Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Say Hello To Irshad Manji's Partners in Crime

Someone I know recently sent me this article:

"ONTARIO, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- There is a growing and forceful campaign by CAIR and other Islamist organizations in Canada to silence the free speech of Zachariah Anani and undermine his legitimacy as a Canadian citizen, by calling for his arrest and deportation. Anani is a former terrorist-militant, a refugee from Lebanon and Muslim convert to Christianity. CAIR, an organization which claims to be the voice of moderation, should be embracing Anani's message against violence and the dangers of extremism instead of mounting a witch hunt against him.

It is no wonder that CAIR is attacking Anani, as it has been documented that many of the leaders of CAIR have openly supported the positions of Hamas, Hizballah and al-Queda -- all recognized terrorist organizations.

Recently, Anani spoke on the dangers of radical extremism at a church in Ontario. A backlash ensued, with CAIR and other Islamist groups pressuring political leaders to throw Anani and his family out of the country. Two members of Parliament, and one member of City Council joined the mayor of Windsor in denouncing Anani. None of these political officials, however, attended the lecture or even watched a video of it. The content of Anani's speech was almost exclusively from passages he read directly from the Koran.

Wally Chafchak, a member of the Windsor Police Services Board and the Windsor Islamic Association, is leading the charge to have Anani arrested. According to Arab American News of Michigan, CAIR Canada is also calling for Anani's arrest.
In the Criminal Code there is a section that deals with spreading hatred in the community, Chafchak said. This instance should fall under those laws. Justice can only be served if this person is charged.

But Walid Shoebat, a former terrorist from the West Bank, believes silencing Anani is a dangerous trend with far reaching implications for the future of Canadian and eventually US freedoms.

"Incarcerating or deporting a former terrorist who wants to warn the world about extremism will set a dangerous precedence for Canada," Shoebat says. "Instead of censoring free speech, CAIR should be encouraging Muslims to embrace Canadian culture, as other groups have, and not try to change it in a way that will censor the freedoms Canadians have fought and died for."

Shoebat believes that CAIR and other Islamist organizations should join Anani in encouraging Muslims to speak out against terrorism and the killing, raping, forced conversion, mutilation and other acts of violence perpetrated by Jihadist groups worldwide against non-Muslims.

On Tuesday, January 30th at 7:00 p.m., Walid Shoebat, Zachariah Anani and Kamal Saleem, all former terrorists, will speak at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
See:
http://www.3xterrorists.com/
M.Sliwa Public Relations, 973-272-2861 or msliwa@msliwa.com
SOURCE Walid Shoebat Foundation"

Related to this article:
CAIR-CAN: Pastor Regrets Fiery WordsDespite public outcry, controversial lecture series will continue
Source: Windsor Star

CAIR-CAN: PASTOR REGRETS FIERY WORDS

The pastor of a Windsor Baptist church that held an anti-Islamic lecture last week says he could have chosen his words more carefully when he prepared promotional pamphlets for the series he titled The Deadly Threat of Islam, which prompted hate crime allegations.

Pastor Donald McKay, who heads the 350-member Campbell Baptist Church on Wyandotte Street West, said Tuesday he did not anticipate the lecture, delivered by self-proclaimed former terrorist and Christian convert Zachariah Anani, would generate so much controversy and media scrutiny.
"(The pamphlets) absolutely could have been worded differently," he said. "We're not interested ... in causing unnecessary polarization. I did not think this would have the type of media backlash that it has."
More than 120 people, including members of Windsor's Muslim community, packed the church last Thursday to hear Lebanese-born Anani -- who is not a member of the congregation -- say that Islam is a religion of war being brought to Canadian soil. He also said that Islam teaches "ambushing, seizing and slaying" of non-believers, especially Christians and Jews. Many attendees challenged Anani's views in a heated debate.

Members of the Windsor Islamic Association have filed a formal complaint with the Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which has sent letters to Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant asking for a prompt investigation into Anani's lectures under Canada's hate crimes legislation.


This is yet another one of those things that make us Muslims groan in frustration and weep in despair.
On one hand, these are more people who are actively campaigning against Islam and Muslims (however much they're trying to disguise it by saying that they're just 'fighting against terrorism and fundamentalism'). These are more people who are being invited onto CNN to talk about the big bad Muslims and our quest for world domination (our goal being, of course, to turn the entire planet into a gigantic Islamic State). These are more people spreading lies about Islam, creating more hatred against Islam and Muslims, and deflecting attention from the true crimes of violence and terrorism being perpetuated worldwide against Muslims.

