Muslim claims that eminent Western figures””whether William Shakespeare, Abraham Lincoln, or Leonardo Da Vinci“”were Muslim believers are as frequent as they are unfounded.
Here is yet another attempt: During an interview on Arabic TV, a Shia Muslim cleric, apparently in the context of discussing how Islam (supposedly) came to America before Christopher Columbus, tried to prove his claim by pointing to California. After presenting the U.S. state as “the most important in America,” he referred to “its most important city,” which according to him is San Jose. He then proceeded to offer the etymology of the city’s name. He correctly explained that “San” means “saint”; but then the lunacy began: according to the cleric, “Jose” (pronounced ho-zay) is the Latin word and pronunciation for one of Shia Islam’s most important figures, “Hussein.”
He triumphantly concluded, “You see, San Jose is really Saint Hussein!–”all while the host interviewing him mused in wonder, sighing “Oh Allah!” The cleric then asked, “Now how did Imam Hussein get to California? See, these are the matters that need investigating.”
Of course, as millions of people known, “Jose” is Spanish for Joseph, as in “Saint Joseph.” But such blatant facts are irrelevant for those in need of constant validation.