Introduction:

President Obama annouced to the nation that the war in Iraq is finalling winding down. Our nation spend billions of dollars on Bus’sh Bogus war and dropped smart bombs on a dumb mission. Check out the pieces below

Imam Mahdi Bray

Quote of the Day: ” Bombs over Baghdad, children die, mothers cry, and I still ask why.”

There Is No “Victory” in the Iraq “Withdrawal.”

Imagine that you are the owner of a large home, and that many members of your extended family live there. Another family, hostile to you and not even in your neighborhood, falsely accuses you of plotting to attack them.
You try to speak with your antagonist, but to no avail; they are determined to seek revenge on your clan despite their lack of evidence of your hostile intent.

Then they break into your home, kill some of your relatives, steal your valued treasures, and evict you from the house, while they proceed to break your furniture, smash your kitchen, and slice up your bedroom mattress – all the while keeping you from returning to the home that is rightfully yours, along with some of your surviving relatives, who are in deep trauma, and who now begin to attack each other out of frustration over their circumstances.

Then, some seven years after they attacked you and evicted you from your home, the bullies vacate the house and leave you a check for $100 to “compensate” you for the damage.

This, in metaphor, is the U.S. experience in Iraq.  And it is why we cannot go for the bogus and disingenuous claim that the withdrawal of “combat” U.S. military teams from that nation -while leaving some 50,000 American troops as “trainers” and “advisers” to the Iraqi military – is any kind of victory.

President Obama, in his campaign run for office, reminded us that he opposed the Iraq war.  Now we need to remind him of the horror of the U.S. aggression that was based on deliberate deception and an agenda of resource control.  Despicable though Saddam Hussein might have been, he was not a collaborator in the September 11th, 2001 terror attacks on America.  Neither did Iraq possess any of those dreaded “Weapons of mass Destruction” touted by the CIA and the Pentagon as the “smoking gun” that triggered the 2003 American (re)-invasion of that nation.

And now, while civil war and sectarian violence rage in Iraq, while the nation has neither a national government nor a clear strategy for reconstruction,  the United States has pulled combat forces from Iraq, including troops that will, without doubt, be redeployed to the senseless vortex of war in Afghanistan.  And to add to the messy tragedy, it was reported this week by reliable news sources that America has apparently wasted five billion-billion-dollars in failed and incomplete development assistance projects in Iraq.

War is truly proverbial quicksand that is far easier to jump into that to get out of.  The President is correct when he said that this nation has paid a high price for this military adventure, but the price has been far greater for the people of Iraq themselves. No doubt, the U.S. partial military withdrawal will be a relief for some in America, including families of thousands of dead and wounded soldiers.  But as my own two humanitarian visits to Iraq confirmed, in 1998 and 2000, the country, after the first Gulf War, remains horribly wounded and scarred.

There is no “victory” in withdrawing from a war that never should have started in the first place.  It is even arguable that the danger of extremism and fratricidal civil war in Iraq fed off the U.S. invasion itself.

War, anywhere and under any circumstances, is a brutal, messy, and inhumane enterprise. And the war in Iraq, in particular, is a war that should never have happened.  The only possible, and partial, “victory” would come when America foots the bill for full Iraqi national reconstruction, pays reparations for the immense number of Iraqis killed and wounded by American forces since the 1991 economic sanctions and the 2003 re-invasion, and promises never to repeat this tragedy in Afghanistan, or Iran, or anywhere else in the Muslim-majority world.

Ibrahim Ramey

Introduction:

Yesterday I attended another interfaith even in which faith leaders spoke up against the current wave of violence and Islamophobia that is occurring in America. As usual, faith leaders quoted scriptures from their sacred texts that denounced bigotry and hatred. They pledged their resolve to stand with American Muslims against all forms of prejudice and injustice. And that is good and commendable. But as I sat there listening to speaker after speaker it dawned on me that there is something missing from these wonderful faith leaders’ speeches. They denounced bigoted acts, but never the bigoted actors.  It’s time for these religious leaders and their organizations to name names. Let me get the process started, “role call”: Stephen Emmerson, Robert Spencer, Pamela Geller, Joe Kaufman, Daniel Pipes, Rita Katz…There is more, but in the meantime, check out the piece below.