On the other hand, whenever we Muslims try to protest, we're told that we're "Jihadist/ Islamist/ Wahhabi spokesmen" and nobody listens to us - or if they do, it's only so that they can take our words and twist them so that they can re-broadcast it, only in a way that doesn't reflect our original words in the first place.

So... what do we do?

Violently reacting against these people does absolutely no good - as we've seen over and over, if anyone reacts violently by threatening the people in question, or attacks them, then we are just giving them more power because then they say, "You see? We're right! These Muslims know nothing except killing and forcing others to conform to their beliefs!"

I have concluded that the only things we can really do to counteract the evil that is being spread in regards to us to simply continue living our lives as good Muslims and good citizens. Simple acts, such as leaving a small inexpensive yet thoughtful gift at our neighbours' doorstep are the first steps for positive Da'wah - Umm Yusuf at Muslim Motherhood (http://muslimmotherhood.blogspot.com/) illustrated one such example.

Imagine, if every single Muslim left a small gift for their neighbour and let it be known that such things are a part of Islam, then how many non-Muslims would continue to believe the lies being spread amongst us? After all, wouldn't they at least think - "Hey! I have Muslim neighbours, and they're wonderful people who don't go around preaching violence or killing others - in fact, they taught me that being good neighbours is a part of Islam! If that's true, then how can what the media is saying about Muslims be right?"

Insha'Allah, through small but not insignficant actions like these, we can work towards countering the lies being propogated against us. As walking, talking Da'wah machines, we need to set an example for everyone, to show them how true Muslims behave - behaviour that does *not* include burning flags, attacking others, or bombing buildings.

May Allah cripple the evil efforts of the enemies of Islam and the Muslims; and may He grant the believers success in this world and in the Hereafter, ameen!

Your little sister in Islam,
Mouse

18 comments:

iMuslim said...

Salaams,

When it comes to dawah, as with most things, actions do speak louder than words.

I don't understand the actions of CAIR though - why did they want this guy deported?

It seems a very Zionist thing to do, i.e., where they immediately silence anyone who has any contrasting opinions on the Holocaust; making it illegal to deny it and such. Not that i am denying it, but it seems a bit much to make it illegal to voice a contrary opinion.

If the speech is obviously racist/xenophobic, then it should be limited. However, to voice an opposing opinion, no matter how non-factual it is, is a legal right. As long as the maligned party has an equal opportunity, under law, to respond to any allegations, i don't see why anyone has to be deported!

I think us Muslims better start growing some thicker skins, else we may as well deport ourselves to a desert island somewhere!

Wa'salam

Anonymous said...

Little Mouse

I have gone through what you are going through. So listen to me, it may be useful.

First Thing:
STOP being disturbed by others telling lies. Allah knows what is right and what is wrong, and it is His opinion that matters.

Second:
You have already figured it out. To live a Islamic life, and to tell others by action that they are wrong. There will always be some people who won't see when they see (how can there be athiests anyway?), they are called hypocrats. In another colour they are called Racists.

Third:
Be careful. Being a Muslim automatically puts you at a disadvantegeous position. People will avoid your opinion. Don't get disturbed by that, and don't try to tell everyone your opinion.
Nabi(S) used to answer people according to their background and understanding (intellingence). Follow his example.

---
Huh! This is called a gyan session. Eleders are always like that, arn't they?

Anonymous said...

I read what I wrote again. Some clarifications are necessary:

*In another colour they are called Racists.
should be read as- another variety of people who don't see when they see

Anonymous said...

are called racists

Molly said...

"Someone" sent you the article? Hmph!

AnonyMouse said...

Manas – they want to have Anani deported because they say he violated hate speech laws. In the second article, he’s quoted as having said that Islam is an evil religion that teaches killing and committing violence against non-Muslims (amongst other things).

Molly – LOL :D Should I edit it so say, “The wonderfully amazingly fabulous Molly” instead of plain old ‘someone’? :P

Molly said...

No, it's fine, sweetie. :)

Amad said...

