CAIR Joins Interfaith Leaders in Condemning 'Obsession' Distribution

CAIR Joins Interfaith Leaders in Condemning 'Obsession' Distribution

Jewish, Christian, Muslim leaders say film attempts to 'de-humanize' Muslims

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today joined dozens of national Jewish, Christian and Muslim interfaith leaders in condemning the distribution of the anti-Muslim film "Obsession" to 28 million households in presidential election swing states nationwide.

A statement, issued today at a news conference held by the Interfaith Alliance in Washington, D.C., read in part:

"We, the undersigned religious leaders, representing a wide spectrum of theological beliefs and political persuasions, have come together in moral consensus to voice our deep concern over the recent distribution of a deeply divisive and anger-provoking DVD called 'Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West' to residents across the United States.

"The singular impact of this DVD is not to fight our common threat of terrorism, but to mischaracterize Islam in a way that de-humanizes Muslims...

"'Obsession' serves as a divisive political ploy that undermines the integrity of American religious pluralism. Indeed, it is the duty of every American to stand against those who would divide our common and cherished beliefs by inciting fear and furthering ignorant stereotypes."

CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad is a signatory to the joint statement, which was coordinated by the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC).

To read the entire statement, go to: http://www.mpac.org/article.php?id=711

Over the weekend, CAIR released a statement by Howard Gordon, the executive producer of Fox's drama "24," in which he withdrew his endorsement of "Obsession." Gordon said that "the goal of co-existence and tolerance is not being served by films like Obsession."

CAIR noted that others are withdrawing their support for the film that many commentators have called anti-Muslim "propaganda." Even a pro-Israel think tank, the Endowment for Middle East Truth (EMET), pulled out of "The Obsession Project."

Dr. Khaleel Mohammed, a Muslim interviewee for "Obsession," now calls the production a "vile piece of propaganda." In a statement sent to the website www.obsessionwithhate.com, Dr. Mohammed said: "Sadly, it would seem that I have allowed myself to be used."

SEE: Statement of Dr. Khaleel Mohammed http://www.obsessionwithhate.com/thepundits.php#khaleel

The "Obsession with Hate" site was launched recently by the Hate Hurts America Multifaith Community Coalition (HHA), a group of religious and civic organizations seeking to challenge hate speech in our society.

A recent article in the St. Petersburg Times revealed ties between the film's distributor, the Clarion Fund, and the Israel-based group Aish HaTorah. The newspaper's investigative report stated: "Clarion's address, according to Manhattan directory assistance, is the same address as Aish HaTorah International, a fundraising arm of Aish HaTorah. The Clarion Fund and Aish HaTorah International are also connected to a group called HonestReporting, which produced Obsession. HonestReporting's 2006 tax return uses the same address."

Based on these revelations and on the Clarion Fund's apparent attempt to use its non-profit status to impact the presidential election in favor of a particular candidate, CAIR filed complaints with both the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Those interviewed in "Obsession" constitute a veritable who's who of Muslim-bashers. Speakers include Walid Shoebat, who once told a Missouri newspaper that he sees "many parallels between the Antichrist and Islam" and "Islam is not the religion of God -- Islam is the devil." (Springfield News-Leader, 9/24/07)

Others interviewed in the film include Nonie Darwish, a self-styled "former Moslem" who wrote that "Islam is cruel, anti-women, anti-religious freedom and anti-personal freedom in general;" and Daniel Pipes, who warned a Jewish convention of the "true dangers" posed by "the presence, and increased stature, and affluence, and enfranchisement of American Muslims." (American Jewish Congress, 10/21/2001)

Another "Obsession" interviewee, Brigitte Gabriel, told the Australian Jewish News: "Every practising Muslim is a radical Muslim." She also claimed that "Islamo-fascism is a politically-correct word... it's the vehicle for Islam... Islam is the problem."

When asked whether Americans should "resist Muslims who want to seek political office in this nation," Gabriel said:

"Absolutely. If a Muslim who has -- who is -- a practicing Muslim who believes the word of the Koran to be the word of Allah, who abides by Islam, who goes to mosque and prays every Friday, who prays five times a day -- this practicing Muslim, who believes in the teachings of the Koran, cannot be a loyal citizen to the United States of America."

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 35 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Source: Council on American-Islamic Relations

CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR National Communications Director,
+1-202-488-8787 or +1-202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com, or Amina Rubin, CAIR
Communications Coordinator, +1-202-488-8787, arubin@cair.com

Web Site: http://www.obsessionwithhate.com/

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