Quote of the Day: “What goes on in the dark, must come out in the light.”

National Faith Leaders Hold Press Conference on Growing Violence and Bigotry Towards American Muslims

Prominent national faith leaders held a press conference yesterday to discuss the growing number of anti-Muslim incidents occurring recently within the United States. The press conference was held at the Western Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. The group denounced the increased violence and bigotry that has been exhibited towards Muslims and their houses of worship (mosques). The national faith and organizational leaders acknowledged that much of the current Islamophobic activity is being performed by a well-organized vocal minority. The group also acknowledged that the same vocal minority has been emboldened by the irresponsible and bigoted rhetoric espoused by political candidates and public officials. Represented at the press conference were:

Nihad Awad                           Council on American Islamic Relations

Naeem Baig                            Islamic Circle of North America Council for Social Justice

Rev. Karen Brau                     Luther Place Church

Imam Mehdi Bray                   Muslim American Society Freedom

Jean Duff                                Center for Interfaith Action

Rev. Jeffrey Haggray              First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.

Sr. Asma Hanif                       Council of Muslim Organizations

Rabbi Mindy Portnoy             Temple Sinai

Rabbi Jonathan Roos              Temple Sinai

Rabbi Ethan Seidel                 Tifereth Israel Congregation

Salam Al-Maryati                   Muslim Public Affairs Council

Rev. John Wimberly               Western Presbyterian Church

The speakers reaffirmed their resolve to actively engage, within their faith-based traditions, all forms of violence, hate, and bigotry directed towards the American Muslim community.

Introduction:

Glenn Beck’s “Fox and friends Tea Party rally” on the 47^th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech does little to honor the legacy and the values of this colossal civil and human rights leader. Beck is correct in stating that no one group owns the values and legacy of King. But the racist xenophobic ranting of Beck compounded by a messianic complex certainly reveals that Beck and his cohorts are way off the mark when it comes to the dream and vision that Dr. King espoused for this nation and the world. What a sham. Check out the piece below.

Quote of the day: The moral arc of the universe is long but it bends towards justice.

Dr. King’s Dream versus Glenn Beck’s Scheme

Saturday, August 28^th, marks the 47^th Anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech, given at a huge civil rights march at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.  For many, this speech was the prophetic vision that re-ignited the national movement for African-American civil rights.   The date marks a significant milestone in the African-American freedom struggle and the social history of the 20^th century.

But arch-conservative Glenn Beck has a dream, and a plan, as well.  On August 28^th of this year, he will rally thousands of Tea Party activists, including former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, ostensibly to honor the American military and call for some sort of “national renewal” along the ideological lines of the anti-Obama movement.  Beck is quite aware of the symbolism of this date and this place, and he claims that he has no intention of using his event to detract from the legacy of Dr. King.

Others, however, have a different take on the Tea Party convergence. Nationally known activist, Rev. Al Sharpton, will lead a civil rights march through the streets of the nation’s capital, and hold a counter-rally across from the Beck group. Furthermore, members of the New Black Panther party have promised a more in-your-face challenge to Beck- one that has the potential, some say, to end in physical violence.

All of this would make for entertaining political theatre, except for the enormous mess that America faces, and the huge contradictions of what the Tea Party movement stands for.  Beck plans a gathering that will celebrate “conservative” values and a Rightist political agenda that is, essentially, anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, and anti-progressive.  The Tea Party is not particularly fond of the values that are so evident in the legacy of Dr. King; and that includes the legacy of interfaith solidarity and respect for the value of religious tolerance.

The wave of extreme Islamophobia sweeping America, and the challenge to the religious liberties of Muslims who lawfully seek to establish or expand houses of worship and community centers, is a grave issue that the Muslim and civil rights communities and their interfaith allies are now bringing to the forefront of a national agenda.  Supporting religious freedom is an essential position that all “patriotic” Americans should embrace, but the American “Right” seems to believe that freedom of religion stops at the door of the mosque.

