Muslims angered by FBI’s invitation to anti-Islamic author

March 20, 2007

Despite the FBI’s claims that it is doing its best to win the trust of Muslim and Arab Americans, the bureau invited an anti-Islamic author to discuss anti-terrorism efforts with Indiana's Joint Terrorism Task Force – a move that angered Islamic organizations in the United States.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) says author Robert Spencer is an "Islamophobe" who distorts the Islamic religion, mainly because of his books "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam" and "The Truth About Muhammad: Founder of the World's Most Intolerant Religion".

The decision by the FBI's Indianapolis office to bring in author Robert Spencer to talk to its anti-terrorism task force raises concerns that the bureau is listening to an 'Islamophobe' who distorts Islam," CAIR said in a statement.

CAIR officials say the Federal Bureau of Investigation had originally planned to have Spencer address Indiana's Joint Terrorism Task Force based in Indianapolis this week.

Spencer, however, had another appointment and therefore the meeting has not yet been held. But both Spencer and the bureau still hope to hold the meeting, the officials said.

Louay Safi, director of leadership development with the Islamic Society of North America, said the FBI's move is akin to bringing an anti-Semite to talk about Jews or a Ku Klux Klan member to discuss racial affairs.

"Many people in our community will not be happy with it," she said.

Safi added that Spencer's writings take selected passages from Islamic writings in a misleading way to prove that the Islamic religion condones terrorism.

The FBI’s use of Spencer will reinforce views that the bureau treats Muslims unfairly, she said.

"When they bring in someone like that, it makes it difficult even for us to explain to the Muslim community that (the FBI) is neutral and is not listening to extremists who really hate Muslims.” Safi said.

U.S. Muslim leaders say the Arab and Muslim community became the FBI’s prime target after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Since then, FBI agents arrested hundreds of people for questioning, raided Muslim charities, monitored mosques, and held suspects for months without being charged.

Muslim leaders say they want to improve their relations with the FBI, but believe that the bureau is targeting the wrong people.

Arab and Muslim Americans also believe that if the FBI agents trusted them more, other Americans would, too.

Source

Further Reading:

700 Club on Insulting Islam

A Mask of Lies