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First we had Kamal Nawash's Million Muslim Rally Against Terrorism, Hold the Million. Now we have a call from a non-Muslim radio talk-show host in Lodi, California, home of the ice cream jihad, for a Million Muslim March Against Terrorism. And the excuses are flying thick and fast from local Muslim leaders. From the Sacramento Bee, with thanks to all who sent this in:
One of Sacramento's most outspoken radio talk-show hosts, who has antagonized some Muslims with his on-air and online comments about Islam, is collaborating with Lodi Mayor John Beckman on what the two men are billing as the "Million Muslim March" to denounce terrorism.KFBK personality Mark Williams has been hosting on-air discussions about terrorism and the Muslim faith since news broke early this month about an ongoing federal terrorism investigation that has upended the Central Valley town. So far, five Lodi men have been arrested in the case - none on terrorism charges.
Beckman called into Williams' evening show last week, answering what Williams calls a three-year standing invitation for Muslims to publicly rally against terrorism.
"I heard him talking about it on the radio," said Beckman, of Williams' on-air proposal. After contacting a representative from the Lodi mosque, Beckman said he called Williams and committed to organizing the march in his town.
Some Muslims wish Beckman hadn't made the call.
"He's got Islamaphobic tendencies," prominent Lodi Muslim leader Taj Khan said of Williams. "How can (former white supremacist leader) David Duke walk with Jesse Jackson?"...
Yeah, he wants Muslims to denounce terrorism. What a racist! What an Islamophobe!
Beckman had originally envisioned the march in late July with local Muslims walking city streets, possibly between the mosque and City Hall. He wanted it patterned after the Million Man March by African Americans in Washington, D.C., in 1995. On Tuesday, the project was continuing to blossom. The Break Through Project, a local coalition of Muslim, Jewish and Christian congregations and the principal organizers, has asked for more time. No date has been set.Williams, who is unapologetically venomous at times in expressing his views - he suggested after the death of Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat that his headstone should be a urinal - says his heat is directed toward radical Muslim leaders who foster terrorism.
Extremist factions, he contends, are smothering the voice of what he calls "Joe Six-pack Muslims," those who are too intimidated to voice objections to more radical views.
A march or rally would give them an opportunity, Williams said.
"I think American Muslims are just as upset when they see extremists speaking for them," he said.
One of his frequent on-air targets is skeptical about Williams' motives.
Basim ElKarra, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Sacramento Valley, said his organization has an online petition signed by 688,560 people who have denounced terrorism.
"We've been denouncing terrorism forever. He's still not satisfied," said ElKarra.
ElKarra says Williams has labeled him an extremist on-air. "He doesn't even know me."
"He's calling our organization a radical, fascist organization," ElKarra said. "How can you respond to that?"
Maybe by explaining why several CAIR officials have been arrested recently on terrorism-related charges. Maybe by explaining the highly damning statements made over the years by various CAIR leaders. But I am not holding my breath.
Posted by Robert at June 26, 2005 7:13 AM
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"Williams, who is unapologetically venomous at times in expressing his views - he suggested after the death of Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat that his headstone should be a urinal - says his heat is directed toward radical Muslim leaders who foster terrorism."
Freedom of speech! Victoria should hang her head in shame!
Piss on Judge Higgins. Piss on the Muzzies who caused us to live in fear!
I like this guy: I want to be his friend. We need more guys like that. We all need friends like that.
And everything will be alright....
Posted by: Terminator![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 26, 2005 7:34 AM
'Extremist factions, he contends, are smothering the voice of what he calls "Joe Six-pack Muslims," those who are too intimidated to voice objections to more radical views.'~ Williams
The last rally died before it was born. I can only hope people keep trying. The Reformation has to begin somewhere, and my bet is that the more Peacefully it begins, the better. And there is much for chance for a peaceful start in the US, which is something ElKarra can't abide the thought of.
Posted by: Gary at June 26, 2005 7:36 AM
...partly because it would put a torch to ElKarra's claims of islamophobia.