Why is CAIR doing this?
(1) Because if this guy was a terrorist, then he needs to pay a penalty like any other criminal. Would you let a rapist go free if he 'repents'? It is called double-standards. While they are arresting people as if they were thought-police... arresting innocent people who they think are remotely tied to terrorism, they let a self-proclaimed terorist roam free.
(2) He is using his 'terrorist' story to promote hate against Islam and Muslims. He is just another pawn in the ranks of the neo-cons to debase Islam.

iMuslim said...

OK, i'm confused...

Does CAIR want Anani deported because he is a former terrorist-militant, or because he is speaking against Islam?

If he was a former T.M. that was not speaking out against Islam, or perhaps, was even promoting Islam, would they be pursuing the same course of action?

iMuslim said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Violently reacting against these people does absolutely no good - as we've seen over and over, if anyone reacts violently by threatening the people in question, or attacks them, then we are just giving them more power because then they say, "You see? We're right! These Muslims know nothing except killing and forcing others to conform to their beliefs!"

The fact that you would even consider violence against your non-muslim critics shows that there is something deeply wrong and evil about your religion.

AnonyMouse said...

iMuslim – I think they’re trying to get Anani deported not because of his past, but because of what he’s saying about Islam. Here in Canada, saying anything particularly mean or nasty about a certain race or religion and its followers is qualified as hate speech, for which there are legal consequences.

Athena’s Son – I was not at all even considering violence! I was simply pointing out that although there are those who react violently to such people and what they say, it’s stupid to do so because no benefit comes of it whatsoever. And besides being counterproductive, reacting violently is just wrong.

Anonymous said...

I think that everybody really just needs to grow a pair of balls and quit moaning and whining whenever they think they have been insulted. And this goes for everyone: muslims, christians, jews, hindus, etc. If people quit getting so upset over the stupidest little things the world would be a much better place.

PS: Your blogs pretty interesting. I'm coptic so I really like reading muslim blogs. I like seeing different perspectives and opinions. Especially those I don't agree with:)

iMuslim said...

"I think that everybody really just needs to grow a pair of balls"

I resent this statement... i quite like being "ball-free", thanks. Plus, there are many individuals who have such appendages, and yet they only seem to complicate matters, rather than resolve them.

However, i do agree with the rest of your comment!

Are there any good Coptic blogs that you can refer us to? I'd be quite interested to read them.

Anonymous said...

imuslim, two coptic blogs I have been reading recently and think are pretty good are:

http://neferteeti.blogspot.com
http://sallybishai.blogspot.com (her archives are at http://sallybishai.wordpress.com)

You can also find links to other coptic sites on their blogs.

Anonymous said...

Please watch this video: Undercover Mosque shown on a UK tv channel recently and suggest how to regain my neighbours' confidence!

iMuslim said...

Assalamu 'alaykum

First off, go to this blog, where you'll find various videos and articles that have been published in response to the Dispatches programme.

Any advice i give, is directed at myself first (i'm also a Brit Asian Muslim!).

How to regain your neighbour's confidence? I think one answer is to simply be the best Muslim you can be. We are already meant to be good to our neighbours; actions always speak louder than words. So continue to be open, friendly, honest and generous, and it'll be very hard for them to take the programme seriously.

If they ask you any questions about the programme, try not to get defensive (i definitely need to take my own advice here!). You need to have a good understanding of the issues covered by the programme, before you can discuss them. If you're not in that position, don't get tempted to talk in detail, as it'll only make matters worse. It's best to just say "Thanks for the question, i'm afraid i don't know the answer, but i'll try to find out". That way you don't end up saying the wrong thing, and then contradicting yourself, or other Muslims, later.

If you are discussing the programme, it is best you use the opportunity to cover the basics of Islam, as many non-Muslims are confused by the peripheral rules of Islam, without knowing anything about its core objective: to worship the One God.

Also, it is good to remind the non-Muslim you are speaking to (and some Muslims need to take heed of this too) that our imams and teachers are fallible, we do not, and cannot, expect perfection from them. However, they do need to be humble enough to take criticism (as long as it is constructive), and admit to these mistakes when they make them. That is the way of the pious predecessors.

I'm not sure my advice is any good, but there are good folk here, mashallah, who can also help you.

Wa'salam

AnonyMouse said...

As-salaamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatu,

Jazaakillaahi khairan iMuslim, for responding to brother/sister Brit-Asian! :) Good advice, masha'Allah...