The political and media elites are so avid to find “moderates,” and they know so little about Islamic doctrine, that this kind of thing happens rather frequently.
“Obama Praises Muslim Cleric Who Backed Fatwa on Killing of U.S. Soldiers,” by Adam Kredo, Washington Free Beacon, September 24, 2014:
President Barack Obama favorably quoted and praised on Wednesday in his speech before the United Nations a controversial Muslim cleric whose organization has reportedly endorsed the terror group Hamas and supported a fatwa condoning the murder of U.S. soldiers in Iraq.
Obama in his remarks offered praise to controversial cleric Sheikh Abdallah Bin Bayyah and referred to him as a moderate Muslim leader who can help combat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’s (ISIL or ISIS) radical ideology.
However, Bin Bayyah himself has long been engulfed in controversy for many of his views, including the reported backing of a 2004 fatwa that advocated violent resistance against Americans fighting in Iraq.
This is not the first time that the Obama administration has extoled Bin Bayyah, who also has served as the vice president of a Muslim scholars group founded by a radical Muslim Brotherhood leader who has called “for the death of Jews and Americans,” according to Fox News and other reports.
The State Department’s Counterterrorism Bureau (CT) was forced to issue multiple apologies earlier this year after the Washington Free Beacon reported on its promotion of Bin Bayyah on Twitter.
“This should not have been tweeted and has since been deleted,” the CT Bureau tweeted at the time after many expressed anger over the original endorsement of Bin Bayyah.
However, it appears that Obama and the White House are still supportive of Bin Bayyah, who, despite his past statements, is still hailed by some as a moderate alternative to ISIL and al Qaeda.
“The ideology of ISIL or al Qaeda or Boko Haram will wilt and die if it is consistently exposed, confronted, and refuted in the light of day,” Obama said before the U.N., according to a White House transcript of his remarks.
“Look at the new Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies—Sheikh bin Bayyah described its purpose: ‘We must declare war on war, so the outcome will be peace upon peace,’” Obama said, quoting the controversial cleric.
Concern over the administration’s relationship with Bin Bayyah started as early as 2013, when outrage ensued after he was reported to have met with Obama’s National Security Council staff at the White House.
While Bin Bayyah has condemned the actions of groups such as Boko Haram and ISIL, he also has taken controversial positions against Israel.
He issued in 2009 a fatwa “barring ‘all forms of normalization’ with Israel,” according to a Fox report on the White House meeting.
Additionally, the notorious 2004 fatwa permitting armed resistance against U.S. military personnel in Iraq reportedly stated that “resisting occupation troops” is a “duty” for all Muslims, according to reports about the edict….
timothius says
So when is he going to apologize? Anyone want to place s bet?
Anon says
“Obama Praises Muslim Cleric Who Backed Fatwa on Killing of U.S. Soldiers,” it is really good to point this out. Please keep pointing out EVERY example where he does this along with anyone in his ad-numb-istration. Has just-air-bomb-ya finally crossed a line of some sort and can be ousted before 2015?
Beagle says
President Biden? Even if you win, you lose. Let’s say he’s impeached, President Boehner. Harry Reid?! Oh man, I just scared myself.
Only a tidal wave over DC could fix this mess. Root for giant asteroids.
AnneM says
Islam is Islam, period.
kepha says
The O’s policies on the Middle East have been the blind leading the blind leading a starry-eyed EmCeePeeCee into a ditch.
Richard Sherman says
Obama agrees with everyone of his fatwas.
GP says
Obama praises as “moderate” a Muslim cleric who backed fatwa on killing of U.S. soldiers
An administration so out of touch it is frightening. With a support staff that is truly a JV Team.
timothius says
JV that means juvenile correct! This president’s insanity has to stop.
SallyA says
How can this not be more treason from a Cdr. in Chief?
Sen. Inhofe from Oklahoma is at least stalling and/or stopping Obama’s efforts to move $1B out of the Pentagon’s budget against Afghani Islamic jihad (Taliban and its atrocities against all females, Muslim or not, and against non-Muslim males) and into Obama’s evil scheme to send the U.S. military into the deadly contagious Ebola-infection zone in Africa where the U.S. is not at war.
If you’re from Oklahoma, now would be a good time to write and say thanks and keep up the good work to Sen. Inhofe. Would he run for Pres.? He’s the only one in Congress lately who seems to do anything for our national defense except blow hot air and strut.
SallyA says
@ Topbuilder – Yes, agreed. Also the smirk oozing through his face in every photo op. I scroll through as fast as possible not to assault my own mind with the pictorial evidence of his glee of hypocrisy.
Salah says
“This is not the first time that the Obama administration has extoled Bin Bayyah, who also has served as the vice president of a Muslim scholars group founded by a radical Muslim Brotherhood leader..”
Of course it’s not the first time, it won’t be the last either.
Obama is not the master of the W.H., he and his whole gang are merely puppets.
The real masters of the W.H. are the Muslim Brotherhood thugs, they are running the show, they are ruling the USA, they are dictating their whims and desires…including the creation, arming and funding of ISIL.
Bonnie Loranger says
Salah, again I have to agree with you. All his moves when Islam is involved are to somehow protect Islam. Obama wants the caliphate for the middle east. Period.
It is hard for Americans to believe but it was hard for Europeans to believe Hitler had so much power. Obama is a Muslim plant in the WH and the Muslim brotherhood in pulsing the strings. Valerie Jarrett is a very powerful woman. Obama is the puppet.
Prinz Eugen says
This mad imam wants to declare war on war? Let me risk a guess — his enemies list would be Israel, USA, UK, Christians, all in-fiddles and let’s not forget the evil Koch brothers!
Time for impeachment of our moslem terrorist allied WH baboon!
DaniEl says
Please join the twitter/effort to expose the lies that Islam is a religion of peace @ #NotinMyName
I say, Yes in Muhammad’s name who did the same.
Condemn ISIS, insult their prophet who did the same, lose your head!
Joyce Donaldson says
“What luck for rulers that men do not think.” hitler
“Those that vote decide nothing, those that count the vote decide everything.” staling
Look how easily the blind sheep go to slaughter.
Wake up America, do you NOT understand what the one in the White House is doing?????????????????????????????????????????????
fair_dinkum says
his advisers arent really with it are they?
just a little research. but of course not too much. we dont want to offend anyones sensibilities. and the moslams are delicate people. their feelings get hurt easily.