But will Mr. Beck use his platform to publicly, and unequivocally, denounce bigotry and religious intolerance?  Will he call for an end to violent attacks against Muslim individuals and communities, or condemn the planned burning of Qur’ans scheduled for September 11th in Florida?  I don’t think so.

Seven years ago, I had the honor to recite a Muslim prayer at the opening of the 40^th Anniversary of the historic March on Washington.   Ten years earlier, I attended the 30^th Anniversary of the same event.  The day should be a time for the renewal of a national commitment to end racism and all forms of bigotry, and not a time for rallying a political formation that is, for the most part, still part of the problem and not part of the solution.  And as a person who has been a guest of Glenn Beck’s FOX network program, I can say, with some authority, that what he stands for is not at all in the tradition of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Glenn Beck has a right, like all citizens, to freely express his political opinions. Some of those expressions are, in my view, counter-progressive and reactionary. He will speak out and dream, but his dream will not be one that honors the best in the tradition of any movement for social justice.  It’s a scheme- not a dream- and it must be resisted at all costs.

-Ibrahim Ramey

Introduction:

Birds of a feather folk together and so do hate groups. According to Southern poverty law center, a well respected watch group that monitors hate groups and their activities, Pamella Geller has won over support from white supremacist groups. Pamella and her side kick,Robert Spenser have made a cottage industry out of bashing Muslims. But as I so often repeated the vial attacks on Islam made by Geller, Spenser, and their controversial terrorist expert Steve Emerson were no different than the activities of white segregationists and clansmen  of the 60′s. the tactics are them same, only the targeted group has changed. Check out the piece below.

Imam Mahdi Bray

Quote: ” Its the same soup just a different bowl.”

White Supremacists Find Common Cause with Pam Geller’s Anti-Islam Campaign

Introduction:

The chatter surrounding’ Ground Zero’ and the proposed Muslim sponsored community center continues. Check out the piece below and make sure you click to hear the NPR ‘To the Point’ show which features a Christian preacher, myself and a Rabbi. It should make for some interesting listening.

Imam Mahdi Bray

Quote of the Day: “Justice delayed is justice denied. “

Imam, Preacher, Rabbi on Islamic Center Near Ground Zero

Note:
MAS Freedom remains vigilant concerning the plan of a small ultra right-wing religious group on September 11th to burn the Holy Quran. We’re calling on people of all faiths to join us in a peaceful non-violent response to this type of religious bigotry. If you would like to assist MAS Freedom and others in this proactive, peaceful response to this type of religious extremism, please contact us at:

MAS Freedom
1325 G Street NW, Suite 500
Washington DC 20005
Email: info@masfreedom.org         Phone: 1-888-627-8471        Fax: 757-299-9961

In the meanwhile, checkout the piece below.

Quote of the day: “Deliberate injustice is ultimately more fatal to the one who imposes it than the one on whom it is imposed.”

Armed Group To Guard Church During Koran Burning

Posted in U.S. News by Rudi Stettner

A group that proudly calls itself Right Wing Extreme has pledged to protect a church in Gainesville , Florida that is planning to hold a Koran burning on 9/11, according to WorldCorrespondents.com, which reports as follows.

“This Press Release entitled “Armed Christian Conservative group to protect church during burning of Quran” was shared to us by Prince Shannon Carson of Right Wing Extreme.

The Christian conservative organization Right Wing Extreme has offered its support and protection for the International Burn a Quran day.

Right Wing Extreme was founded in April of 2009 after the Department of Homeland Security’s report titled Right Wing Extremism.”

Unlike the infamous cross burnings of the Ku Klux Klan which were often staged on the property of opponents to intimidate them, the Koran burning will be held on the premises of Dove Ministries International, with their enthusiastic consent. The only laws that could be used against such an event would probably deal with  air pollution rather than objectionable political expression. A case might be made that the Koran burning is a disturbance of the peace.

Unlike the Mohammed cartoon dispute of 2005, which sparked bloody riots, American Muslims have responded to the Dove Ministries provocation with American style media savvy. The Book of Signs Foundation has pledged to distribute 50 free Korans for every copy burned on 9/11. This puts Dove Ministries in a quandary. The bigger and more successful their Koran burning is, the more free copies will be distributed of the Koran.

