From: alimhaq@city-net.com (Jeremiah McAuliffe)


On 23 Mar 1999 16:37:17 -0800, Hesham Bazaraa <hmhsb@frontiernet.net
wrote:


>The reference to "ordinary American Muslims" is meant to rally
>Muslims against Shaykh Hisham. His speech strongly criticized
>Muslim extremists in leadership positions, they had to device
>a way to twist Shaykh Hisham's words so as to lie to the "ordinary
>Muslim" and say, "look he is attacking you", when in reality
>it is the abuse of the Muslim leadership that Shaykh Hisham is
>attacking, in defense of the "ordinary Muslim".

The whole episode is a sad, sad day for Muslim-America.

A couple of weeks ago, Nihad Awad, head of CAIR, was in Pittsburgh. I
asked him about this and he provided the evasive non-answers of a
master politician.

Now, this was especially troubling in that I am (or have been) a vocal
and financial supporter of CAIR. The leadership seems to have no
problem whatsoever alienating supporters who may question their
statements or actions. This is familiar to me from dealing with local
Muslim "leadership". Go along with them and you will get benefits,
question them and they have no problem vilifying you, lying about you
and rejecting you. In other words-- our "leaders" could, in reality,
care less about "ordinary American Muslims". They have no trouble
stomping on them when it is convenient-- even when they are
supporters.

Awad most likely knew I would bring up the subject, as I had been
having e-mail with another CAIR leader Ibrahim Hooper.

Hooper initiated the e-mail. He failed to acknowledge the issue being
the inaccuracies in presenting the meaning and quotes from Kabbani's
speech. Even though I reminded him of my support for them, even though
they did not take MY discrimination case, I STILL supported them. This
made no difference to Hooper who clearly showed no problem with
alienating supporters over this matter, and who clearly showed an
unwillingness to acknowledge truthful statements, or even acknowledge
my past support of CAIR.

Hooper has NEVER e-mailed me thanking me for supportive, encouraging
statements. However, twice now he has e-mailed me within *minutes* of
my posting statements questioning CAIR. Both times he has responded
more like a usenet flamer, rather than a rep of a national
organization responding to an individual he reputedly represents.

I had informed him that I would perhaps ask Awad about this when he
visited here.

Neither of them behaved as "leaders" of national organizations. I can
only imagine how they treat people who DON'T support them!

I asked Awad a two-part question: prefacing both with a voice of
support and praise for their good efforts, and stating I am both a
financial and vocal supporter. I then asked my two questions--
regarding CAIR's organizational focus, and the Kabbani issue. I asked
if he would comment on both. I was polite, respectful and made no
accusations.... simply raised the issues and asked for his comments.

Regarding organizational focus Awad said that all organizations have a
focus.

Duh.

The non-answer of a politico......

Regarding Kabbani he said how Kabbani said 80% of the leadership was
extremist. I immediately interrupted and said but that is not what the
accusation I read said Kabbani said. Awad then did a "shut down"
declaring they stand by the statement and he would talk to me
one-on-one afterwards.

Well, I've been around the block a few times and know when someone is,
as we say, "pulling the wool over my eyes" (and I ain't talkin' about
"sufi-wool" <g)

Afterwards, Awad was literally surrounded by the "leadership" of the
masjid-- a masjid filled with money, but somewhat dead of heart. I
waited patiently. Clearly of course, he had no desire to deal with the
issue.

I interjected that his answer was evasive. He denied this and made
vague straw-man arguments about what I do or do not support-- his
technique was the "bowl over with streams of words" technique. Seen it
before. So, I stopped him to demand specifics about what I do or do
not support. Of course, he couldn't respond to that. So I said that I
was NOT defending Kabbani's statement-- and so the ad hominems began.
He said "Yes you are" etc. With that load of BS (what else can you
call it?) I said salaams and sadly, dejectedly, turned away.

He didn't collect much money. As I left I turned and said to them all:
You will never grow because the leaders do not know what it means to
be RIGOURSLY HONEST.

So, it is a sad, sad day for Muslim America, imho. CAIR was, in my
opinion, our best hope for a responsible, honest, national
organization. Now I lump them with ISCA, ISNA and the rest.......
their egos are in overdrive and the smell of power intoxicates them,
and honesty is a word the meaning of which appears to escape them.

But here is a suggestion for both Hooper and Awad for next time a
known supporter questions them or criticizes them....... here is how
you should respond Ibrahim:

"I read with interest your concerns over our stance on so-and-so.
Please be assured we take your concerns to heart, and we realize we
will not always be able to please our supporters, and may sometimes
even make mistakes. Your comments are valuable to us and we appreciate
you taking the time to voice them. We hope for your continued support
and interest as we continue to fight for Muslim rights."

Or something like that.

Now, Awad should have responded along these lines:

(First, regarding organizational focus all he had to do was quote from
CAIR's mission statement-- provided they actually have one and he
knows it. ) Regarding Kabbani he should have said something like "I
know this is a controversial issue, and it has raised much emotion and
concern. Why don't we talk together after the meeting? I appreciate
your support of CAIR and do want to address your concerns, though I
might not be able to convince you of our position on this one issue."

Easy. Simple. The prudent responses of responsible, honest, non-ego
driven, national leadership.

A sad, sad day for Muslim America........

I have now moved closer to Kabbani, and closer to trusting the truth
of his statements. CAIR shot themselves in the foot with this ex- de
facto member.

Allahu 'alim.