The Nazis--oppressors of many nations and of the Jews - stand condemned. Christian-Irish extremists engaged in fratricide stand condemned. Christian-Serbian extremists, oppressors of innocent Muslims in Bosnia and Kosova, stand condemned. Extremist Jews attacking innocents, and assassinating then head-of-state Itzhak Rabin stand condemned. Similarly, Muslim extremists, like bin Laden and his affiliates--such as Omar Bakri and Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri and their circles--must be condemned. Therefore, we stand up as Muslims in America, declaring that we are not supporting any of these extremists, nor do we have anything to do with them.

American Muslim Leaders Waver between Split Interests

Unfortunately, many American Muslim organizations lack the courage to stand up and speak forthrightly about this matter. Too often we see leaders of the community, equivocating between implicit support for extremists and general condemnations of terrorism. Broadbrush, vague condemnations are nothing but a show to prove one's moderation when Muslims sit around the interfaith table with Jews and Christians. This has the community spinning around in confused circles, for the people can't help reflecting the actions and words of their leaders.

Equivocation on clear moral issues can only lead to perplexity among the common worshippers and loss of confidence in the upright principles of Islam. The cause of these conflicting messages is that on the one hand leaders fear they might divide the community (which in reality is already divided into many factions), and on the other hand they fear for their own positions, due to their connections with extremists around the world through their U.S. offices.

Many extremist organizations operate under assumed identities as non-profit organizations or corporate businesses, hiding their origins and affiliations. These same disguised organizations hold massive fundraisers in New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Los Angeles and elsewhere, and often feature celebrities, ambassadors and politicians. Ironically, the organizations they secretly support are avowed enemies of the nations whose ambassadors they invite. However, whenever someone criticizes the extremists and militant movements, they issue press releases castigating the media as well as moderate Muslim organizations who have the courage to speak out.

Usama bin Laden is a case in point. As a Saudi inheriting $250 million from his large family and building a huge financial network and infrastructure, he is actively rebelling against his own government and seeking to destroy it. One cannot fail to notice how some organizations invite the ambassador of bin Laden's homeland and approach its embassy for support, yet reject any criticism of bin Laden or his activities, defending them as somehow " Islamic". Similarly, their leaders met with Yasser Arafat and his emissaries when they came to the U.S. to sign the peace treaty with the Israelis, yet when one word is said about Hamas they become enraged. We say, they must show their true colors and affiliations and stop playing both sides of the fence.

Some Muslims might ask: Why bring up this subject now as it might cause more problems and difficulties for Muslims?

The American Constitution has been taken from Islam, including the Bill of Rights and its guarantees of freedom of speech, press, and religion. In the 200 years Muslims have resided in America, we have not seen their arbitrary detainment until the advent of extremist organizations, striking here and there. These organizations have now established offices here and in Europe. Our intention is to prevent the majority of Muslims from suffering by being detained or being viewed with suspicion because of the misguided actions of others.

Roots of Extremism

Bin Laden has issued a fatwa to all his followers stating, " The U.S. is the enemy of Islam and we must fight it. Our order throughout the world is to kill any member of its army and its leaders, and this is a religious duty." This fatwa was issued by bin Laden in retaliation for the U.S. government's detention of Shaykh Omar Abdur Rahman.

We found a similar fatwa has been issued by one of the highest religious officials of Saudi Arabia, Imam Abdur Rahman al-Hudhayfi, grand imam of Masjid an-Nabawi of Madina al-Munawwara of Saudi Arabia, during Jumah prayer March 13, 1998. In his 29-page fatwa the Imam stated:

" The followers of Judaism and Christianity know for certain that Islam is the true religion, but jealousy towards the Muslims, arrogance, love of wealth and selfish desires are a barrier between them and Islam....We have to be aware that movements that have been initiated to bring together interfaith sessions of different religions are seriously detrimental to Muslims. It is clear that truth and falsehood cannot be compromised. We further disapprove of invitations to such compromises which are being extended by those 'intellectuals' who are not even acquainted with the basic and essential doctrines of Islam..."

Al-Hudhayfi--Imam of the 2nd most holy mosque for Muslims--continued,

"How can there be any compromise between Islam and Judaism when Islam is unique in its purity, its light, its brilliance, its justice, its magnanimity and high morality for mankind, while on the other hand Judaism is a collection of materialism, treachery, low and degraded morals, lawlessness, greediness and covetousness....

Similarly there is no relationship between Christianity and Islam. Islam is a pure unitarian religion believing in the unity of God, filled with justice and blessings, whereas Christianity is a collection of misguidedness..."

"Let it be known that we, under any circumstances, cannot accept and tolerate the presence of the American military force in Saudi Arabia."