Most Muslims in America seem to recognize that struggles for the hearts and minds of believers involve arguing and presenting one’s point of view. It is doubtful that a single Muslim will alter or change his or her faith because of the burning of the Koran.

In America, people missionize their religion and their politics. Book burnings of any sort turn people off. The scariest thing to any religious fanatic is the freedom one has in America to practice, change or reject one’s faith.

There are people who get their jollies desecrating the symbol of someone else’s faith, such as Andres Serrano in his infamous “Piss Christ” exhibit, in which he suspended a crucifix in a jar of urine. Most Americans, from devout Christians to avowed atheists and members of non Christian faiths, were disgusted by Serrano’s gratuitous slap at Christian believers. Most Americans feel the same way about the Koran burners at Dove Ministries as well.

My home boy and colleague, Ibrahim, was published in the Hill Newspaper today, Check out the piece below.

Imam Mahdi Bray

Oh, click here to view the MAS Freedom News Conference on “Ground Zero and Religious Freedom” at the national press club. Be sure you check out the disruptive antics of a right wing fanatic posing as a gentleman.

Quote of the day: “Truth crushed to the earth still rises.”

In support of religious freedom for Muslims in America

By Ibrahim Ramey

At a time when the civil and constitutional rights of Muslims are under attack throughout the United States, I celebrate the statement made by President Obama on August 13th, which affirmed the right of the American Muslim community to establish houses of worship, and expand current facilities when required by our community needs.  This right of religious freedom is guaranteed by the First Amendment of United States Constitution.

However, the question of freedom of religion for Muslims in America is not confined to the issue of the proposed project of the Cordoba Initiative in lower Manhattan.  Indeed, Muslim communities throughout the United States-in Connecticut, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, and other states, face zoning challenges, regulatory opposition, and even intimidation and threats of violence when they announce plans to build houses of worship or enlarge mosques and Islamic centers that currently exist.

There is even a document, currently circulating on the internet, that is a virtual “ How to Stop a Mosque” manual for communities that want to mobilize against the legitimate religious rights of Muslims. There have been recent instances, for example, of peaceful Muslim worshipers who were confronted by hostile crowds upon leaving mosques after Friday prayers.  One such anti-Muslim church community in Florida is even planning to publicly burn copies of the Holy Qur’an on September 11th, 2010.

MAS Freedom believes that the vast majority of people of faith in America are fair and just in their respect for Muslims and the religion of Islam, and that a spirit of mutual tolerance and respect defines the vast majority of these relationships. However, a disturbing trend of unwarranted opposition to Muslims, and even the open hatred of our faith, is emerging from some extreme political quarters in the nation:

Political conservatives rage against Islam in the media, and even equate the construction of a community and religious center in lower Manhattan-one that is not even at the site of World Trade Center-as tantamount to an act of treason. A number of Muslim congregations have been confronted by angry protesters after the conclusion of our Friday congregational prayers. Mosques have been vandalized, and even threatened with destruction.  Muslim women wearing Hijab, the traditional head covering, have been harassed in public and there is even one religious congregation in Florida that has called for the public burning of copies of the Holy Qur’an on September 11, 2010.

Yet the continued exploitation of the emotions that followed the September 11th, 2001 attacks must not be used as a pretext to demonize the entire American Muslim community.  This was a crime committed by Al-Queda;  American Muslims did not orchestrate, finance, or execute this vile act.  And no national Muslim organization condoned or excused this crime. Indeed, the American Muslim community was also victimized by this terrorist attack, and hundreds of Muslims were among the dead and injured at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Muslims in America seek positive engagement with the broader American community. We sponsor community-based educational, charitable, and youth development initiatives. We are anxious to demonstrate to others the genuine tenets of our faith, and our commitment to work for social welfare and social justice not only for Muslims, but for all people in our great nation but we will not accept second class citizenship, or the compromise of our legitimate freedoms and constitutional protections.  We appeal to all people of faith and conscience to affirm faith over fear, and religious freedom and justice for all.

