The Call: Connecting Radical Theology With the Islamophobia Network

Written by CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid

On November 11, 2011, a evangelical group dubbed The Call will be holding a prayer vigil at Ford Field in which it will be summoning Divine support against "the rising tide of the Islamic movement" along with poverty, murder and abortion.

The Call’s leader Lou Engle, who has ties to the controversial New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), which propagates the concept of spiritual warfare against non-Christians, who they claim are demon possessed such as Muslims. Those who are possessed according to NAR’s understanding must be liberated from bondage, which can including holding exorcisms with driving stakes into the ground at non-Christian houses of worship to cast out demons. National Public Radio (NPR) recently carried an in depth segment about Engle’s association with NAR and its theology. Engle also has direct ties to anti-shari’ah political fear mongers in Michigan.

Right Wing Watch has archived a video of Engle promoting The Call program in Detroit along with his cohort Rick Joyner of The Oak Initiative, which is a group working with Michigan State Representative Dave Agema (R-Grandville) to pass anti-shari’ah legislation in Michigan under the guise of the Restriction of Foreign Laws Act. View CAIR-MI's explanation of the anti-shari'ah legislation and those behind it.

Joyner, who works with and promotes the fake ex-terrorist Kamal Saleem aka Khodor Shami admits to working closely with one of America’s most notorious anti-Muslim bigots named Frank Gaffney of the American Center for Security Policy. Gaffney, who the Center for American Progress (CAP) has found to be a key part of America's multi-million dollar funded Islamophobia network, has actively promoted the "creeping shari'ah" conspiracy theory and defends the anti-Muslim bigotry of white supremacist David Yerushalmi, who is the intellectual architect of anti-shari’ah legislation across America.

Besides these known Islamophobes, The Call has even garnered support from politicians such as MI State Senator Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton) for their prayer vigil. The Call can pray for Muslims or other non-Christian group, which they deem to be heathens to be guided aright; that is no problem. The direct issue is The Call in its theological crusade could be endorsing, perhaps even inciting zealous persons to go onto mosque and Islamic school properties, which are private properties, to commit provocative acts. Moreover, The Call and its direct supporters are bigots, who actively engaged in attempting to marginalize American Muslims from the socio-political fabric of their own country, America.

The Call is not uplifting Detroit or uplifting America with its rhetoric. It is actually feeding into the current divisive climate, which America has not seen since the heydays of the White Citizens' Council in the turbulent 1960’s.

Discrimination, a Recurring Theme Within United States History

Through the many years since it’s birth, America has been duly noted for its “golden paved streets” and the opportunities it presents to immigrant families...or lack thereof. Dating as far back as two centuries ago, the various opportunities have varied from slavery, lower class economic and social imprisonment, and as of recent, discrimination. Whether or not we choose to recognize it, discrimination is not a new issue to America, and is not subjective to any one group in history.However, in present news, discrimination has been subjected and forced upon Arab Americans and Muslims all over the United States. Whether it has been protests against a Ground Zero Mosque or simply signs of racism and discrimination against a female in Islamic attire, there is no doubt about it, prejudice against Islam and the Middle East has taken a leap since the 9/11 tragedy.
Nonetheless, let it be completely clear that Arab Americans, Muslims or even Middle Eastern look-a-likes have not been the only group in this nation subjected to immoral and unconstitutional treatment. A look back in history reflects the several populations that have faced unethical treatment and violation of rights over the past two centuries.

In 1838, a group Mormons that resided in Northern Missouri were brutally assaulted and even murdered in a bloodbath known as the “Massacre at Haun’s Mill.” As the then governor of Missouri, Lilburn W. Boggs, ordered: “...hasten your operations with all possible speed. The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the state if necessary for the public peace.” Why were the Mormons treated as enemies and then attempted to be exterminated? Because of their practice of a unique religion, something that is decreed a free and constitutional right.

