UPDATE: In an extremely odd turn of events, the State Department now denies that Georgetown funded this trip.
——–
It isn’t clear whether or not the Saudi-funded Islamic apologist John Esposito was directly involved in this, but it is consistent with positions he has taken. He has called Muslim Brotherhood Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who advocates jihad suicide bombings and has prayed that Allah would destroy kill all the Jews, a champion of a “reformist interpretation of Islam and its relationship to democracy, pluralism and human rights.”
Esposito has called the Hamas-linked terror organization the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) a “phenomenal organization.” Esposito has spoken at Hamas-linked CAIR fundraisers in order, he explained, to “show solidarity not only with the Holy Land Fund [that is, the Holy Land Foundation], but also with CAIR.” The Holy Land Foundation was shut down and prosecuted for funneling money to the jihad terror group Hamas, which once boasted on its website about its murders of civilians in pizza parlors and on buses; the Justice Department named CAIR an unindicted co-conspirator in the case.
Esposito also refuses to condemn Hamas, as the Investigative Project notes: “In a 2000 interview in The United Association for Studies and Research’s (UASR) Middle East Affairs Journal, Esposito refused to condemn Hamas, which at the time was already designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the U.S. State Department.” He has co-edited a book, Islam and Secularism in the Middle East, with Azzam Tamimi. Palestinian political scientist Muhammad Muslih calls Tamimi “a Hamas member.” Tamimi has said: “I admire the Taliban; they are courageous,” and “I support Hamas.” When University of South Florida computer science professor Sami al-Arian was accused of involvement with the leadership of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which has claimed responsibility for the murders of several civilians, he became a cause célèbre, with his defenders ascribing his prosecution to “Islamophobia.” Esposito rushed to his defense, avowing: “Sami Al-Arian’s a very good friend of mine.” In 2008, Esposito advocated for al-Arian’s release, saying:
Sami Al-Arian is a proud, dedicated and committed American as well as a proud and committed Palestinian. He is an extraordinarily bright, articulate scholar and intellectual-activist, a man of conscience with a strong commitment to peace and social justice.
Al-Arian later pled guilty to “conspiring to provide services to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a specially designated terrorist organization, in violation of U.S. law.” He is under house arrest. Al-Arian also, according to Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA), has “longstanding connections to associates of al Qaeda.” Wolf quotes a federal affidavit noting that “‘Sheik Rahman (the ‘Blind Sheik’) visited Al-Arian at his residence in Tampa and spoke at his mosque.’ Rahman is currently serving a life sentence in U.S. prison for his role in the 1993 World Trade Center attack and additional terror plots.”
Also associated with the Blind Sheik is the man Esposito calls “my old friend Siraj”: the popular Muslim speaker Siraj Wahhaj. Wahhaj was designated a “potential unindicted co-conspirator” in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing for taking the Blind Sheik to speak at mosques in New York and New Jersey in the early 1990s. Wahhaj has warned that the United States will fall unless it “accepts the Islamic agenda.” He has also asserted that “if only Muslims were clever politically, they could take over the United States and replace its constitutional government with a caliphate.”
Yet not only does the unsavory Esposito remain on Georgetown’s faculty; now Georgetown is paying for Muslim Brotherhood operatives to visit with State Department officials. Is this a sign of Esposito’s pernicious influence?
“State Dept: Muslim Brotherhood US Trip ‘Organized and Funded’ by Georgetown University,” by Jordan Schachtel, Breitbart, January 30, 2015:
An official U.S. State Department transcript revealed that Georgetown University had “organized and funded” a recent trip for members of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood to the United States.
While in the United States, the Brotherhood operatives met with top State Department officials in the Obama administration.
A reporter asked State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki, “Members of Muslim Brothers were in town, and few days ago they met – had meetings in this building. Do you have any like – any details about the meeting, the nature of the meeting, the purpose of the meeting, and whom they met?”
Psaki responded:
Well, State Department officials meet – recently met with a group of visiting Egyptian former parliamentarians whose visit to the United States was organized and funded by Georgetown University. Such meetings are fairly routine at the State Department, where we regularly meet with political party leaders from across the world. The Georgetown group included former members of the Freedom and Justice Party (Muslim Brotherhood), among others. So this was a meeting – we meet on a regular basis with a range of groups, and obviously, as I mentioned, this was a group sponsored by Georgetown.
