who has appeared at Muslim-bashing events with Gaffney and with another conference speaker, Florida House of Representatives Majority Leader Adam Hasner. Hasner recently hosted an appearance by extremist anti-Islam Dutch politician Geert “ban the Quran” Wilders in Florida, which was co-hosted by the hate blogger and promoted by another conference panelist, Tom Trento of the Florida Security Council.
Does all this make sense? It does if you understand that there is an “Islamophobia Machine” made up of extremists of all stripes who coordinate and cooperate in a relentless effort to demonize Islam and deprive American Muslims of their civil rights.
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World Commentary
1. US Official Resigns in Protest over Afghan War by Karen DeYoung
2. US Words Thwart Middle East Peace by Ira Chernus
3. Kipling Haunts Obama’s Afghan War by Ray McGovern