Fast forward to a few decades later to 1896, a case of Plessy v. Ferguson hits the papers. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of “separate but equal” facilities which in return, stimulated enforced segregation of whites and blacks, as well as legal discrimination against blacks.Then, into the new century, while the Mormons and blacks (among various other groups that faced unethical and immoral treatment), several other discriminatory movements began.
Discriminatory laws passed in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s did not only target blacks, but then, Southeast Asians as well. Initially welcomed with open arms to America, Chinese and Japanese immigrants (among other Southeast Asian immigrants as well) were looked upon as a source of cheap labor. However, not much later, these same workers and immigrants were soon denied the right of citizenship, ownership of land and even to marry outside races! They were discriminated against so much that in 1924, legal immigration from Japan was ceased completely on behalf of the United States.
Fast forward to 2011, it does not seem unusual that once again another group is facing discrimination. As history shows, legal and unjust discrimination has been on continuum for many decades and even centuries in this nation. A question to consider is, what group could possibly be next? But a more important question to consider is, when will we learn to accept one another, regardless of religion, race, color or sexuality? Who knows, but there is one thing we have learned for sure...history repeats itself.

Aseel Machi, Communication Pre-Law Junior at Michigan State University, East Lansing, CAIR-MI Intern

A Timeline of Discrimination in United States History

Mormon Discrimination

The Missouri Mormons had settled in a town called Far West in the northern part of the state, following their expulsion from Independence in 1834. Mobs assaulted the Mormons at several of their communities in the fall of 1838. Twenty Mormons, including several children, were slain in the "Massacre at Haun's Mill." Smith and some of his associates were apprehended on accusations Mormons to this day maintain were groundless. [1]

“Missouri’s Governor Lilburn W. Boggs, dated 27 October 1838, which stated: “Your orders are, therefore, to hasten your operations with all possible speed. The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the state if necessary for the public peace.” [2]

Anti-Irish and Anti-Catholic Discrimination

In the early 19th century, following a wave of immigration to the United States, there were only a limited number of unskilled jobs available. Intense rivalry quickly developed between the Irish and working class Bostonians over these jobs.

In Ireland, a working man might earn eight cents a day. In America, he could earn up to a dollar a day, a tremendous improvement. Bostonians feared being undercut by hungry Irish willing to work for less than the going rate. Their resentment, combined with growing anti-Irish and anti-Catholic sentiment among all classes in Boston led to 'No Irish Need Apply' signs being posted in shop windows, factory gates and workshop doors throughout the city. [3]

“'The Roman Catholic Church...She is the natural ally of tyrants and the irreconcilable enemy of freedom. Individual Catholics in America as elsewhere, are inconsistent, and favor the progress of mankind. Alas! Such are exceptional; the Catholic Church has an ironic logic, and consistently hates liberty in all its forms--free thought, free speech,'" Theodore Parker (minister of the Unitarian church, 1840’s) said.

[4]

African Americans following the Civil War

The Supreme Court ruling in 1896 in Plessy v. Ferguson that separate facilities for whites and blacks were constitutional encouraged the passage of discriminatory laws that wiped out the gains made by blacks during Reconstruction. Railways and streetcars, public waiting rooms, restaurants, boardinghouses, theaters, and public parks were segregated; separate schools, hospitals, and other public institutions, generally of inferior quality, were designated for blacks.[5]

“The territorial legislature of Illinois followed suit in 1813 by enacting an outright prohibition against free black settlers within its borders: Be it enacted by the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the Illinois Territory that it shall not be lawful for any free Negro or mulatto to migrate in this territory, and every free Negro or mulatto who shall come into this Territory contrary to this act shall and may be apprehended and carried by an citizen before some justice of the peace of the county where he shall be taken; which Justice is hereby authorized to examine, and order to leave the Territory every such free Negro or mulatto," read Black Codes of the time [6]

Eastern Europeans (Jews) (1880’s - opening of Ellis Island)

States like New Hampshire discriminated against believers of Judaism; believers of this faith were allowed to worship freely but nothold political office until late 1800’s; and were not allowed to stay in any Grand Hotels of New Hampshire except in Bethlehem.

