Because I had to make my way out here to Idaho today in the Maxwell, I had to pass up (with immense regret) an invitation to be on the Laura Ingraham show along with Imam Fouad ElBayly of Johnstown, PA, who has said that Ayaan Hirsi Ali should be killed.
Now Bryan Preston of Hot Air reports that ElBayly didn’t appear on the show either. He backed out at the last minute.
I’m sorry to hear that. I’d be happy to discuss matters with him anywhere, whenever my schedule permits. And so would our friend D. C. Watson, who sends in this invitation of his own to the illustrious imam:
After reading the comments made by the Islamic Center of Johnstown’s very own Fouad ElBayly regarding Ayaan Hirsi Ali, I took some time, and attempted to reach him by phone. After all, it’s not every day that I get a chance to speak with a “leader” in the Muslim community who publicly states that someone living in the United States should be killed for simply sharing information about the Islamic belief system with the American public.
Yesterday evening, I attempted to reach the Islamic Center of Johnstown, at 814-467-0640. An answering machine picked up, advising that no one was available to come to the phone, and that anyone wanting more information could call 814-443-2694. So I hung up and dialed that number. The phone rang, and a man answered. The voice sounded quite familiar, like the one on the answering machine at the Islamic Center.
The call was certainly brief and disappointing, but was certainly not surprising. It went something like this:
Male answering the phone: “Hello.”
D.C. Watson: “Hello, may I speak with Fouad ElBayly.”
Male: “Who is this?”
Watson: “This is D.C. Watson.”
Male: “What do you want?”
Watson: “I want to speak with Imam Fouad ElBayly, is that you?”
Male: “Why are you calling?”
Watson: “I’m calling to speak with Mr. ElBayly, is this he?”
Male: “No, you have the wrong number.”
Then he hung up on me.
Today I again tried to reach ElBayly at the Islamic Center, but again received an answering machine. Then I called the alternate number again. This time, an answering machine picked up which said, “You”ve reached the ElBaylys.” I guess I had the right number, but I had perhaps misjudged ElBayly’s courage.
It appears that this “holy man” who has stirred up trouble with his radical comments has decided to pass up his opportunity to have “mutual understanding” and “dialogue” with yours truly.
Tough talk is cheap. Mr. ElBayly, you have become another in a growing list of Islamic Imams in the United States who have made militant and fanatical public statements — and really, you should be upstanding enough to answer for that.
If you refuse, you reinforce the perception that Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s statements must be accurate. In fact, you tried to shut her lecture down, not because she is defaming anything, but because you don’t want the public to hear the truth.
Here’s another opportunity for you.
Since you refused to acknowledge to me that it was you I was speaking to on the phone last night, telling me I had the wrong number and then hanging up the phone, perhaps you and I can go a couple of rounds in a debate, either live and in color, or online.
Please contact the director of this site if you are ready and willing to stand and defend your words. Otherwise, you, like so many of your fellow Imams, have proven the validity of some of the points being made about Islam here and around the world.