In the featured article at FrontPage this morning, I discuss CAIR's reaction to the St. Petersburg Declaration of the Secular Islam Summit (news links in the original):
The St. Petersburg Declaration, issued at the Secular Islam Summit in St. Petersburg, Florida, last week, is the most comprehensive and forthright statement of Islamic reform anyone has yet managed to come up with. Instead of denying the existence of the elements of Islam that are being used around the world today to incite violence and justify oppression – as do all too many putative Islamic reformers and moderates – the St. Petersburg Declaration is firmly rooted in reality, and evinces no interest in fashionable evasions or political correctness.Confronting directly the elements of Islamic Sharia law that are at variance with otherwise generally accepted principles of human rights, it affirms “the inviolable freedom of the individual conscience,” in contrast to the Muslim prophet Muhammad’s dictum, “If somebody (a Muslim) discards his religion, kill him” (Bukhari 4.52.260), and calls upon governments to “oppose all penalties for blasphemy and apostasy.” It declares, “We believe in the equality of all human persons,” cutting against the Qur’anic observation that non-Muslims are the “the worst of created beings” (98:6) and that “Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves” (48:29).
Challenging the jihadist aspirations to establish a unified Islamic state under the rule of Sharia, the Declaration states: “We insist upon the separation of religion from state and the observance of universal human rights…. We call on the governments of the world to reject Sharia law, fatwa courts, clerical rule, and state-sanctioned religion in all their forms…”Anticipating criticism, the Declaration adds: “We see no colonialism, racism, or so-called ‘Islamaphobia’ in submitting Islamic practices to criticism or condemnation when they violate human reason or rights.”
But some do – notably the Council on American Islamic Relations. CAIR’s Ahmed Bedier huffed, “In order to have legitimate reform, you need to have the right messengers.” In an editorial, Investor’s Business Daily gave the perfect response to this: “And who might that be? The four CAIR executives who have been successfully prosecuted on terrorism-related charges? The CAIR co-founder who said the Quran should replace the U.S. Constitution as ‘the highest authority in America’?”
Bedier complained that the Summit was funded by “neoconservatives,” and objected to the Secular Islam Summit because it featured many ex-Muslims, including Ibn Warraq, Wafa Sultan, and Nonie Darwish. But CAIR’s opposition to the Summit may offer one hint as to why they felt they had to leave the fold. As Tawfik Hamid, author of The Roots of Jihad, told Bedier on the Glenn Beck show, “The truth should be independent of whoever says it.”
That simple fact seems to have eluded CAIR, as it eludes so many these days. Its denunciations of the Secular Islam Summit have focused on speakers there, not on the message. And unfortunately, no journalist has had the presence of mind or the courage to ask any CAIR official point-blank what he or she actually thinks of the content of the St. Petersburg Declaration.
The Council on American Islamic Relations bills itself as “America’s largest Islamic civil liberties group” and claims that “its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.” The mainstream media and even many government and law enforcement officials accept it as a moderate group. CAIR officials have worked with the FBI and other organizations at the highest levels.
Yet suspicions persist about the group, due not only to the terror convictions of several of its former officials and the questionable statements of some of its spokesmen, but because it always seems to be on the opposing side of anti-terror efforts, as well as of any honest attempt to examine and reform the elements of Islam that jihadists are using to justify violence today.
In light of all that, the St. Petersburg Declaration offers CAIR a golden opportunity to demonstrate the genuineness of its claim to moderation. Since Hamid’s dictum that the truth is independent of the identity of the speaker is manifestly true, CAIR should declare its support for the St. Petersburg Declaration. Shouldn’t a dedicated and sincere group of Islamic moderates jump at the chance to go on record opposing “all penalties for blasphemy and apostasy,” as well as opposing “female circumcision, honor killing, forced veiling, and forced marriage”?
Shouldn’t CAIR gladly and without hesitation endorse a statement calling for protection of “sexual and gender minorities from persecution and violence” and the elimination of “sectarian education that teaches intolerance and bigotry towards non-Muslims”? Isn’t CAIR dedicated to protecting “civil liberties”? And as for the developing of “an open public sphere in which all matters may be discussed without coercion or intimidation,” wouldn’t such a public atmosphere help CAIR “encourage dialogue” and “build coalitions”?
