Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| CAIR: NEW JERSEY CANDIDATE STANDS BY MUSLIMS |
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| *sofia* |
| 07/20/01 at 13:50:33 |
| In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful CAIR ACTION ALERT #303 NEW JERSEY CANDIDATE STANDS BY MUSLIMS Despite pressure, Schundler refuses to reject Muslim community (WASHINGTON, DC - 7/20/2001) - CAIR is calling on Muslims in New Jersey and nationwide to express their support for a gubernatorial candidate's refusal to disassociate himself from that state's Muslim community, despite pressure to do so. (NOTE - Because CAIR is a tax-exempt organization, it cannot endorse specific political candidates.) Since June, New Jersey Republican candidate Bret Schundler has come under fire for speaking at a meeting of the American Muslim Alliance (AMA). The New Jersey chapter of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), told the New Jersey Star- Ledger that it found Schundler's attendance at the AMA meeting "troubling" because of unspecified statements challenging policies of the state of Israel made by group leaders. The newspaper quoted Schundler as saying that he would be caving in to anti-Muslim bigotry if he shunned AMA representatives. At that time, national Muslim groups issued a joint statement condemning the ADL's "anti-Muslim McCarthyism." SEE: http://www.njo.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/elections/ledger/137a647.html The latest flare-up began about a week ago when the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Jim McGreevey, met with local Jewish leaders and gave them two newspaper articles about Schundler's meeting with the AMA. McGreevey's spokesman said that the leaders were offered the clippings to show that Schundler was "outside the mainstream." The McGreevey campaign backed up its charges against the AMA by distributing materials produced by Steven Emerson, an infamous Muslim-basher who accused Muslims of perpetrating the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. The New Jersey chapter of the ADL once again supported criticism of the AMA. SEE: http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/elections/ledger/13e02db.html http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/elections/ledger/13dcfb3.html http://www.fair.org/extra/9901/emerson.html In response to McGreevey's accusations, Schundler said his opponent was attempting to divide voters and said one of his own goals was to meet with all religious and ethnic groups. The New York Times quoted Schundler as saying he "will not apologize for holding a dialogue with its [AMA] members to discuss his vision for New Jersey's future." Schundler accused McGreevey of being hypocritical and revealed that his opponent spoke at a leadership conference of the AMA's New Jersey chapter. McGreevey also sponsored a resolution in the New Jersey State Legislature praising the AMA for its efforts to educate Muslim Americans about the American political process. SEE: http://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/20/nyregion/20JERS.html "By using tactics of political exclusion, the pro-Israel lobby is demonstrating its alarm at the increased presence of Muslims in America's political process. These campaigns of vilification must end," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. The attack on Schundler and on the AMA is similar to one (also involving Steven Emerson) that came during last year's New York Senate race between Rick Lazio and Hillary Clinton. A Washington Post writer called those attacks "political pornography." Lazio lost the election to Clinton. ACTION REQUESTED: (As always, be FIRM, but POLITE. Hostile comments will reflect negatively on the Muslim community and Islam.) 1) Contact Bret Schundler to express support for his courageous stand. Mr. Bret Schundler 395 Pleasant Valley Way West Orange, NJ 07052 TEL: 973-325-9700 FAX: 973-325-2239 E-MAIL: info@bret2001.com COPY TO: cair1@ix.netcom.com URL: http://www.bret2001.com 2) Contact Jim McGreevey to express your concerns about his Islamophobic actions and about his association with known Muslim-bashers like Steven Emerson. Mr. Jim McGreevey 90 Woodbridge Center Drive Woodbridge, NJ 07095 TEL: 732-404-0477 FAX: 732-404-0478 E-Mail: jim@mcgreevey2001.org COPY TO: cair1@ix.netcom.com URL: http://www.mcgreevey2001.com/ 3) Offer support to Islamic organizations that endorse candidates who defend Muslim interests. |
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