Dr. Khaleel Mohammed: 'I apologize to my fellow Muslims for appearing in such
a film'
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today said that a participant in an
anti-Muslim film that is being distributed to 28 million homes in presidential
election swing states has issued a statement calling the production a "vile
piece of propaganda."
In his statement, Dr. Khaleel Mohammed, a professor at San Diego State
University, apologizes to the Muslim community for his role in "Obsession:
Radical Islam's War against the West."
Dr. Mohammed's statement reads in part:
"Sadly, it would seem that I have allowed myself to be used ... The free
distribution of the film to voters in particular districts shows the political
chicanery that is the motive, and the secrecy about the financing of the
distribution only underlines the evil intent in circulating this vile piece of
propaganda.
"Evidence seems to indicate the involvement of Aish ha-Torah in this
dishonest enterprise. I find that particularly distressing, because any Jewish
organization ought to realize what the film seeks to do: they demonize an
entire community to the point where a government takes action to further
beleaguer its citizens and resident aliens simply because of their religious
identity. This bigotry over religion and identity is precisely what caused the
Shoah -- and it is sad that those who ought to have learned what hate can
engender should seek to imitate Nazi propagandism.
"Yet -- for all the nefarious intent of the distributors of the film -- I
must also accept culpability for allowing myself to be so used ... I apologize
to my fellow Muslims for appearing in such a film ... "
His entire statement may be read at www.obsessionwithhate.com, a website
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. (Click on "The Pundits" and scroll down to Khaleel
Mohammed.) The new site is designed as a positive response to the anti-Muslim
bigotry used in "Obsession." CAIR is a coordinating member of HHA.
On Friday, the St. Petersburg Times revealed ties between the film's
distributors and the Israel-based group Aish HaTorah.
SEE: Senders of Islam Movie 'Obsession' Tied to Jewish Charity
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/article827910.ece
Last week, CAIR filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission
(FEC) over the distribution of the film.
SEE: CAIR Asks FEC to Probe Anti-Muslim DVDs Sent to Swing States
http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?ArticleID=25495&&name=n&&currPage=1&&A
ctive=1 (Due to the length of the URLs, please cut and paste them into you
browser.)
Many American Muslims and other people of conscience have expressed
concerns that the massive distribution of such intolerant and biased materials
may lead to an increase in anti-Muslim prejudice and stereotyping.
SEE: Local Muslims Fear Controversial DVD Could Spark Backlash Against
Islam (Sun-Sentinel)
http://www.sunsentinel.com/business/custom/consumer/sflflmuslim0927sbsep27,0,6488471.story
SEE ALSO: Chemical Irritant Empties Islamic
Society of Greater Dayton's Mosque (Dayton Daily News)
http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/09/27/ddn092
608evacweb.html
FBI Investigating Torching of Joplin Mosque's Sign (Joplin Globe)
http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/local_story_270215632.html
Two Charged With Hate Crime for Anti-Muslim
Vandalism in Revere, Massachusetts (U.S. Department of Justice)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20080926/pl_usnw/two_charged_with_hate_crime_for_
anti_muslim_vandalism_in_revere__massachusetts
Audio: Charity Floods Swing States With Anti-Islam DVD (NPR)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95076174
Video: 'Obsession' DVD Causes Controversy (NBC4)
http://www.nbc4i.com/midwest/cmh/news.apx.-content-articles-CMH-2008-09-25-
0031.html
Video: Muslim Group Seeks Federal Inquiry Into 'Obsession' DVD (Toledo
Blade)
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080927/NEWS10/809270253
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.
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director
Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726,
E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications
Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787,
E-Mail: arubin@cair.com
SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations
CAIR National Communications Director, Ibrahim Hooper, +1-202-488-8787 or
+1-202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications, Coordinator Amina
Rubin, +1-202-488-8787, arubin@cair.com