Psaki added that the meeting between the Muslim Brotherhood officials and Obama administration officials “was attended by a deputy assistant secretary for democracy, human rights, and labor, and other State Department officials.”
This week, the State Department hosted several “former” members of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. One of the members of the Brotherhood delegation, Waleed Sharaby, proudly displayed on Facebook a picture he took at the State Department, where he flashed the Brotherhood’s four-finger symbol.
Another Brotherhood leader within the delegation, Gamal Heshmat, claimed that he met with a “representative of the White House.” Heshmat has openly supported the Palestinian Hamas terror group that rules the Gaza Strip. Additionally, Heshmat has previously described Jews as “the descendants of pigs and monkeys.”
Georgetown University, which hosted the Brotherhood delegation, receives a vast amount of funding from foreign entities, some of which could potentially be sympathetic to the jihadist group.
Qatar, which remains a strong ideological ally of the Muslim Brotherhood, operates a Georgetown satellite school in Doha that some have alleged is funded entirely “by oil money and corrupt sheikhs,” according to The Hoya student newspaper. Dr. John Esposito, who serves as director of the Saudi-funded Prince Alaweed Bin Tala Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University, “has at least a dozen past or present affiliations with global Muslim Brotherhood/Hamas organization,” according to Global MB Watch.…
Don McKellar says
John Esposito is a whore for Islam. There is simply no other way to describe more accurately what he is or does.
somehistory says
Feeding the beast that will consume him. In a way, it seems it already has.
RCCA says
Somehow I can’t help thinking of Esposito’s hero, former President Morsi of the MB fingering himself when receiving the Australian Prime Minister. http://twitchy.com/2012/09/26/ballsy-move-egyptian-president-manhandles-himself-on-live-tv/
Ayatrollah says
These islamic organization, MB, hamas, Islamic jihad, Hezbollah, etc, are mentioned so often in the media, they have become more political parties than terrorist organizations. Because their grievances are framed in postmodern racism, they have become legitament people to work with in today’s political atmosphere.
There is only a handful of islamiphobs who understand they are bringing islamic law to the west. Pick out your new prayer rug.
Myxlplik says
I wonder what it must be like to live your life in a way that is so far removed from reality, if these academic types were Mobey Dick, the Robert Spencer would be the most rational Captain Ahab.
Arthur says
It’s the mentally impaired that seem to be most often selected for suicide bombings. It seems that John Esposito has simply become a intellectual suicide jihadi, in the sense that he loses all professional credibility as he explodes with misinformation.
Watching a video of Esposito (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xNrygyeN2k), reveals his point of view (see responses to questions at 1:01:00; 1:03:00). He doesn’t seem to know–or understand–Islamic written doctrine. He doesn’t recognize that Islam is an entire political culture, not just an inward looking feel-good religion. He attributes everything to contemporary history. He’s also a bit of a narcissist as he spends a lot of time talking about himself. An easy stooge for taqiyya. My conclusion is that he is a barely informed mental lightweight.
mortimer says
“My conclusion is that he is a barely informed mental lightweight.”
No, Art, it’s an act. He’s well informed, but he’s well paid by his Saudi owners from whom he gets the party line that he preaches.
He’s a sell-out with no scruples whatsoever.
Huck Folder says
Just ONE example of this prolific propagandist’s taqiyya triteness:
http://www.amazon.com/Oxford-Dictionary-Islam-Paperback-Reference/dp/0195125592
“Designed for general readers with LITTLE [!] or no knowledge of Islam, this SUPERB [!] Oxford Dictionary provides more than 2,000 vividly written, up-to-date, and AUTHORITATIVE entries [not all agree] organized in an easy-to-use, A-to-Z format.”
“1.0 out of 5 stars dictionary or ideology?, June 5, 2014
By Michael – See all my reviews
It is very one sided work that idealizes Islam and present all historical issues according Muslim narratives. One could expect much more from a serious academic scholar than such narrow-minded paradigm.”
“4.0 out of 5 stars Short and Concise Islamic Dictionary, November 9, 2011
By CAM Book Reviews “Cam” (USA) – See all my reviews
Islam is getting close to growing almost as fast as Christianity. Terms and doctrines of Islam are important to know an understand. And in this book one receives valuable and cogent information on countless muslim concepts and terms.