[7]

Southeast Asians, 1978

Like the Chinese, the Japanese had been welcomed at first as a source of cheap labor, but shortly thereafter, became targets of anti-Asian campaigns, maligned as the "yellow peril." They inherited much of the new prejudice directed previously against the Chinese, especially as the Japanese moved from itinerant farm laborers to become owners of farms and small businesses.Discriminatory laws passed during the early l900s denied the Japanese the right to become citizens, to own land, and to marry outside of their race. In addition, they could not buy homes in certain areas and were barred from jobs in certain industries. Some could only send their children to segregated schools, and in 1924, immigration from Japan was halted altogether.

[10]

“You needn't worry about the Italians at all except in certain cases. Also, the same for the Germans except in individual cases. But we must worry about the Japanese all the time until he is wiped off the map...” John Dewitt, General in the US army. [11]

"‘Dennis Kearney, an Irish-born worker in California, spoke out against Chinese workers. ‘A bloated aristocracy has sent to China … for a cheap working slave…. The father of a family is met by them at every turn. Would he get work for himself? Ah! A stout Chinaman does it cheaper….'"[12]

Discrimination in the United States has been around since it’s birth, and in fact, the United States could arguably have been conceived on the basis of discrimination and genocide of the Native Americans, now a very sparse minority. Through two centuries of unethical treatment to anyone that is different in religion, race, color or sexual orientation, one is bound to question...when will it finally end? From a “massacre” of about 20 Mormons in 1838 to the containment of hundreds of thousands of Japanese during World War II in internment camps, this is a serious question that needs serious response from behalf of the United States government and it’s people. Today, Arab Americans and Muslim Americans are under fire and have been for years, but after us, what will come next? History shows Mormon, Eastern European, Black, Southeast Asian, and now Middle Eastern and/or Muslim discrimination, one can only guess which group is in line next for unfair and illegal violation of constitutional rights to be treated equal.

Aseel Machi, Communication Pre-Law Junior at Michigan State University, East Lansing, CAIR-MI Intern

The "Foreign Law" Bans and Legislators' Anti-Sharia Remarks

A surprising number of national political figures, pundits, and state legislators have turned their attention to the possibility that Muslims are trying to subvert US and state constitutions using Sharia law. This has drummed up enough hysteria to propose legal bans on Sharia in the US. A total of 24 states have proposed bills to render void any use of “foreign” law in their state courts, but Islam is being targeted in these measures. Despite citing the Sharia as a threat to state sovereignty, none of the sponsors of these bills can conjure any instance in which the Sharia or any other foreign law took precedence over federal or state laws. When these politicians claim that the Sharia is “happening” in certain places, they are most likely referring to the fact that Dearborn, MI has the largest Islamic center and largest Arab population in the US.Even so, Dearborn is not governed by the Sharia.

Why the dire need to reinforce the supremacy of American law in America? Here is what some of our political leaders have said about the threat of Sharia in the US:

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich

"This is a clear case of freedom of speech and the exercise of religious freedom being sacrificed in deference to sharia’s intolerance against the preaching of religions other than Islam."

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee

"We live in a country where people are free to be Muslim. They're not free, however, to impose a Muslim law as if it were civil law. If I were to say, okay, everyone must tithe to their local church, people would be outraged."

"If the purpose of a church is to push forward the gospel of Jesus Christ, and then you have a Muslim group that says that Jesus Christ and all the people that follow him are a bunch of infidels who should be essentially obliterated, I have a hard time understanding that." (From The Christian Century)

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum

"Today our leaders have opted for political correctness, referring to our theologically motivated enemies as simply terrorists," he said.

"But terrorism is a tactic, not an ideology. This new existential threat to America, Sharia and its violent iteration jihadism, has yet to be adequately explained by our leaders -- except in using the term terror to describe its military profile that it's violent, widespread and fanatical. But it's more, including non-violent efforts to insinuate Sharia law in Western countries, including our own."

Former CEO of Godfather's Pizza, 2012 Presidential hopeful Herman Cain, when asked if he would appoint a Muslim to his cabinet,

"No, I would not. And here’s why. There is this creeping attempt, there is this attempt to gradually ease sharia law and the Muslim faith into our government. It does not belong in our government."