Still not awake here. King Tolerance, what say you? This looks like a good starting point.
Posted by: Gary at June 26, 2005 7:38 AM
"We've been denouncing terrorism forever. He's still not satisfied," said ElKarra from CAIR.
Of the 1,905 terrorist attacks committed in the name of Islam since September 11th 2001, CAIR have only condemned 5, according to ROPMA.
Posted by: Elephant at June 26, 2005 8:01 AM
For those of you who would like a little info on radio talk show host Mark Williams and the format that he applies to his show which runs 7PM to 10 PM. on week days; Check out the stations websites at:
http://www.kfbk.com/markwilliams.html
PS
KPFK -- AM 1530 --Sacramento was the former station of Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh before he became a national radio celebrity.
Posted by: Mackie at June 26, 2005 8:51 AM
Everyone renounces terrorism Jihad is another story.Im sure this march will be a smashing success most of the marchers know each other, they see each other at church.
at June 26, 2005 9:41 AM
Here's the most recent follow up:
http://www.lodinews.com/articles/2005/06/23/terrorism/1_muslim_050623.txt
Headline: Lodi Mayor Cools to Idea of "a million Muslim march"
Posted by: PRCS at June 26, 2005 10:36 AM
"Everyone renounces terrorism Jihad is another story." Bingo -- the renouncement and condemnation of Jihad is the only acceptable statement, AND it must accompanied by ACTION.
Posted by: epg at June 26, 2005 11:00 AM
PRCS
I took the liberty of posting the article you noted from the sentinel given that it already reflects what we all know after the so-called million man march attempted by Kamal Nawash in Washington DC last month.
Lodi mayor cools to idea of a 'million Muslim march'
By Andrew Adams
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Last updated: Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005 - 11:56:33 pm PDT
A division in Lodi's Muslim community appears to have put the brakes on the idea of a local "million Muslim march."
Lodi Mayor John Beckman announced Tuesday he was working on the idea of a peace march with conservative radio host Mark Williams, who has a program on Sacramento radio station KFBK.
After meeting with a few of the leaders of Lodi's Muslim community Wednesday, however, Beckman said a march does not appear to be a feasible idea.
"I can't find one person from the mosque that I can talk to," he said. "There are two distinct groups trying to do distinctly different things. I'm not sure (the march) is a good idea anymore."
Beckman said he had called in to Williams' radio show last week to take the radio personality up on the idea of a public rally by Muslims to denounce terrorism.
Reached by phone Wednesday evening, Mark Williams was undeterred by the news that the Muslim community in Lodi lacks cohesion, saying the important thing is just to get some type of event together.
"If it's me, the mayor and some guy named Muhammad it's a start," he said. "Everything begins with one person."
Williams said he isn't concerned about how big an event in Lodi is, rather just that a statement is made to show an effort is underway to take the Muslim faith "back from the extremists."
Williams has frequently commented in the past few weeks on the ongoing federal investigation that resulted in the arrest of five Lodi men.
Lodi father and son Umer and Hamid Hayat have pleaded not guilty to charges of lying to federal authorities about their suspected ties to terrorists, and three other men face immigration charges.
One of the men being held on immigration charges, Mohammad Adil Khan, served as an imam at the Lodi mosque before being ousted by the mosque's President Mohammad Shoaib. Khan's departure is one of several reasons why the Muslim community has become divided.
Another of the mosque's imams, Shabbir Ahmed, is also being held on immigration charges and Khan's son is the third detainee.
Other reasons for the split in the Muslim community include a lawsuit by some mosque members against supporters of a Islamic Center and reported differences on theological issues.
Just recently, two opposing petitions have begun circulating in the community; one expressing support for Khan and Ahmed, and another calling for their deportation back to Pakistan.
The community has been split for more than a year, and Beckman said it does not appear as if that rift is anywhere near being repaired.
He added he has sent an e-mail to Williams saying that he does not think a march is practical, and does not know when Lodi might host such an event.