More than the freedom of religious expression, we believe that establishment of the Park 51 project of the Cordoba initiative, and the expansion of other religious facilities for Muslim communities in America, would represent a victory against the extremists who mischaracterize our nation as one that is hostile to the religion of Islam.  Indeed, the values of justice, compassion, and the celebration of pluralism- so inextricably woven into our best traditions- send a powerful message to the world that Islam, along with the other faith traditions in the mosaic of this country, enjoys the freedoms and protections that all other religions do in America.

As a Muslim, a seventh-generation citizen of the United States, and a descendent of enslaved Africans transported to these shores, I celebrate not only this part of the American legacy, but the centuries of sacrifice and struggle that have made this freedom possible.  Hatred, prejudice, and the false notion of the collective guilt of all American Muslims may contaminate the thinking of some people in our society, but they are not the values that uphold the best of what America should mean to the world.

The free expression of religion must not be truncated by fear or falsehood.  And Muslims, who contribute so much to the well-being of America, must be equally protected under the supreme law of this republic-the constitution of the United States.

Ibrahim Ramey is an international human rights and interfaith activist. He currently serves as the Director of the Human and Civil Rights Department of the Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation (MAS Freedom)

Introduction:

Given a the nation’s stagnant economy, double digit unemployment,  home foreclosures, and an environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, you would think that politicians would turn their energy to these real issues rather than playing political football with the religious freedom of Muslims and their right to build a community center two blocks from “Ground Zero”. Why wont members of congress really pay tribute to the tragedy of 9-11 by passing HR842 also known as the James Zadroga 9-11 Health and Compensation Act of 201o. This legislation would give health relief to those men and women who risked their lives as first responders to the tragic event of 9-11. Members of congress who refuse to pass this legislation do a dis service to the memory of the victims of 9-11 and those first responders who risked their lives to save lives on that tragic day. Check out the piece below.

Imam Mahdi Bray

Quote of the Day: “Be weary of the politicians who talk North but walk South.”

MAS Freedom Encourages Congress to Confront “Real” Ground Zero Issue

Pass Healthcare Legislation for 9-11 First Responders

While the mass media and the political establishment focus on the location of the so-called “Ground Zero” mosque project in lower Manhattan-which is not
even located at the actual site of the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center-a huge injustice is being done to the heroes of the tragic attack-the men and women who, as first responders, went in to the burning buildings of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Many of those who survived this heroic intervention now suffer from chronic, and often life threatening. Ailments associated with their exposure to toxic smoke and materials in the debris of the buildings.

H.R. 842-also known as the James Zadroga 9-11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010-would have authorized health care compensation for these heroes.  BUT CONGRESS, BECAUSE OF THE MANEUVERING AND OPPOSITION OF SOME MEMBERS, HAS REFUSED TO PASS THIS VITAL LEGISLATION.
MAS Freedom has sent a letters to Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), speaker of the House, the House majority leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD),and the House minority leader John Boehner (R-OH) calling upon them to urgently pass this vital legislation that gives Health relief to those who risked their lives on 9-11 to save others. Click here to view letter. We ask you, too, to fax or call the following:

Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

P: (202) 225-4965

Fax:  (202) 225-4188

Steny Hoyer (D-MD)

Phone: (202) 225-4131

Fax: (202) 225-4300

John Boehner (R-OH)

Phone: (202) 225-4000
Fax: (202) 225-5117

We, also, ask you to contact your member of congress in your district and urge them to end all partisan argument over this bill, and to pass it. (Note: You can find the contact information for your member of Congress at: www.house.gov/writerep. Just enter your state and ZIP code).

As Muslims, and as people of faith and moral conviction, we must stand together to demand that our national legislature do what is right, and moral, and pass this bill.  The surviving first responders to the 9-11 must receive the necessary health care for the grave illnesses and injuries that were afflicted upon them.
Mahdi Bray, the Executive Director of MAS Freedom, states that “It is a disgrace that politicians are willing to sacrifice the religious rights of Muslims to political expedience, demagoguery, and election opportunism, but refuse to pass the legislation that would provide this vital health care to the first responders at ground zero. This is political hypocrisy at its worst.”