2012 Nevada Senate contender Sharron Angle

"My thoughts are these, first of all, Dearborn, Michigan, and Frankford, Texas are on American soil, and under constitutional law. Not Sharia law,” Angle said. “And I don't know how that happened in the United States. It seems to me there is something f undamentally wrong with allowing a foreign system of law to even take hold in any municipality or government situation in our United States."

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty

says his decision to shut down a state-sponsored mortgage program designed to appeal to devout Muslims -- who are forbidden by Sharia law to collect or pay interest on loans -- demonstrates his commitment to rooting out Islamic law

Oklahoma State Representative Lewis Moore (R-Edmond)

“I don’t think we should accept or encourage Sharia law in any way, shape or form.”

Oklahoma State Representative Rex Duncan (R-Sand Springs)

“It is a cancer upon the survivability of the UK,” Duncan said. “SQ 755 will constitute a pre-emptive strike against Sharia law coming to Oklahoma.”

“It’s a growing threat, frankly, and this, again, is a preemptive strike. They understand that this is a war for the survival of America, it’s a cultural war, it’s a social war, it’s a war for the survival of our country. In other states while they’ve looked away too long looked to the other way and kow-towed to political correctness, have lost an opportunity perhaps to save their state. "

-- Interview with MSNBC’s Contessa Brewer

Oklahoma State Senator Anthony Sykes (R-Moore)

“Sharia law coming to the U.S. is a scary concept,” Sykes said. “Hopefully the passage of this constitutional amendment will prevent it in Oklahoma.”

Alaska State Representative Carl Gatto (R-Palmer)

“As a kid, we had Italian neighborhoods, Irish neighborhoods ... but they didn't impose their own laws," Gatto said. "When these neighborhoods are occupied by people from the Middle East, they do establish their own laws."

Georgia Representative Mike Jacobs (R)

"We're seeing more of a feeling that Sharia law should be applied in domestic cases," he said, such as divorces.

North Carolina Representative George Cleveland (R-Onslow)

"It's to ensure that any individual in this state does not have to worry about being taken advantage of by foreign laws," said Cleveland, a retired Marine who lives in Jacksonville. "It's barring any international law. If Shariah law tries to be enforced in the state, yeah, it would do it."

South Carolina Senator Mike Fair (R)

In a later interview with Talking Points Memo, Fair stood by his contention, and went as far as to claim that Sharia had been implemented in some parts of the United States.

"This bill has been called anti-Sharia law, and I suppose it does deal with that," Fair told TPM. "There are some localities around the country that have imposed Sharia law in lieu of local laws."

South Dakota Representative Phil Jensen (R)

"The bottom line in America is that you're not in Somalia, so you need to abide by our laws,” Jensen said.

Jensen insists a constitutional amendment such as HJR1004 would not impinge on religion.

"That's a totally separate issue," he said. "No, if anything, it will set Muslim women free."

South Dakota Senator Dan Lederman (R)

Like the Quran, the Bible and the Torah also contain numerous anti-usury scriptures and Lederman, an observant Jew who co-owns a multi-state bail bonds business, said he is not opposed to people buying Shariah-compliant financial products. "But I believe there's something very wrong with promoting something that anti-ethical to our American values...," he said of the links to terrorist funding.

Tennessee Senator Bill Ketron (R)

"This is providing the tools for our law enforcement here in Tennessee to protect not only the citizens, but those peaceful worshipping Muslims who do not interpret Shariah in an extremist manner as to call for jihad … I ask that they stand on our side."

Texas Representative Leo Berman (R)

“It’s being done in Dearborn, Mich., because of a large population of Middle Easterners,” Berman said, “and the judges in Dearborn are using and allowing to be used Sharia law.”

“I heard it on a radio station here on my way in to the Capitol one day,” Berman said Monday in an interview. “I don’t know Dearborn, Michigan but I heard it (Sharia is accepted law here) on the radio. Isn’t that true?”

