Neocon Pundits Malign American Muslims by Louay M. Safi is another piece from the alt.muslim site. It points to some disturbing criticisms coming from certain individuals and organizations against Muslim organizations. What is really disturbing is that the Muslim organizations which are the targets of these accusations are the tamest and most mainstream (some of them even endorsed Bush in the 2000 presidential election). The accusation which really frustrated was me was one which came out a while ago against Tablighi Jamaat. They are literally the largest Muslim organization/movement of Muslims in the world and the members I've met are some of the gentlest people I know. The Muslim turnout to their annual convention is bigger than Hajj (the required pilgrimage to Mecca). Imagine... a Muslim "Mecca" which isn't Mecca! (If that is hard to believe, just consider the fact that the group started in Southeast Asia, a large percentage of their members are based there, and the convention takes place there.) But if a group as mild and as apolitical as Tablighi Jamaat should be under suspicion as some kind of terrorist sanctuary, then the US may as well lock up all the Muslims in concentration camps right now and make us wear green crescents on our arm when we go out in public. (If anyone from the government is reading this, that was an example of hyperbole.)
But when the Islamophobes accuse even the mildest Islamic groups of terrorist associations, then the implication is that all Muslims are suspect.
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