A MUST for an APOLOGIST or a PASTOR.
Aquinas noted: “On the other hand, those who founded sects committed to erroneous doctrines proceeded in a way that is opposite to this. The point is clear in the case of Mohammed. He seduced the people by promises of carnal pleasure to which the concupiscence of the flesh goads us. His teachings also contain precepts that were in conformity with his promises, and he gave free rein to carnal pleasure… Mohammed said that he was sent in the power of his arms–which are signs not lacking even to robbers and tyrants. What is more, no wise man, men trained in things divine and human, believed in him from the beginning. Those who believed in him were brutal men and desert wanderers, utterly ignorant of all divine teaching, through whose numbers Mohammed forced others to become his followers by the violence of his arms. . . . he perverts almost all the testimonies of the Old and New Testaments by making them into fabrications of his own, as can be seen by anyone who examines his law. It was, therefore, a shrewd decision on his part to forbid his followers to read the Old and New Testaments, lest these books convict him of falsity. It is thus clear that those who place any faith in his words believe foolishly” (Thomas Aquinas, Summa Contra Gentiles).”
Don’t know why he gave it 4/5 stars.
When I looked at a copy years ago, I could find NOTHING on Aisha.
shabeer_hassan says
#“reformist interpretation of Islam and its relationship to democracy, pluralism and human rights.”
Non Muslim (dhimmi) was protected: Jew agreed:
Muslim :: Book 30 : Hadith 5853
The Jew went to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said: Abu’l-Qasim, I am a Dhimmi and (thus need your protection) by a covenant, and added: Such and such person has given a blow upon my face. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Why did you give a blow on his face? He said: Allah’s Messenger, this man said: By Him Who chose Moses (peace be upon him) amongst mankind, whereas you are living amongst us. Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) became angry and signs of anger could be seen on his face, and then said: Don’t make distinction amongst the Prophets of Allah.
Bukhari :: Book 5 :: Volume 57 :: Hadith 50
I also recommend him concerning Allah’s and His Apostle’s protectees (i.e. Dhimmis) to fulfill their contracts and to fight for them and not to overburden them with what is beyond their ability.”
Jew women poisoned prophet with sheep: prophet forgive her sin
Bukhari :: Book 3 :: Volume 47 :: Hadith 786
Bukhari :: Book 4 :: Volume 53 :: Hadith 394
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
A Jewess brought a poisoned (cooked) sheep for the Prophet who ate from it. She was brought to the Prophet and he was asked, “Shall we kill her?” He said, “No.” I continued to see the effect of the poison on the palate of the mouth of Allah’s Apostle .
Muslim :: Book 26 : Hadith 5430
Anas reported that a Jewess came to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) with poisoned mutton and he took of that what had been brought to him (Allah’s Messenger). (When the effect of this poison were felt by him) he called for her and asked her about that, whereupon she said: I had determined to kill you. Thereupon he said: Allah will never give you the power to do it. He (the narrator) said that they (the Companion’s of the Holy Prophet) said: Should we not kill her? Thereupon he said: No. He (Anas) said: I felt (the affects of this poison) on the uvula of Aitah’s Messenger.
Jew broken the agreement /prophet forgive the Jew
33:26 And He brought down those who supported them among the People of the Scripture[Jew] from their fortresses and cast terror into their hearts [so that] a party [i.e., their men] you killed, and you took captive a party [i.e., the women and children].
2:100. Is it not (the case) that every time they make a covenant, some party among them throw it aside? Nay! the truth is most of them believed not.
Bukhari :: Book 3 :: Volume 50 :: Hadith 890
5: 13. So because of their breach of their covenant[bond/agreement], We cursed them, and made their hearts grow hard. They change the words from their (right) places and have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them. And you will not cease to discover deceit in them, except a few of them. But forgive them, and overlook (their misdeeds). Verily, Allah loves Al¬Muhsinûn Muslim paid the Jew for their property:
Prophet gives the share cultivation to jew:
Bukhari :: Book 3 :: Volume 36 :: Hadith 485/ Bukhari 3.39.527/ 3.39.531
Narrated Abdullah bin Umar:
“Allah’s Apostle gave the land of Khaibar to the Jews to work on and cultivate and take half of its yield. Ibn ‘Umar added, “The land used to be rented for a certain portion (of its yield).” Nafi mentioned the amount of the portion but I forgot it.