Indiana Representative Bruce Borders (R),

"I regret being pulled into this issue because I never had the intention of targeting Indiana's Muslim constituents specifically," said Rep. Borders. "I believe all Americans have the right to freedom of religion and that Muslims should not be targeted for discriminatory measures."

For a list of the proposed bans, some of the bills' language, and their progress, see gaveltogavel.us

Kamal Saleem's 'Ex-terrorist' Story Does Not Add Up

Kamal Saleem is one of a number of Middle Eastern faces, who is currently profiting off of the cottage industry of Islamophobia with his "ex-terrorist" turned holy roller road show.

Saleem claims to be from a Lebanese Sunni Muslim family, which is a descendant of the "Grand Wazir of Islam," and that he was a terrorist with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). Furthermore, Saleem states that his terrorism affiliation with the PLO inspired by Islam and the Muslim Brotherhood ended after receiving the “Holy Ghost” and accepting Jesus Christ (Peace Be Upon Him) in his life. Saleem’s story like his other wannabe "ex-terrorist" comrades, however, just does not add up.

For starters as author Chris Hedges points out, there is no such title as the "Grand Wazir of Islam.” Saleem’s “Grand Wazir” lineage claim is also bizarre due to the fact that the adjective “grand” would not be used in front of the term wazir (advisor) to begin with. Even the title “Grand Wazir” was not bestowed upon Aaron (Peace Be Upon Him), who was a prophet and the wazir of Moses (Peace Be Upon Him) according to the Qur’an!

It’s also very interesting that Saleem claims to have been a terrorist inspired by Islam as a member of the secular, Marxist influenced PLO, whose long time executive committee member and long time spokeswoman, Hanan Ashrawi, was a Christian. Saleem wants us to believe that Ashrawi, George Habash and the countless others from Christian backgrounds in the secular PLO were also inspired by Islam as he claims was his “terrorist” motive in dealing with the pesky problem of illegal Israeli occupation.

Furthermore the Muslim Brotherhood, who Saleem claims he had dual affiliation with, was averse to the secular, Marxist leaning PLO during the time that he claimed to have been a member. In fact, it is also well known that the Muslim Brotherhood inspired Hamas was supported by Israel to be an "Islamist" counter to the secular PLO/Fatah. To this day, Hamas and the PLO have been at odds with each other to the point of killing each other in the streets of Palestine in recent years. Hence, Saleem’s claim of being an “Islamist” terrorist in the PLO while having felicity to the Muslim Brotherhood is utterly preposterous.

The reality is that Saleem has made a nice career for himself collecting honorariums, writing a book and getting exposure from the hyper-Islamophobic Aramaic Broadcasting Network (ABN) since the tragedy of 9/11. If he were indeed an “ex-terrorist,” I’m sure that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would have deported him by now for fraud because people with terrorism ties cannot get entry visas much less obtain American citizenship. And the FBI does not simply let “ex-terrorists” walk the streets because they claim to have received the “Holy Ghost” without detaining them for questioning. Changing idelogies does not absolve persons under American law from terrorism ties that they admit to.

The unfortunate part about Saleem’s bogus career is not his snake oil peddling but that there are so many individuals who do not care about the truth and lack intellectual honesty, who provide him a platform.

Exclusive: CAIR – Justice, Equality and Rights

A recent article on Family Security Matter’s Web site accused the Council on American Islamic Relations of “hate, hypocrisy and lies.” It was a rather blatant accusation of an organization that is reputable for its interfaith relations and civil rights work.

The article claimed that CAIR has ties to The Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. As it has been said before and as it must be repeated again, CAIR is not connected to any terrorist organizations.

A 2007 New York Times article said, “Government officials in Washington said they were not aware of any criminal investigation of the group. More than one described the standards used by critics to link CAIR to terrorism as akin to McCarthyism, essentially guilt by association.”

The article’s accusations were also based in part on CAIR’s support of the NAACP’s resolution of racism within the American Tea Party Movement.

It should be pointed out that CAIR’s statement on the Tea Party was not one to claim that the entire movement is racist. It said in its press release that it was asking the Tea Party Movement to “condemn racism within its ranks.”

