One very common false assumption evident in this story is that to characterize the attacks perpetrated by Islamic jihadists in the name of Islam and because of Islamic texts and teachings as “Muslim terrorism” is somehow hateful or bigoted, and somehow characterizes all Muslims as terrorists.
In fact, it is simply accurate reporting.
“The first thing that we are calling you to is Islam.” — Osama bin Laden, October 6, 2002
“We ask to be near to God, we fight you and destroy you and terrorize you. The Jihad in god’s cause is a great duty in our religion.” — the 9/11 plotters, December 2008
It is “anti-Muslim” to notice that Islamic jihadists again and again invoke Islam to explain and justify what they do? Of course in the real world, it isn’t. It is simply fact. A fact that no more tars all Muslims as terrorists than it tars all Martians as terrorists.
Note also that this article, like all mainstream media treatments of CAIR, doesn’t mention that the group is an unindicted co-conspirator in a Hamas funding case, or the terror convictions of several of its former officials. Instead, we’re once again led to believe that it is a neutral and benign civil rights organization.
Free Speech Death Watch Update: “Clarksville mayor defends e-mail that blasts Muslim stamp,” by Eric Snyder for the Leaf-Chronicle, September 5 (thanks to James):
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper is being criticized by local and national Muslims for forwarding an anti-Islamic e-mail Friday morning.
The e-mail urges “patriotic Americans” to protest a U.S. Postal Service stamp commemorating two Islamic holidays.
Piper did not make any comments in his e-mail, the body of which has been circulating nationally.
The e-mail asks readers to remember a series of what it calls “Muslim” terrorist attacks. For example, “Remember the MUSLIM bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993!”
After a series of similar comments, the e-mail concludes: “To use this stamp would be a slap in the face to all those AMERICANS who diaed [sic] at the hands of those whom this stamp honors.
“REMEMBER: Pass this along to every Patriotic AMERICAN that you know and let’s get the word out!!!”
According to the USPS, the stamp “commemorates the two most important festivals — or eids — in the Islamic calendar: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. On these days, Muslims wish each other ‘Eid mubarak,’ the phrase featured in Islamic calligraphy on the stamp. ‘Eid mubarak’ translates literally as ‘blessed festival,’ and can be paraphrased as ‘May your religious holiday be blessed.'”
The e-mail falsely claims that the stamp is new, and that its creation was ordered by President Barack Obama. In fact, the stamp was first issued in 2001, and was reissued in 2002, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
That is true. This stamp has been around for years — as has this email protesting against it. I don’t think I’ve received the version that blames Obama for the stamp, but he had nothing to do with it. I received earlier versions of this email hundreds of times, during the Bush years.
Piper defends e-mail
Piper defended his actions, saying the e-mail was neither anti-Muslim nor anti-Islamic.
“I don’t see any reason why it would be inappropriate,” Piper said.
He said he forwarded the e-mail to provide “information” that others could make up their own minds about.
“I was surprised at a stamp being developed, and would have thought others would be, too,” he said. He added that he did not know what the stamp was commemorating.
Piper also said he was struck by the reminder of several terrorist attacks against Americans.
“I read it and thought about the bombings of our buildings, of our national buildings,” Piper said. “In my mind, it presented an image of mass death at the hands of Muslims.”
He added later, “I don’t believe, just for the record, that all Muslims are linked together with radical Muslims that are out to harm Americans … I have several good Muslim friends.”
The e-mail repeatedly refers only to “Muslims,” and does not use any adjectives such as “radical.”
Neither do the “radicals.”
Local, national reaction
News of Piper’s actions traveled quickly, reaching national news organizations and interest groups.
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations announced in a news release that it would send a copy of the Quran to Piper and each city council member. CAIR is the country’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization.
And the country’s foremost Muslim trafficker in intimidation and threats to freedom of speech.
I am glad, however, that CAIR is sending a Qur’an to Piper. I hope he reads it. He needs to know what is in it. He should especially read chapter nine. And if he needs help understanding it, for it is not a book that is especially inviting to outsiders, he can consult my new book The Complete Infidel’s Guide to the Koran. In fact, does anyone have Mayor Piper’s office address? If so, please email it to me at director@jihadwatch.org and I will send him a free copy.
Locally, Ahmed Joudah, president of the Islamic Center of Clarksville, said the e-mail represents “appalling ignorance of what Islam is, and who Muslims are.”
“I laughed when I read it, but at the same time, I felt sorry that we still have people around us that think that way,” Joudah said.
Joudah said he was unsure why Piper would have forwarded the e-mail.
“I don’t want to say harsh things, because he’s a very nice man,” he said. “I know him personally, and he’s a very nice, decent man.”
With 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide, Joudah said it is unfair to blame all Muslims for the actions of a radical fringe. Likewise, Joudah said it would be unfair to resent all of Clarksville for the acts of vandalism by a few against their local mosque.
“I cannot deny and I cannot be unfair to my neighbor,” Joudah said.
Faith perspective
Austin Peay State University philosophy professor Bert Randall, who is a published author and student on Islamic culture, provided the following reaction to Piper’s e-mail, emphasizing that his thoughts were his personal opinion and not the university’s….
“Further, as a student of Islam, I am appalled by perversions of the Quran used by terrorists to justify violence in the name of God. Stereotypes are always based on lack of knowledge and fear,” he said….
Great. Now if only Bert Randall could convince the jihadists that they’re perverting the Qur’an. Around the world, they claim to be representing it faithfully, and the Bert-Randalls of the world have never managed to convince them otherwise. Now, why is that?
Piper called The Leaf-Chronicle before 4 p.m. Friday to clarify his actions and previous remarks.
“It was an innocent sending off, but I’m not taking it back, either,” he said. “I don’t like people killing Americans.”
Neither do I, Mr. Mayor.