Terrorism expert Steven Emerson is giving a lecture on radical Islamic infiltration of America at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, and the usual suspects (Islamists and Western useful idiots) are seething mad and planning to protest: Ex-CNN reporter’s lecture here will bring protest as some call him anti-Muslim. (Hat tip: Paul.)

Some community members are angry about an upcoming lecture by controversial author and former CNN reporter Steven Emerson, claiming Emerson is anti-Muslim.

Emerson, who wrote the 2002 bestseller “American Jihad: The Terrorists Living Among Us,” is scheduled to speak at Tucson’s Jewish Community Center Monday evening as part of the University of Arizona’s Shaol Pozez Memorial Lectureship Series.

“The organizations that sponsored this man are not helping peace between the Muslim and Jewish faiths,” said Muhammad As’ad, a Muslim who plans to protest the talk Monday. “This is going to be a very upsetting scene.”

UA officials say they are aware of the opposition, but the talk is part of the series’ goal of rigorous discussion resulting in a better understanding of important issues.

According to literature promoting his talk, Emerson is expected to speak about how militant Islamic individuals and groups have insinuated themselves into Western society. He contends that Islamist extremists living in the U.S. often pretend to be moderate while secretly carrying out a terrorist agenda in funding, organizing and coordinating the activities of radical Islamic groups.

Emerson’s critics say the UA’s Arizona Center for Judaic Studies, which is sponsoring Emerson’s talk, should not be sanctioning “anti-Muslim rhetoric.”

“I think he’s a racist. … He runs around and scapegoats Muslims,” said Racheli Gai, a member of the local Women in Black group, which is an international peace network. She’s also a co-founder of the Tucson Peace Walk — an annual walk and gathering of Muslims and Jews.

As a Jew, Gai said she’s very angry that the Jewish community is supporting Emerson. Co-sponsors of the lectureship series include the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona and the Tucson Jewish Community Center. Gai said she expects a group of Christians, Jews and Muslims will be protesting outside the center.