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Will Muslims Fight
The Islamists?
Kitchens
Additions
Baths
Basements
Garages
Windows
& Doors
Philadelphia
Broadcasting, titled
"Islam vs. Islamists"
ast week, federal pros-
and slated to be shown
ecutors filed docu-
on the national Public
ments in a Dallas court
Broadcasting Service on
relating to the upcoming trial
its "Crossroads" series
of those accused of running a
hosted by newsman
fundraising organization for the
Robert MacNeil.
Jonathan S.
Hamas terrorist group.
The film — written,
Tobin
Among those listed as unin-
directed and narrated
Special
dicted co-conspirators in the
by documentary film-
Commentary
case of the Hamas-controlled
maker Martyn Burke,
Holy Land Foundation is
and produced by
the Council on American-Islamic
Frank J. Gaffney Jr. and Alex Alexiev
Relations (CAIR).
of the Center for Security Policy, a
For those who have closely studied
Washington think tank — portrays
the origins of groups like CAIR, this
the vicissitudes of genuine Muslim
development cannot be considered a
moderates who support Western free-
surprise.
doms and oppose terror. It also details
As experts on the issue, like Steven
the lengths to which radicals have
Emerson, have long pointed out, CAIR gone to suppress their Muslim critics.
was founded largely as a political
PBS spiked the film, which would
front for Hamas fundraising in this
have aired with other "Crossroads"
country. Its membership is populated
films in a series begun in April.
with apologists for Islamist terrorism. MacNeil alleged that the film was
But the public image of this group,
"alarmist" and "one-sided!'
which has received remarkably sym-
Though other entries in the series,
pathetic coverage in newspapers such such as MacNeil's personal produc-
as the New York Times in the last year, tion, "The Muslim Americans," which
is that of an ordinary civil-rights
sympathetically portrayed CAIR,
group.
were aired without allowing their
Representatives of CAIR are treated critics a say, the taxpayer-supported
as "moderates;' and the legitimate
network has not broadcast a film that
spokespersons for Muslim and Arab
lets other Muslim voices be heard.
Americans by the news media. But
The only way to view this film at the
fortunately, theirs is not the only point moment is via independent showings
of view to be found among Muslims
at various locales sponsored by the
living here in North America or even
producers.
in Europe, where Islamist radicalism
Having viewed the film, I find it
is on the rise.
hard to understand MacNeil's objec-
Muslims who believe their com-
tions. In its one hour, "Islam vs.
munity can and must integrate itself
Islamists" skillfully tells the tale of a
into liberal Western societies — who
few courageous Muslims who have
oppose the use of terrorism in the
bucked the radicals who seem to dom-
name of their faith, and who support
inate Muslim institutions in the West.
democratic values as well as the rights
One is Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, a Phoenix
of women — do exist.
physician who helped organize
But where are such voices, so
a group called Muslims Against
needed in an era when Islamists who
Terror in the aftermath of the Sept.
are in a state of war with the West are
11 attacks, and later helped found
working overtime to infiltrate and
the American Islamic Forum for
control Muslim communities and
Democracy. Jasser grew tired of hear-
mosques? The answer is that, given
ing people ask why Muslims were not
the level of intimidation enforced by
speaking up to denounce those who
Islamist imams and their political fel- murdered in the name of his faith and
low travelers, few are willing to step
took action.
forward to challenge the radicals.
For his troubles, a local Muslim
This issue takes center spotlight
newspaper that shared an office with
in a new documentary commis-
Other Views on page 25
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celebrating 55 years
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June 15, 2007
Love, commitment, humor,
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We are inspired and awed by you!
Love from all of your children and grandchildren,
Keith, Tiki, Shlomit, Miriam Mariasha,
Michal and Shira
Stephen, Beth and Sarah
Laurie and Josh
Randy, Sam, Hayley, Noah, Ethan and Leah
,
1270070
JN
June 14 • 2007
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