OOTDnews: 05/11/11

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

EDITORIAL: Obama’s Islamist partners in Egypt

Muslim Brotherhood denounced killing of bin Laden

The Washington Times

Illustration: Enabling Muslim Brotherhood by Alexander Hunter for The Washington Times

The Obama administration has been talking up the Muslim Brotherhood as a necessary part of Egypt’s future. The brothers, however, are denouncing the U.S. takedown of Osama bin Laden, so the White House might want to find some better friends.

Weekend violence in Egypt between Muslims and Coptic Christians left at least a dozen dead and highlighted the growing sectarian tensions. The killings are being attributed to Salafist fundamentalists who abhor the fact that 5 percent to 10 percent of Egypt’s population is made up of Christians. They would just as soon reduce that total to zero. But Salafi tribal chiefs distanced themselves from the violence, and it was also denounced by the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, which publicly preaches peaceful change.

The Obama administration sees the brothers as a moderate Muslim alternative to the Salafists, and back in February, the White House said the next government in Cairo “has to include a whole host of important nonsecular actors that give Egypt a strong chance to continue to be [a] stable and reliable partner.” The Muslim Brotherhood took Washington’s signal and last month announced the formation of the “Freedom and Justice Party,” which its leader Mahmoud Mosri pledged is “not a religious party, not a theocratic party.” Propaganda aside, the notion that the Muslim Brotherhood is not going to actively promote Islamist policies is absurd. Party spokesman Essam al-Erian explained, “When we talk about the slogans of the revolution - freedom, social justice, equality - all of these are in the Shariah. This revolution called for what the Islamic Shariah calls for.”

The Muslim Brotherhood also tarnished its “moderate” image last week when it denounced the “assassination” of Osama bin Laden. In a statement following bin Laden’s demise, the group hailed resistance against “foreign occupation,” which they called “the legitimate right guaranteed by divine laws and international agreements,” and demanded the United States “stop its intelligence operations against those who differ with it, and cease its interference in the internal affairs of any Arab or Muslim country.” Mr. al-Erian advised that with bin Laden’s death, “it is time for Obama to pull out of Afghanistan and Iraq and end the occupation of U.S. and Western forces around the world that have for so long harmed Muslim countries.”

On Monday, the Middle East Media Research Institute released a translation of an article posted on the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood website written by Egyptian cleric Dr. Salah Al-Din Sultan. The article lauds bin Laden raising “the banner of jihad for the sake of Allah” as being “in the defense of Islam and the resistance against the occupiers, [even if it was waged] in a way that deviated to some extent from the middle path of moderation.” On the other hand, he writes, “the terrorism of the U.S. is in defense of hegemony, oppression and tyranny and [aimed at] subjugating the peoples and regimes of the world to American [uni-]polarity.” In any case, Mr. Sultan claimed, “bin Laden’s terrorism is [merely] alleged, since the accusations against him came from the media rather than from a court, whereas there is no doubt as to the terrorism of the U.S.” If these are the moderates, imagine the views of the extremists.

The Obama administration’s critical blind spot in dealing with the Middle East is failing to recognize the threat posed by all forms of Islamic extremism, whether violent or not. The White House denounces al Qaeda’s “perverted” views on Islam, yet groups like the Muslim Brotherhood advocate exactly the same thing. Apparently, Mr. Obama doesn’t think it’s a problem if they achieve Shariah by the ballot instead of the bullet. An electoral victory by the Muslim Brotherhood will herald the death of freedom in Egypt.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/may/9/obamas-islamist-partners-in-egypt/

Upside-down American flag at Manalapan center draws protesters

Turkish Center Flag Controversy (510/11): Flags are removed from the front of the Turkish American Community Center in Manalapan after the American Flag is found flying upside-down. VIDEO COURTESY OF NEWWritten by

Alesha Williams Boyd | Staff Writer

An American flag was incorrectly hung upside-down at a Turkish American center in Manalapan, drawing dozens of protesters. / COURTESY OF BETTY BAILEY

MANALAPAN — More than 20 people, some carrying American flags, showed up at the Turkish American Community Center Tuesday to protest that an American flag had been hung upside down in front of the site.

