This is yet another sad story, and it bodes ill for our freedom in America: Graham’s words were inflammatory, but he had perfectly cogent and reasonable arguments to back them up. When WMAL brushes that aside and caves in to intimidation by CAIR — and falls for its false fatwa — it becomes that much more difficult to speak about the roots of Islamic terror, and how we must meet its threat.
Also, see this Daniel Pipes article, CAIR Founded by “Islamic Terrorists”? (thanks to waterdragon52 and all who sent this in), which expands upon information in this Dhimmi Watch post, for more about where CAIR is really coming from.
“630 WMAL Suspends Michael Graham,” from WMAL, with thanks to Tim:
In a statement released last night, 630 WMAL president and general manager Chris Berry announced midday personality Michael Graham would be indefinitely suspended pending an internal investigation into Graham’s July 25th remarks that Islam is a terrorist organization.
“Talk radio is an excellent forum to discuss issues important to our society. Nevertheless, the statements that Michael Graham made on July 25 crossed the line,” Berry said. “He has been suspended pending an internal investigation. We do not condone his position, and we believe his statements were irresponsible.”
Shortly after the second round of bombings in London last week, Graham began telling listeners Muslim leaders were complicit in terrorism, since they had not said or done enough to curb extremism.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations issued a press release late Monday condemning Graham’s remarks and urging the station to repremand him. The station has received hundreds of emails and calls since then, both supporting and criticizing Graham.
Yesterday, CAIR and other American Muslim leaders gathered in Washington to announce a fatwah, or religious edict, against terrorism, citing criticisms that Muslim leaders had not said or done enough to curb extremism.