Good relation with Jewish neighbors:
Dawud :: Book 41 : Hadith 5133
pongidae rex says
Brownie points for you in Allah’s paradise M Boy. This is most preferable to bombing innocent people. Please more of same. In the arena of ideas, Islam is a duck in a barrel.
Geppetto says
Obama and company refuse to meet with Bibi in March.
There is a great deal of speculation, questions raised about why Obama is “seemingly” more sympathetic and allied with those he refuses to name; Muslim (Islamic) terrorists. Here’s one theory that has not been widely disseminated but supported by the facts in evidence; namely the number of Muslim Brotherhood operatives that have been, and continue to be, actively and openly involved within the halls of power in Washington, in the State Department and among Obama’s closest advisors and operatives who are only allowed to speak meaningless, irrelevant drivel to members of the press. What are these MB operatives doing there? What is their purpose? Exactly what is the message they actively convey and what influence does it have on the official, public “message,” the one a majority of Americans rely on to form their opinions.
The Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohammed Morsi who received strong support from Obama, who remains unhappy with the so called “coup de tat” that ousted Morsi and subsequently outlawed the Brotherhood in Egypt, is damning evidence of Obama’s perfidy and obsequiousness with regard to all things Muslim. Morsi was and remains imprisoned in Egypt where he is on trial for various offenses, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-24772806
General Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil el-Sisi, successfully ousted Morsi after millions of Egyptians arose in protest against the latter’s leadership. General Sisi, who was subsequently elected President of Egypt, has recently been forcefully and heroically outspoken about the need for Islam to be brought into the 21st century. http://www.raymondibrahim.com/in-the-media/egypts-al-sisi-makes-extraordinary-speech-on-islam/
Abdel Fattah Sisi, President of a powerful Egyptian, predominantly Muslim nation, an outspoken proponent of reforming Islam, remains persona non grata in the Obama administration. Is no one curious as to why?
The Muslim Brotherhood is outspokenly anti-Israel. Obama, Kerry, etc., despite their apparent decision to not declare their anti-Semitism openly, by their actions and carefully phrased, derogatory remarks concerning Israel, and especially Bibi Netanyahu, are strongly suspected of being equally anti-semetic. CAIR, one of many Muslim Brotherhood organizations operating freely in the U.S., despite their continued designation as unindicted co-conspirators in the Holy Land Foundation terrorist funding case, orchestrated the deletion of all references to Mohammed, Muslims and Islam, from being even remotely connected to terrorism, in all U.S. government training manuals, those used by the FBI, DHS, etc. Obama reacted by immediately having the offending manuals destroyed and rewritten according to the Brotherhoods directives. Should it then be a surprise at the linguistic, tongue tied, gymnastics that has now become obvious is the norm from all high level government officials, their spokespersons and including the top brass in the American military? Is it not yet obvious what is at the root of this otherwise unfathomable madness?
And then there is the “negotiations” with Iran over it’s development of a nuclear capability. In the hands of the U.S. in the Obama era, and given all of the above, are we all to be comforted by this?
Despite the disturbing nature of this apparent alliance with those who have outspokenly declared their intentions to destroy Israel and America, there are faint signs of hope. America and others in the West are slowly waking up to the nature of the global, Islamic terrorist threat and its long denied connection to Islam, “the religion of peace,” and are outspokenly connecting the obvious dots. This is long overdue and necessary before an effective strategy to combat this global threat can be developed. Hopefully this awareness will expand exponentially and drown out the perpetual, perverse, false accusations of Islamophobia and the Brotherhood’s fervent pleas concerning the “dire threat” of the certain to ensue persecution of innocent Muslims, of which there is absolutely no corroborating evidence. But it must be recognized that America is pretty much and increasingly, “dead in the water” as long as Obama, Islamic terrorism and the terrorist’s sectarian motivations remain the untouchables in the legacy media and beyond.
pongidae rex says
High Treason against Western Civilization in general, and the USA in particular, is now fashionable and cool and career enhancing; especially if you are an academic in the social ‘sciences’.