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.