To view MAS Freedom Letter click here

Introduction: You know your real friends in times of crisis. We salute those who stood with us today in defense of religious freedom at the National Press club. And we salute all those with in our nation who stand with us in defending the cherished principals of liberty ans religious freedom. Check out he piece below.

Imam Mahdi Bray

Quote of the Day: ” We the American Muslims refused to have our rights sacrificed on the alter of political expedience, demagoguery and opportunism. We are not the terrorist suspects but rather we are this nations brightest prospect. Thus, second class citizenship is not an option ” Imam Mahdi Bray

MAS Freedom Press Conference Demonstrates Broad Interfaith Support for Muslim Religious Freedoms, Mosque Construction

Washington D.C. (MASF) Aug. 17, 2010 – In a media room capacity press event, MAS Freedom, joined by major leaders from the Jewish, Christian, and interfaith communities, defended not the so-called “Ground Zero” mosque, but the religious right of Muslims everywhere in America to practice our faith and build our communities.

More than 20 major national and international media organizations came to the National Press Club in Washington, DC to attend the press event, hosted my MAS Freedom and moderated by MAS Freedom Executive Director, Mahdi Bray.  Bray opened the event by placing the opposition to the Cordoba Initiative ”Ground Zero” mosque and community center project into the national context of broad attacks on Muslim houses of worship and communities throughout the United States.  He stated that MAS Freedom

remains deeply concerned that the question of freedom of religion for Muslims in America is not confined to the issue of the proposed project of the Cordoba Initiative (often referred as the “Ground Zero” Mosque) in lower Manhattan. Indeed, Muslim communities throughout the United States – in Connecticut, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Wisconsin, California and other states, face zoning challenges, regulatory opposition, and even intimidation and threats of violence when they announce plans to build houses or worship or enlarge mosques and Islamic centers that currently exist. Current research by American University reveals that opposition to building mosques and the vandalizing of mosques are on the rise in America. Holding a small copy of the United States constitution, Bray then called on the “better angels” of American society to stand for the constitutional rights of all people of faith.

Ibrahim Ramey of MAS Freedom, Arielle Gingold of the Interfaith Alliance (the largest interfaith organization in America), Ron Cruz of Pax Christi USA (the largest Catholic peace and social justice organization in the country), and Corey Saylor of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) echoed the sentiment that Muslims, like other Americans, should not be opposed when they seek to build houses of worship.

These speakers also unanimously affirmed the fact that American Muslims bear no collective guilt for the terrorist attack on September 11^th, 2001, and that the proposed project of the New York City-based Cordoba Initiative is not proposed for location on the site of the attack.

“American Muslims did not plan, finance, or execute this criminal act.  And Muslims were also victimized by this act of terrorism” stated Ramey.  He also mentioned the political motives of many opponents of the project “that can be characterized as anti-immigrant and anti-worker, in addition to being anti-Muslim.

However, notable national political leaders,  including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and President Obama, have publicly stated their support for the lower Manhattan project, as have major leaders in the New York City Jewish and Christian communities.

But the prophetic and powerful voice of Rabbi Arthur Waskow of the Shalom Center truly captured the sentiments of all the presenters when he spoke of the goodness and integrity of the Cordoba Initiative leaders, and then told a story of his own grandmother, who, some 60 years ago, rebuked another woman after that woman made racially insensitive remarks. “This is not what we say about other people, because this is America”, he recounted from his grandmother’s words.

Imam Bray then concluded the press conference by stating that MAS Freedom will continue to organize and expand its national campaign “Protect Mosques and American Religious Freedom.” The campaign will provide educational materials with factual information concerning Muslims and their houses of worship and encourage Mosques across America to open their houses of worship to their neighbors during this month of Ramadan.

Also, the MAS Freedom project through its civil rights division will assist Muslim communities and any faith group in America in defending their religious rights to lawfully build houses of worship.

“Second class citizenship is not an option for American Muslims”, Bray concluded.

Khalilah Sabra, Director

click here to see pictures from the event