re: #265 Charles

The main accusation against Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf is that he’s a member of a group that donated money to the Free Gaza group that tried to run Israel’s blockade. This is an extremely weak “link.” Is every member of a group responsible for the donations made by the group? If so, we’re all as radical as the Imam, since one of the groups that donates millions of dollars to the Palestinians on a regular basis is the US government.

Here’s one reference that strikes me as classic apologist for terrorism, straight out of the Muslim Brotherhood playbook.

West must act to end jihad: Imam
By Frank Walker
March 21, 2004 - 1:52AM
The Sun-Herald
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The US and the West must acknowledge the harm they have done to Muslims before terrorism can end, says an Islamic cleric invited to Sydney by Premier Bob Carr.

New York-based Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, who impressed Mr Carr at an international conference last year, arrives in Sydney today for two weeks of meetings and public talks.

Speaking from his New York mosque, Imam Feisal said the West had to understand the terrorists’ point of view.

In a move likely to cause controversy with church leaders, Imam Feisal said it was Christians who started mass attacks on civilians.

“The Islamic method of waging war is not to kill innocent civilians. But it was Christians in World War II who bombed civilians in Dresden and Hiroshima, neither of which were military targets.”

Imam Feisal said the bombing in Madrid had made his message more urgent. He said there was an endless supply of angry young Muslim rebels prepared to die for their cause and there was no sign of the attacks ending unless there was a fundamental change in the world.

Imam Feisal, who argues for a Western style of Islam that promotes democracy and tolerance, said there could be little progress until the US acknowledged backing dictators and the US President gave an “America Culpa” speech to the Muslim world.

His major talks will be at noon on April 1 at St Mary’s Cathedral with Cardinal George Pell and Mr Carr, and a public lecture at 6pm at the Wesley Centre in Pitt Street.