(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 3/6/19) – The Philadelphia and Pittsburgh chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Pennsylvania) today applauded Cross Creek Community Church in Kingston Township, Penn., for its decision to cancel a presentation by Brigitte Gabriel, head of the anti-Muslim hate group ACT for America.
Pastor Dave Martin told a local media outlet that he withdrew approval to hold the event at his church after learning more about Gabriel and her hate group.
SEE: Alleged Hate Group Event Canceled After Chamber Post
Among other conspiracy theories and bigoted statements, Gabriel believes that “America is at stage two Islamic Cancer,” that “every practicing Muslim is a radical Muslim,” that a Muslim “cannot be a loyal citizen of the United States,” and that Arabs “have no soul.”
Video: ACT for America is a Hate Group, Plain and Simple
Gabriel’s group has ties to white supremacist, neo-Nazi hate organizations that exhibit the same bigoted themes as seen at the Charlottesville, Va., neo-Nazi rally.
Video: Anti-Muslim Hate Group ACT for America is Allied with White Supremacists, Racists
ACT for America has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). The SPLC has named Brigitte Gabriel as a member of the nation’s “Anti-Muslim Inner Circle.”
SEE: CAIR Backgrounder on ACT for America
CAIR Backgrounder on Brigitte Gabriel
“We applaud Cross Creek Community Church for its decision not to promote bigotry and falsehoods about Islam by hosting an anti-Muslim hate group leader,” said CAIR-Philadelphia Education and Outreach Director Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu. “In America’s diverse marketplace of religious beliefs, Pastor Dave Martin is setting a powerful example for promoting mutual understanding and rejecting intolerance.”
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Philadelphia Education and Outreach Director Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu; 617-401-5397, atekelioglu@cair.com; CAIR-Pittsburgh Program Director Zohra Lasania, 412-606-3601, zlasania@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com.