What’s not to like? CAIR need not worry that endorsing the St. Petersburg Declaration will lead anyone to think they are associated with the “neoconservatives” behind the Summit. But such an endorsement would go a long way toward reassuring people that CAIR is indeed what it presents itself to be, and not a group whose goals are, in fact, quite different from those of the St. Petersburg Declaration.
Reporters should be asking Nihad Awad and Ibrahim Hooper this week: do you endorse the St. Petersburg Declaration? And if not, why not? Don’t tell us, gentlemen, what you think of the people involved. Tell us what you think of the principles expressed and statements made. We are listening. Let the dialogue begin.
CAIR like all muslim appologists want you to think that islam is peaceful, and those terrorists are a tiny minority, or you are cherry picking out of thekoran. and here was a new one.. from one of my stupid liberal family, you are making muslims mad, Israel needs to leave? well l then told her well what if North American Indians decided, we want to send you back, you are on our lands? The difference is that Israel has had a past in Israel, and are just reclaiming their own land, even if its only 2 percent of the ME. l just keeping telling these apppologists to read the koran!
Zena has it right. While those of us with only a modicum of understanding of Islam and its principals [the jihadists, CAIR's leaders, etc.] can see why the St. Petersburg Declaration is a step in the right direction, too many others will fall for the "Islamophobe" and other debate tactics to discredit both the Declaration and the speakers.
Those who refuse to read and understand history are bound to repeat it, and they and their grandchildren will suffer.
As Benedict XVI said, the Crusades were unsuccessful. They will be again if we don't get a handle on Islam soon.
CAIR = fifth columnist front organization for the Jihad
Glenn Beck had a 10 minute segment on TV about the conference. TV time is valuable so who does he have on but that slob Ahmed Bedier of Florida CAIR along with ex-terrorist Zak Anani. Bedier took too much air time with his arrogant taqiyya. His theme was Mafia like saying the equivalent of, "Tampa-St Petersburg is our town. We are the go to guys if you want to have a conference on Islamic reform. This secular Islam conference has too many ex Muslims"
Of course a CAIR conference wouldn't reform a damn thing. Just take a look at the home page of the CAIR website to see what their concerns are ----->>>
Action - Ask Atty. Gen. Gonzales to Free Dr. Al-Arian
Action - Ask FIFA to Clarify Hijab Stance
Action - Write to President Bush about Al-Aqsa Mosque
CAIR-OH Speaks Out for Civil Liberties
CAIR: Anti-Islam Talk at NC High School Prompts Action
CAIR-CAN: Muslims Upset at Soccer Hijab Ban
THE WAHABBI GRAVY TRAIN
Not only CAIR, but Yvonne Hadad at Georgetown University's Christian-Islam Center denounced the St. Petersburg declaration.
Folks, CAIR and Hadad and the Somali taxi drivers are Wahabbi-ites.
I sent the alumni at Georgetown an email asserting my claim re: Hadad.
This is Saudi Financed Wahabiism and CAIR and Co. don't want off the gravy train.
CAIR's method of deception is so basic, say one thing and do another. Its so simple that it works wonderfully in a ultra complex western culture that is suffering from political correctness.
Shame on us for not exposing it better.
"Reporters should be asking Nihad Awad and Ibrahim Hooper this week: do you endorse the St. Petersburg Declaration? And if not, why not? Don’t tell us, gentlemen, what you think of the people involved. Tell us what you think of the principles expressed and statements made. We are listening. Let the dialogue begin."
'''on TV...so that we may see their reactions as they speak....Besides, we need to know what these people look like....
"Reporters should be asking Nihad Awad and Ibrahim Hooper this week: do you endorse the St. Petersburg Declaration? And if not, why not? Don’t tell us, gentlemen, what you think of the people involved. Tell us what you think of the principles expressed and statements made. We are listening. Let the dialogue begin."
Instead of asking Nihad Awad and Ibrahim Hooper if they endorse the St. petersburg declaration, Reporters should ask them to address each point in the declaration, individually.
That way they can't dismiss the declaration with broad statements about people not qualified to discuss issues relating to Islamic doctrine and practices.
It seems to me that CAIR officials, as Moderate Muslims, should be anxious to undue the misinformation about Islam put out by the delegates to the St. Petersburg conference,and to set us straight about each of the points in the declaration.
