By Waqas Syed
Irvine, California (March 3, 2011) – Hateful protests recently held against the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) Relief fundraising dinner shed light on growing Islamophobia in our country and the participation of elected officials in this frightening trend.
ICNA was established in 1968, and through ICNA Relief we have launched numerous projects to assist struggling
populations in the United States. Our social services include hunger prevention, disaster response and relief, women’s housing and family counseling, as well as emergency financial aid and funeral/burial assistance. We have teamed with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the American Red Cross, NECHAMA and other relief agencies and consistently work to bring aid to those in need. Our annual dinner last week in Yorba Linda was a means to further our local efforts and raise funds to fight homelessness and abuse.
As American Muslims, we have witnessed a rise in Islamophobia and its devastating repercussions across the nation, with mosques and homes being vandalized, Muslims being physically attacked, and the American Muslim community being
subjected to Congressional hearings a la McCarthy—blatant acts of hate rooted in anti-Islamic sentiment. Islamophobia has undermined the values binding us together as Americans—freedom, liberty, justice and equality. From Temecula to Murfreesboro to New York City, the manifestation of this fear has become increasingly apparent. MORE
CAIR-LA Releases Video: Hate Comes to Orange County (Must Watch)
(ANAHEIM, CA, 3/2/11) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today released a video of a rally organized by anti-Muslim bigots to protest a February fundraising event held by an American Muslim relief group for relief work and charity in the U.S.
A few hundred protesters showed up to the rally, which was sponsored by groups such as: “We Surround Them OC 912? (a local Tea Party group), Rabbi David Eliezrie of Chabad — Yorba Linda, North Orange County Conservative Coalition, ACT! for America, and Pamela Geller (whose group “Stop the Islamization of America” has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center).
Elected officials Congressmen Ed Royce and Gary Miller, and Villa Park Councilwoman Deborah Pauly also attended and spoke at the protest rally.
The event — held at Yorba Linda Community Center, a facility that has been frequented by Muslim families and businesses over the years — first became a target of anti-Muslim bigots over two of the fundraiser’s speakers, who were to speak on the importance of charity in Islam. Initial attempts of some groups to have the Yorba Linda Community Center and the Yorba Linda City Council cancel the fundraising event failed, followed by the protest.
In a statement, CAIR-LA said:
“We support the First Amendment right of protestors anywhere in America to voice their concerns, dissent, and even hatred. However, when our nation’s foundational values of inclusiveness, pluralism and equality are attacked by some in favor of calls for advocating hate and violence, then all Americans have a responsibility to challenge and expose such bigotry and those who enable it.
“As the video shows, the rhetoric of the protesters became increasingly venomous toward the families and children who came to attend the ICNA fundraising dinner. Protesters shouted invective statements such as “Go home terrorist,” “Muhammad is a pervert, Muhammad is a child molester,” “Go home and beat your wife, she needs a good beating” at the event-goers.
“Even more disturbing was the participation and encouragement of elected officials in promoting the hateful protest rally. Villa Park Councilwoman, Deborah Pauly, while addressing the crowd at the rally, appeared to threaten Muslim event-goers. Congressman Ed Royce (R-40), in a troubling trend of disparaging Islam and its followers, added fuel to the fire by encouraging protesters to continue on with their hate-mongering. The attendance of Congressman Gary Miller (R-42) was a clear surprise, since he previously has engaged with all constituents, including Muslims, toward a better America.
“We strongly urge all elected officials in attendance to distance themselves from such an exhibition of hate and bigotry. We further ask residents and elected officials of Yorba Linda, Orange County and other parts of our nation to speak out against such hateful rhetoric and the continued Islamophobia that plagues our nation.”
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.
disgusting neocon flag desecration for children
Go out of your way to befriend Muslims.
Learn about them, learn from them.
That flag means mutual respect.
The truth destroys Neocons.
signed, US Navy veterans
I like your comment. And I love the USA. I’m a Muslim living here since 1yr. old. I hated Islam as a youth(all religions really)-until I was fortunate to learn about it. Study it….im not here to defend Islam. That was my choice. But this rally scared me. Really! The comments were hateful. And defending them, is like me defending some terrorist who killed innocent ppl. I’m very shocked at my country today;moreso at politicians that KNOW this is what the Nazi’s did. And to think Jews would join this is also insulting. We should be marching together. Not shouting insults. These ppl. cant unite in love. So? they use hate. and if they do it 1x, and it works. they”ll keep doing what works. No ALL Americans MUST renounce this event as terrifying, hate protests. I will look into Abdel Malik. BUt if he was the problem-why didnt they make THAT the object of their protest.
peace/salam/shalom/paz
Very unfortunate language and I am sure a disturbing experience for gentle women and innocent children.
Unfortunately CAIR misrepresents its purpose routinely. This ostensibly charitable event promoted two known terror supporters as their keynote speakers. One was Abdel Malik Ali, a supporter of Hamas that demands Israel be eradicated and Jews killed all over the world. Watch him https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8OJvR7hAT8 Joining him was Siraj Wahaj, an unindicted co conspirator in the first World Trade Center bombing.
Many protesters at this event were not part of the group screaming insults as depicted by this misleading video. In fact, many respectful people were there to protest the hatred espoused by the keynote speakers. I hope that patriotic loyal American Muslims will reject their hateful teachings.
the vile muslim must be removed from America. God Bless America!
Well, I think it is awesome that Americans are standing up to the Muslim invaders. Here we send our sons and daughters to fight for their ( Muslim) freedoms and prosperity while our sons and daughters come back disfigured or worse dead. Trillions of our dollars being spent on heathens and you expect Americans to idly stand by and greet you with smiles on their faces. Your invasion efforts will be thwarted.
Muslims should realize that Americans will never embrace your ways. You will be stopped. If you want to practice your faith, go back to your own countries of origin. We do not want Muslims in America.
What a bold statement of ignorance. To even entertain such a thought constitutes a share lack of understanding or wisdom. For your information, a good number of Muslims want to practice their faith in their own countries of origin which is in fact the USA. I will assume this country is not even your country of origin, is it? Be a true citizen you claim you are and respect the culture and diversity of this country. Just like Jews, Christians and other faiths, Muslims are going to be a part of America, whether you like it or not. Educate yourself before making silly statements like that. It’s a shame we have people like you that think this way. It’s a shame. “We do not want Muslims in America”… NONSENSE! Have some dignity.