Faxed to 7 orgs...

Dear respected Islamic organization:

It is with great distress that I address you regarding the recent
condemnation of Shaykh Kabbani. I was first made aware of this matter at our
local mosque where the imam actually read the CAIR Alert during Friday
Khutba. Having met Shaykh Kabbani before, I was shocked to hear such a
statement as that 80% of American Muslims are “terrorists” could have come
from him. Consequently, I researched the matter by viewing the videotape of
the State Department Forum on the Islamic Supreme Council Website and
reviewing a copy of the transcripts of his speech. Needless to say, I was
shocked to find that what he actually said was the opposite of what was
claimed by CAIR and the several other organizations who signed the
statement. To my understanding, and I have a Masters Degree in English and
Literature, Shaykh Kabbani stated that the majority of Muslims in America
and throughout the world are peace loving and tolerant people, however there
does exist a vocal minority of extremeists who should not be considered to
represent the whole. It appears that Shaykh Kabbani may have just
singlehandedly saved the entire Muslim Population from undue incrimination.
How anyone could have misinterpreted his statements is beyond my
comprehension. What I would like to know is this: in the unlikely event that
Shaykh Kabbani actually did state that 80% of MUSLIMS are extremeists, did
anybody bother to contact him for clarification of such an untenable
position before issuing a national public appeal condemning him? After all,
he is a respected and popular Islamic leader in America with quite a circle
of influence, and thus probably deserved a call before the whole American
Muslim population was to be incited against him. Was there any attempt made
to contact him to clarify this matter before dragging the whole American
Muslim population into it? I am left to wonder if perhaps the reason no
effort was made to reconcile the matter with him directly is because not one
of the 7 Muslim organizations which signed the condemnation statement was
really interested in reconcialiaition at all? It appears that they simply
saw an opportunity to defame a respected scholar and attempted to capitalize
on it as efficiently as they could. Well, take it to heart when I say that
the Muslims in this country are not just ignorant sheep to be swayed this
way or that by slogan waving pedants seeking to influence public opinion
with a minimal presentation of facts. We are intelligent and educated, and
before succumbing to thoughtlessness, we research the facts carefully before
forming our opinions.

The CAIR Alert seems to be more of a slanderous tabloid than repsonsible
reporting, leave aside as conforming to Islamic etiquette. In order to save
face with the Muslims you claim to represent, I strongly urge you to
expediently issue a public apology to Shaykh Kabbani on the basis of
insufficient facts at the time of your public condemnation, and insha’llah
he will be merciful enough to forgive you and not resort to the same
defamatory tactics. For those of us sitting on the fence, it is now clear
wherein lies spite and wherein should lie our loyalty.

Please do not hesitate to rectify the matter before this mistake creates
serious unforeseen problems for the Muslims of America. I believe it is
still not too late to reconcile. Give unity a chance, and you may yet win
the hearts of the Muslim people. If the other organizations in this slander
campaing insist on maintaining their position, at least separate yourself
for the sake of Allah Almighty.

Sincerely,
Ihsan (ihsan313@hotmail.com)
03/06/99