REP. PETER KING SAYS MUSLIMS AREN'T 'AMERICAN' WHEN IT COMES TO WAR - TOP
Lee Fang, Think Progress, 1/11/11

Rep. Peter King (R-NY), the new chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, has promised to launch a series of investigations of Muslim Americans beginning in February. "I've made it clear that I'll focus the committee on counterterrorism and hold hearings on a wide range of issues, including radicalization of the American Muslim community and homegrown terrorism," he told Newsday. King has repeatedly said that he only wants to single out "Islamic terrorism" in his hearings on domestic security, and has even claimed that there are "too many mosques in this country."

Joining anti-Muslim conspiracy theorist Frank Gaffney on Gaffney's radio program last week, King doubled down on his promise to launch a witch-hunt against Muslims. He repeated a falsehood that he stated earlier -- that American Muslims never cooperate to combat terrorism. But in addition to this claim, King made the extraordinary smear that American Muslims aren't "American" when it comes to war. "[W]hen a war begins," King said, every ethnic and religious group unites as "Americans." "But in this case," King continued, referring to Muslims, "this is not the situation. ... Whether it's cultural tradition, whatever, the fact is the Muslim community does not cooperate anywhere near to the extent that it should":

GAFFNEY: It sounds like what you're recognizing -- thank God -- is that within the Muslim community, even in this country, let alone elsewhere, folks are finding an environment in which on the one hand it is very easy to be radicalized if you will, to be brought to an adherence to Sharia which leads to jihad. But also, there's an enomorous pressure on those within the community presumably I would imagine you agree from the Muslim Brotherhood which is much in place in this country to not to come forward, to not help us defeat what really is our common foe: namely the folks that would impose Sharia on all of us.

KING: Yeah, and Frank, this is very unusual for our country because despite a person's ethnic background or religious background, when a war begins, we're all Americans. But in this case, this is not the situation. And whether it's pressure, whether it's cultural tradition, whatever, the fact is the Muslim community does not cooperate anywhere near to the extent that it should. The irony is that we're living in two different worlds. One is the real world that I find when I'm talking with police officers, talking with federal law enforcement authorities. And when I raise the question of Muslim cooperation, they look at me like 'oh of course not, no there's no cooperation, we don't anticipate that.' You know, 'We never expect cooperation.' They try but hardly ever get it. (More)

Listen here.

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NY: KING REFUSES TO EXPAND MUSLIM HEARING'S SCOPE - TOP
Tom Brune, Newsday, 1/11/11

WASHINGTON - Rep. Pete King rejected a call by a key Democrat yesterday to expand a hearing on the radicalization of U.S. Muslims to include other homegrown threats after the Arizona rampage this weekend.

But King (R-Seaford), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said he would consider holding a separate hearing on the shootings if authorities link them to an organized group or "any systematic effort in the United States."

The debate over the scope of the controversial hearing set for February occurred as lawmakers attempted to come to grips with the shootings in Tucson that killed six and wounded 14 others, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), and whether harsh political rhetoric had influenced the gunman.

The committee's top Democrat, Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, yesterday called on King to broaden the hearing to include all forms of domestic terrorism, including the alleged actions of Jared Loughner.

"The chairman of the committee now talks about the Muslim threat, but there is the threat of homegrown terrorists who could be members of some hate group, Klan associated, Aryan Nation associated, or just something they dream up," Thompson said.

Thompson warned against a hearing that would "demonize" Muslims and said the committee should examine if heated rhetoric from tea party and other groups played a role in Tucson. (More)

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ANTI-ISLAM BLOGGER TO HOLD PRO-WAL-MART RALLY - TOP
By Alex Pareene, Salon, 1/11/11

Obsessive anti-Islam blogger Pamela Geller is having another New York rally in support of bigotry and insanity. This time, though, there's a twist: She is still protesting the imaginary "Ground Zero Mosque," but she also wants everyone to know that she's in favor of Wal-Mart.

The giant retail chain that has successfully held the lead in America's race to the bottom would like to expand into New York City. The City Council is against the idea. Geller, obviously, supports Wal-Mart, because liberals dislike Wal-Mart, and liberals love Muslims, and Muslims hate America, and so therefore Wal-Mart is good and loves America.

The beautiful thing about her little flier is how confusing and incoherent it is. It is anti-Mosque, and pro-Wal-Mart, but the Wal-Mart happy face is wearing a veil, and there is an Islamic crescent in place of the style guide-confounding hyphen?