The similarity of the thinking behind these two fatwas cannot be missed. Instead of a comprehensive approach to solving the problems of the Muslim ummah, these two extremists find it easier and politically expedient to blame America, Russia, or any extraneous power for the current sorry state of the Muslims. In the two edicts one can see the expression of views prompted primarily by the political agendas of the individuals issuing them. Whenever a situation arises where a certain goal is sought, declarations are made to arouse the emotions of the masses. However what is said in no way reflects the traditional Islam and the majority of Muslims. Rather, these ideologues are expressing their own extremist dogma, inherited through their ancestors from the teachings of Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab, 18th century founder of the " Salafi" /Wahabi sect. This sect has developed and been promoted very intensely in the last thirty years by a number of regimes, with the disastrous result that the extremism which vaulted them into power has now come full circle and threatens to sweep them away.

Struggle for Political and Financial Benefit: a False " Jihad"

Thus we see bin Laden, a Saudi, with his network of militants, working to destroy the government of Saudi Arabia, no doubt strengthened by the fatwa of the Saudi imam, Abdur Rahman al-Hudhayfi. This contradicts the explicit teaching of Prophet Muhammad (saws) not to oppose a ruler as long as he does not prevent the performance of prayer--even if he commits injustice. Thus extremists use Islam when it suits them and likewise contravene it at their convenience.

The same applies to other organizations in other nations. Small militant movements arise, then come against their government and the common people, stirring conflict. This happened previously in Egypt, Syria and Lebanon, and is currently happening in Jordan, Algeria and nations of the former Soviet Union. When different movements discover they share something in common--in terms of ideology, methodology or a common enemy--they begin to work together. However, once one of them begins to surpass another, conflict ensues and they fight among themselves.

This took place within the Palestinian movement in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. Initiated as a movement to liberate the land, when it began to grow and acquire power, divergent interests within the broader movement began to clash. When the conflicts ultimately ignited, seventy different Palestinian organizations could be found fighting each other in their own camps using heavy artillery and surface-to-surface rockets.

The same problem arose in Afghanistan. To fight the common enemy, the USSR, many different groups and tribes joined together. After their successful Jihad and the USSR fled, the once-aligned groups turned on each other, resulting in bloodshed and mayhem from which not one inch of Afghan soil was left untainted. In fact after the war, Muslim-generated bloodshed rivaled horrors inflicted by the Soviets. So we see despite appearances, what is taking place in many of these countries is not an Islamic Jihad but is purely a struggle for political authority and monetary benefit.

U.S. Groups Finance Foreign Terror

Government and other agencies have documented that some U.S.-based Islamic organizations are quietly funneling money collected here to support terrorist groups around the world. In fact, this is so well known that the Muslim community cannot escape its fallout unscathed. We say, leaders of the Muslim community who " launder" money for extremist organizations abroad must bear the burden of their wrongdoing.

Some of these organizations claim, " We are helping schools, refugees and those ravaged by war," to which we reply: " OK, but also condemn the extremists, so that all Muslims here are safe. As Muslims, we don't want to be held accountable for your actions while you grow rich off of our community."

Consider that every innocent child, woman or elder who is maimed, orphaned or killed will testify on the Day of Judgment against those who financially supported such organizations--whose money was used to buy arms and munitions, rocket launchers and bombs to inflict harm upon the innocent. It is no longer an option to keep quiet about this situation.

It is not too much to call all organizations to honestly account for every penny they collect. Legitimate organizations keep books as they must report their income to the IRS. They can easily and swiftly be called to account. Muslims have a right to know where their " sadaqa," " zakat," " charity" and " relief donations" are going. Legitimate organizations will thus be absolved.

What such inquiries will do, however, is make the dubious organizations close their doors. It suffices to point out that the leaders of such organizations are the same ones who have given fatwas permitting the cultivation, harvesting and processing of opium, sale of opiates and other kinds of drugs; even killing other Muslims to steal their opium, all in the name of supporting a hallucinatory " Jihad" against the West.

Through the " Salafi" /Wahabi sect, the extremist elements have indoctrinated countless Muslim youth: condemning all who differ to unbelief and apostasy from Islam. Thus they justify the wholesale killing of Muslims, and attacking Muslim governments--even their own nations--for they consider whoever does not support them as the worst of enemies, among those who left the fold of Islam.

We appeal to U.S.-based Muslim organizations to openly disclose their ties to foreign groups and movements.

Muslims Must Not Tolerate Extremists

Those organizations in the U.S. affiliated with the global militant movements are obligated to take responsibility for their actions instead of throwing this burden onto the whole Muslim community. Since there is no single leader who represents all of America's Muslims, we must not allow the actions of an individual or group to fall on the heads of the millions of peaceful Muslims in this country. We therefore appeal to Muslim organizations to take a courageous stand regarding all that is going on and openly disclose their ties to foreign groups and movements, as well as the nature of these associations. This act in itself will distinguish who bears responsibility for the senseless acts of a few.

ISCA feels a heavy responsibility in presenting these articles for the thoughtful consideration of our Muslim brothers and sisters. Some disruptive elements in our community have before--as they will again--cry that we are "American agents," but we are not bothered by false accusations. We are not the sole or even the first voice raising these issues that are openly discussed in the Arab media.

ISCA is not affiliated with any government, and recognizes that it has a duty to stand up and speak the truth. The unacceptable alternative is to let extremist organizations who now operate on our own soil continue to flourish with donations from unwitting American Muslims, destroying our community from within.