Dear AMA -

AsSalaamu Alaikum

I was greatly disappointed to hear that AMA was enlisted in a concerted effort to wrongfully defame Shaikh Hisham and his Islamic Organization.  I have visited their website and seen the actual speech made by Sh. Hisham to the State Department and I was shocked and disappointed to see his words taken out of context. 

I had great respect for AMA as well as the other Muslim groups who jointly issued their statement to the State Department; but after this incident, I am afraid I have lost much, if not all, respect for them.  To disagree in Islam according to my humble understanding, is acceptable.  But to twist words simply for the purpose of defaming and antagonizing a group of Muslims contradicts the very spirit of Islam.  It is my sincere hope that your organization will retract its statements or at the very least, issue a modified statement qualifying the acceptability of varying opinions within Islam.  May Allah forgive us.

WasSalaam - Ibrahim Syed, MD

U. Chicago