Beckman and Williams' idea was for a march that would take place in late July. Marchers would begin at the Lodi mosque and end at City Hall.
Despite the idea of a peace march fizzling, Beckman said he still thinks there's a good chance some type of event will take place in about a month.
That event could be "some type of a rally," but Beckman said even that's problematic because it's hard to decide whom to ask to speak at such an event.
"Right now in the mosque they don't even have one person who can speak on behalf of the Muslim community," he said.
In discussing the idea with Lodi's Police Chief Jerry Adams, Beckman said the issue of security also came up. He said Adams felt that a mosque to City Hall route is so long it would be difficult to provide security for those taking part in the event from any groups that might come to Lodi to demonstrate against such a march.
at June 26, 2005 11:03 AM
"Muslims march against terrorism..."
( US-Zionist terrorism against innocent Muslims, of course! )
Posted by: Terminator at June 26, 2005 11:26 AM
I am in the position to listen to Mark Williams show on a regular basis. The N Cal head of CAIR called him and made a perfect ass of himself on the air. Mark is not soft on Islam...
WWW.MarkTalk-freeswim.url
at June 26, 2005 12:16 PM
You think Mark saw this as an interesting experiment to test the Muslims and their 'misunderstood' mantra? After all, if it failed (which it has before it even got off the paper), it says what is clear to me. Those 'moderate' Muslims are indifferent at best, and biding their time getting wealthy in America, and if the Islamic States of America comes to past, good - they'll just silently support the jihadis (just between themselves of course) or worse, join the apologists reserve hammering the mantra 'Islam is misunderstood.' Oh it's misunderstood alright.
Mark could point out the folly, of course, the mayor, I believe, got an eyeopener experience at the mosque with the Muslims' cool reception. Wonder why, mayor? It's not that hard to grasp, but it is hard for a lot of people to break through that multiculturisma dogma that blinds the eyes to what is in front of them.
Posted by: reset at June 26, 2005 1:35 PM
"Right now in the mosque they don't even have one person who can speak on behalf of the Muslim community," he said.
.
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Isn't this one of the main problems? There never is anyone who speaks for the community. Members can always say this or that person doesn't represent the true..... (fill in the blank)
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The "buck" never stops...anywhere..no one is responsible...ever...Isn't that what anarchy is all about? Whoever is strongest grabs the reins for now..'til they are killed, then the next one takes over..
at June 26, 2005 1:39 PM
I know, I know, it's not the only problem...misunderstood by everyone inside the religion and outside the religion... the buck never stops there either...anyone who disagrees with anyone can always say they misunderstand the faith.. and who's to argue??? With no real leadership driving the wagon it can go where ever it wants and who's to stop it? Without getting run over that is...
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. yeah and don't tell me a caliphate is the answer either... look what happens to all of them
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....And here we are at the inauguration of the new caliphate # 1,123,456,999...On this beautiful day for our beautiful religion..oh wait...he has just been assassinated...someone just slit his throat because he misunderstood our beautiful religion (and so easy to understand it is, too!)...so folks who will step up next?... you sir?...OK And here we are at the inauguration of the new caliphate # 1,123,457,000...
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.And now to the problem of what to do with all these young men with no wife because all the old men have married the girls as soon as they become of age...a war you say!...hmm yes I think we can send a lot of them off to kill themselves and keep the next batch of young girls to ourselves...sounds like a good idea...lets get them to the mosque and rile them up..and who's to stop us???? The ones that don't get killed will have to be sent off to another country to find wives...sounds like a plan and hey, who's to stop us?
at June 26, 2005 1:59 PM
Have them denounce Jihad because through muslims eyes 911,attacks in Israel and Iraq,the Bali and Madrid bombings are not terrorism.Robert you should go on Mark Williams show.JW/DWers e-mail Mark Williams requesting Robert as a guest and directing Mark to the jihadwatch website.
Posted by: RED at June 26, 2005 8:19 PM
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