The flag hung upturned next to flags of Northern Cyprus and Turkey, a largely Muslim nation – an insult to America, protesters said. Center President Mehmet Reyhan said he did not know who had incorrectly hung the flag; he only learned of it when a member notified him of protesters outside the Route 33 building this morning.

“Livid – I was livid that (someone) desecrated our flag and hung it upside down,” said Betty Bailey, a Millstone farm owner who helped organize the protest.

“You need people out there to watch these things going on, because we can’t just stand by and let our country be put down…I just think people are getting lax about (patriotism and vigilance),” Bailey said. “We’re standing up for our country.”

The reason the flag had been hung upside down – and by whom – remains unclear: Some questioned whether recent headlines about the killing of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden triggered it, or whether it had simply been an incident of vandalism or an accident.

Protesters said they believed the flag had been hung outside the site since Sunday night or Monday morning. They said the flag also had been tattered and incorrectly displayed in relation to the other two flags.
Reyhan said he didn’t believe a center member would have turned the flag upside-down. Two current members have to vouch for new members in order for them to join, he said, “and I don’t think any of our members would do anything like that.”

“I think every nation is very proud of their flag; if someone puts it upside-down, I look at it as an insult to the nation,” Reyhan said. “We are Americans. We love this country. We are here for 25 years and those flags are always flying in the correct way. This is the first time I have seen something like this.”

According to federal statute, the American flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of distress. The flag has beenflown upside down as a form of protest in the United States, according to published reports.

Reyhan said he reported the incident to township police and the Turkish consulate. He said he had all the flags taken down Tuesday morning because he’s afraid they could be rearranged again and cause problems for the center.
Bailey said she still had concerns.

“It was in front of their building and I really think if it’s your building, you should really kind of notice that the flag was hanging wrong,” Bailey said. “People have to start taking a stand, so we did. Hopefully, it won’t happen again.”

Reyhan said the center, in the township for 25 years, serves as a celebration hall for Turkish, American and Muslim religious holidays. He said the center also hosts Turkish language classes for youths and provides networking, employment assistance, transportation and translation services for Turkish immigrants.

The center has about 350 members from as far as New York and Pennsylvania, but with many in Monmouth County from Manalapan, Englishtown and the surrounding area, Reyhan said. None reported noticing the flag, he said.

As for bin Laden, Reyhan said Turkey, too, has been living with the horrors of terrorist groups, “So we don’t want any terrorists in this world. We want nothing to do with them.”

http://www.app.com/article/20110510/NJNEWS10/305100057/Upside-down-American-flag-Manalapan-center-draws-protesters

Judge decides Muslim cap is religious

MCDONOUGH, Ga., May 10 (UPI) -- A Georgia judge who kept a Muslim man out of a courtroom three times for insisting on wearing a cap as a religious sign of humility has changed his mind.

Henry County Judge James Chafin said in an order that he discovered by doing his own research that Troy "Tariq" Montgomery has valid reasons to wear the kufi, a tight-fitting cap similar to the Jewish yarmulke, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Monday. Montgomery is trying to challenge a speeding ticket and has a new court date next week.

"The court finds through its own research that there is a basis in the Koran for both men and women to cover their heads as a religious observance," Chafin wrote.

"Accordingly, the court will permit the defendant to wear his hat in the courtroom as a valid religious observance."

Georgia adopted a policy in 2009 of allowing religious headgear to be worn in government buildings after a Muslim woman was arrested for refusing to remove her hijab or headscarf in a courtroom. Chafin had demanded Montgomery or his lawyer show proof the kufi is a religious item.

Montgomery, 46, said in a statement issued by his attorney he hopes no one else has to defend wearing Islamic attire in court.

"I also want to make it clear that I do not just wear a 'hat' as the judge referred to in his order, but a kufi, which is a religious head covering worn for the purpose of identifying my religious affiliation," he said.