That would go a long way in helping us ignoramuses out here to understanding the real message of Islam, and dispel any bad impressions we might have about the its teachings and practices.
Was it Mick Jagger or CAIR who said, "Stuck around St. Petersburg, 'till I saw it was time for a change..."
It sounds like a start. I hope this means that they also categorically renounce Hamas, Hezbollah, et. al., and their tactics and that homicide bombings are ALWAYS wrong, even against Israelis.
Where does CAIR receive all of it's funding from.
CAIR is nothing more than another terrorist front, working to bring our society down by using our human rights policies against us.
If 9/11 wasnt enough, I shudder at the thought of what it's going to cost us to FINALLY take off the kid gloves and start doing every and anything it takes to keep our nation safe.
I live in St Petersburg, Florida where the Secular Islam Summit was held and the local newspaper, the St. Petersburg Times, has virtually ignored it. I've had to turn to the various blogs to learn what was actually said at the Summit. Fortunately, other media have found the Summit worthy of coverage.
While failing to tell us what did happen at the Summit, the Times was quick to criticize, coming out with this journalistic hatchet job by Times staff writer Meg Laughlin:
begin quotation:
"The Secular Islam Summit, which was covered by CNN commentator Glenn Beck, ended Monday. In promotional literature it claimed to 'feature the courageous voices of those who stand against radical Islam and speak against the violence of Islamist jihad.'
Experts on Islam question the summit's nonpartisan status.
'Legitimate scholars are horrified by the lineup. The speakers are extreme in their views. Basically, it's everyone known for damning Islam,' said Yvonne Hadad, a Georgetown University professor who teaches 'the history of Christians and Muslims.'
end quotation
The Times seemed more interested in the event organizer's possible failure to inform the IRS of changes in its stated exempt purpose.
The Times was taken to task by several readers (including the Summit's organizer, John Loftus) in various letters to the editor for its clear agenda in attempting to discredit the Summit and its participants. Their agenda is no surprise considering the paper's support for Sami Al-Arian over the years.
The Times, to my knowledge, has never printed the proclamations of the Summit, which can be viewed by anyone at www.secularislam.org, along with video clips.
Bill O'reilly has long maintained that the St. Petersburg times is "the worst newspaper in the country," and I've always chalked it up to his show-biz side. Now I see his point. Thank God for blogs and independent journalism, online video, and broadband connections.
And, I've long been puzzled by the local news channels' continued reliance on CAIR's Ahmed Bedier to represent the Muslim viewpoint on anything that might concern Muslims. Surely they could find Muslims with no terrorist sympathies to put on the air. Then again, perhaps not.
I've been reading JW for many months on a daily basis, but this is my first posting of a comment. Most are far more educated about the subject matter than I am. But this one hit really close to home and I couldn't keep my mouth shut.
CAIR = Council on Arab/Islamist Radicalism
Never mind CAIR, how is Dean Esmay's group (including the new guy here) taking to this declaration? What is their take?
Dear Cumulusnine,
I've been reading JW for about 18 months. Your editorial is an excellent piece which shows local intelligence regarding this matter. Thank you very much for continuing the addition of Spencer supporting language by his readers, who are without doubt or question people of courageous and erudite opinion and fact. You are easily one of these commentors who support the non denial approach to Islam.
Congratualtions for this first offer of your thoughts. This is a great conference and an apparent organization to which I would like to make financial donations, a decision affirmed in part by your presentation.
Supporting, you Mr. Spencer, and most commentors to this article.
Jesse Collins
Dear Cumulusnine,
I've been reading JW for about 18 months, following the work of John Loftus, an organizer of the event being reviewed, for 6 years. Your editorial is an excellent piece which shows local intelligence and bravery (going against the media grain)regarding this matter. Thank you very much for continuing the addition of Spencer supporting language by his readers, who are without doubt or question people who provide here courageous and erudite opinion and fact. You are easily one of these stellar and stalwart commentors who support the non denial approach to Islam.
Congratualtions for this first offer of your thoughts.This is a great conference and an apparent organization to which I would like to make financial donations, in part because of your action to fight enemy and their apologists.
Supporting you, Mr. Spencer, and most commentators to this article.
Jesse Collins
small voices with a lions roar...