Also, Geller is the lady who decided to loudly boycott Dunkin' Donuts because they had an ad in which spokesperson Rachael Ray wore a scarf that resembled a keffiyeh. Surely Wal-Mart has sold something with a crescent on it at some point. Look, you can buy a Koran for $5! And there's even a Spanish version, for illegal immigrant terror anchor babies! (More)

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MOVIE-GOERS ASKED TO REQUEST LOCAL SCREENINGS OF 'MOOZ-LUM' - TOP
New film traces the real-life story of an American Muslim youth

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/11/11) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today asked movie-goers nationwide to request that the upcoming award-winning film "Mooz-Lum," a real-life story of an American Muslim youth, be shown at a theater in their city by utilizing Eventful's "Demand It!" Service.

The film, scheduled for release in select cities on February 11, follows the story of a young Muslim man as he enters college. New relationships with Muslims as well as those of other faiths challenge his ideals. After the 9/11 attacks, he is forced to face his past and make some of the biggest decisions of his life.

The film won best narrative feature at Urbanworld 2010 and was an official selection at Chicago International Film Festival and Cairo International Film Festival this year.

Mooz-lum's all-star cast includes actors Evan Ross, Nia Long, Roger Guenveur Smith and Danny Glover.

CAIR has partnered with Peace Film, LLC, AMC Theatres and digital media company Eventful in asking movie-goers to request online that their city be chosen as one of the top 10 cities to show the film. Currently, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit, Philadelphia and San Francisco are among the top cities where the film may likely be shown based on demand.

Please visit the Eventful link now and request that your city be selected. The online campaign will end January 21.

For more information on the film, visit: www.moozlumthemovie.com orwww.facebook.com/moozlumthemovie

In an exclusive statement, filmmaker Qasim Basir said:

"I would like this film to serve as a voice for those who've never been properly represented in a film as well as a tool for understanding to those who are less informed about the true human nature of Muslims and Islam. I'm fully confident that our country is ready for a film like this."

SEE: "I Am a Muslimerican" column by Mooz-lum's filmmaker

"Mooz-lum is an inspiring film about a young Muslim man who struggles with his Muslim and American identities and triumphs in the end. In many ways, his struggle mirrors the struggle for America's true values, and how we -- as a nation -- continue to view and treat our own citizens who observe the Muslim faith," said CAIR-Greater Los Angeles Area Communications Manager Munira Syeda.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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-LA Communications Manager Munira Syeda, (714) 776-1847, (714) 851-4851 or E-Mail at info@losangeles.cair.com

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CAIR REP JOINS PANEL ON SHARI'AH, THE CONSTITUTION AND AMERICAN MUSLIMS- TOP

CAIR Government Affairs Director Corey Saylor joined a panel on Shari'ah, the Constitution and American Muslims at the University of Maryland School of Law last month. A video of the panel is available here.

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CAIR-MI REP LECTURES ON YOUTH EXTREMISM AND ENTRAPMENT - TOP

(SOUTHFIELD, MI, 1/11/11) -- A representative of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) recently gave a lecture discussing Islam's stance against violent extremism and community concerns about the aggressive use of government informants to some 200 young Muslims and their parents at the Islamic Association of Greater Detroit in Rochester Hills, Mich.

CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid discussed Islam's position regarding the sanctity of all human life, the imperative to respect the rule of law, as well as how to report those who promote extremist activities over the Internet.

Walid also discussed a number of cases that have transpired in recent years in which FBI confidential informants introduced criminal plots to young, new or impoverished Muslims. Two such cases which were highlighted were the case of an informant turned whistleblower in California and the case that led to the fatal shooting of Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah by FBI agents in late 2009.

SEE: Tension Grows Between Calif. Muslims, FBI After Informant Infiltrates Mosque(Washington Post)
FBI Cover-Up (Michigan Citizen)

Walid has recently given similar lectures in Michigan, Connecticut and Ohio against extremism and about how to report those who use extreme rhetoric.

"While we will continue reiterating Islam's position regarding the sanctity of life and respect for the rule of law, we are also compelled to inform our community about the aggressive use of informants in Islamic organizations and centers," said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, E-Mail: dwalid@cair.com; CAIR-MI Outreach Coordinator Raheem Hanifa, 248-559-2247, E-Mail: rhanifa@cair.com

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