Among some of the movement’s episodes with prejudice was anti-Islam blogger Pamela Geller’s invitation to speak about "The Threat of Islam" at a Tea Party convention last May, which was clearly an unappreciated prejudice action against Islam.

Geller is the founder of Atlas Shrugs.com, where she often writes against Islam and Muslims, saying that “religious” Muslims believe in the same ideology that all “jihadis” believe in. She was also responsible for placing the well-known “Leaving Islam” ads on New York City buses.

Also, Mark Williams, chairman of the Tea Party Express, claimed that Muslims worship a “monkey-god” and posted an image of Islam's Prophet Muhammad with a Nazi swastika on top of his head. Despite the obvious prejudice here as well, Tea Party leaders refused to disclaim Williams' anti-Islam views.

According to its press release, CAIR is supporting the NAACP’s resolution because it believes if the Tea Party wishes to be taken seriously by the American population then it must renounce the racist statements associated with the movement.

The Family Security Matters article stated that “CAIR is hitching its horse to a particular bandwagon for its own ends.”

It said that CAIR’s mention of racism with Islamophobia is maintaining that criticism of a religious ideology is one and the same as racism. It described this “tactic” as a form of manipulation.

However, it must be understood that Islamophobia is not simply criticism of a religious ideology. Islamophobia is a prejudice against Islam and Muslims grounded in misinformation and fueled by fear that has become more common since the 9/11 attacks.

It has now come to represent prejudice not just against a religion but against any person who “looks” Muslim, Middle Eastern or South Asian. This is where Islamophobic dispositions can blend with those of racism. Both are still wrong and should be eradicated.

A Right Denied

The foundation of America’s pride in itself as a country of freedom, opportunity and equality is its prized constitution. A document that, the last time anyone checked, is meant to be the basis for law in this country.

Let’s remind ourselves of the First Amendment and America’s promises of religious freedom:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble ...”

Religious freedom undoubtedly includes the right to assemble in places of worship. In light of this right, there is no need for controversy regarding the "ground-zero Mosque." Although, there isn’t any lack of it. There have been numerous claims that this Mosque is un-American and a slap in the face of democracy.

An ad, reported by the Detroit News to have been submitted to NBC and CBS, said that the “monstrous” mosque would “celebrate” the murder of Americans on 9/11. It also said that the Mosque was a monument to “their” victory.

Time and again it seems it must be said that those who committed the terrorist attacks on 9/11 are not representatives of Islam or the entire Muslim population. This ad and other assumptions being made about the Mosque are assuming that Muslims, the several billion of us in the world, and those guilty of the 9/11 attacks are one and the same.

Another unfair assumption is that Muslims did not suffer from 9/11. To the contrary, it is clear that Muslims were in the Twin Towers and were victims of the attacks. According to some estimates, more than 30 Muslims died because of the 9/11 attacks.

Also, many Muslims and Islamic organizations have publicly condemned the events of 9/11, acknowledging that they were evil deeds and not representative of the Islamic faith.

Among those is CAIR, which said about the 9/11 attacks, “We condemn in the strongest terms possible what are apparently vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent civilians. We join with all Americans in calling for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators. No cause could ever be assisted by such immoral acts.”

Unfortunately, the lies and obscurities about Muslims are leading to generalizations and misconceptions, which can further lead to the denial of people’s rights such as in the case of the "ground-zero Mosque," or the Cordoba House.

The Cordoba House, features itself as more of a community center than just a place of worship. According to its Web site, the Cordoba House will be a center, guided by Islamic values, of learning, art and culture. It plans to have a 500-seat auditorium, swimming pool, art exhibition spaces, bookstores and restaurants.

The Cordoba Initiative said it aims to achieve “a tipping point in Muslim-West relations within the next decade, bringing back the atmosphere of interfaith tolerance and respect …”

More interfaith tolerance and respect seems to be just what we could use. However, that is only possible if those who are willing to deny religious freedom realize their mistake and allow this Mosque to be built.