Bismillah

Assalaamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu

I am writing with regard to the recent slanderous campaign that your
organizations have launched against Sheikh Hisham Kabbani.  I am an
American Muslim and converted two years ago as a result of Sheikh
Hisham's dawa efforts.  Since my conversion, he has been a constant
source of comfort, wisdom, and guidance.  As you know, many contemporary
converts encounter enormous difficulties due to the mammoth changes that
embracing Islam requires and the harshness of certain members of our
community.  Many converts do, in fact, leave Islam.  Some statistics
show that as many as fifty percent of individuals who at one point
embrace Islam are later turned away from it.  I am fortunate that Allah
has maintained me on the path of His Religion and that he placed Sheikh
Hisham in my life to help preserve my faith.  Were it not for Sheikh
Hisham's kindness, the difficulties that I have encountered since my
conversion might have been unbearable.

It is for this reason that I am absolutely appalled by your recent
condemnation of Sheikh Hisham.  A mass media smear campaign utilizing
selected portions of a speech quoted out of context without first
attempting to resolve misunderstanding personally is both undignified
and shameful.  Backbiting and irresponsibly promoting attacks against a
pious and devout man who manifests the gentleness of this faith is
sinful.  The tactics which you employed were lamentfully unethical and
would offend any moral individual--let alone Muslims who are obliged to
follow the most dignified and honorable example of our Prophet, peace be
upon him, who was sent as a mercy by Allah.

I am horrified by the division and suspicion which you promoted in
response to Sheikh Hisham's efforts to shelter our community from the
consequences wrought by the violence and extremism which is sometimes
practiced by militants claiming to represent Islam.  Sheikh Hisham is a
man whose life is dedicated to service for this community and your
condemnation shames you.  Furthermore, I would like to remind you of the
effect that your actions have on Muslim converts and even those people
learning about Islam.  To see such a gentle and pious man attacked
without remorse by organizations claiming to represent Islam in America
only harms dawa efforts in this nation.

It is my hope that you reconsider your condemnation and apologize
properly for the grave injustice which has been committed against Sheikh
Hisham.

Thank you for your attention wassalaamu alaikum warahmatullahi
wabarakatuhu.

Sincerely,
Carrie Elizabeth Parsons