A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Completing the Mosque
After denials of Boston's controversial mega-mosque being used for radical teaching, the mask has come off.
If you build it, the radicals will come. Or, shall we say, once it’s built, there’s no way to keep the radicals away.
Would it be churlish at this point to say I told you so? I’m talking about the $20 million Boston mega-mosque, built on discounted city land with massive funding from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf sources.
Scandal has plagued the project from the beginning. Two years ago I recounted the saga in a lengthy piece here at Pajamas Media called “The Silencing.” At the time, the mosque builders were suing a laundry list of individuals, media outlets, and activist groups — basically anyone who had the bad taste to point out and call into question the unsavory nature of many of the Islamic Society of Boston’s (ISB) connections to radicals and the unseemliness of the land deal. It was a strategic suit intended to stop public scrutiny and criticism, as one email exposed during the discovery process revealed.
The strategy was largely effective, as defendants were quickly advised by counsel to remain silent. Even after the suit was dropped, what scant media coverage there was tended to focus on generic issues regarding the land deal, while continuing concerns regarding radical influence on the new mosque went, and continue to go, largely unexamined in mainstream outlets.
It should come as no surprise that the mainstream media’s reluctance to report has been no indicator of there being nothing left to report on, but with no questions even being asked, the Muslim American Society (MAS — the Muslim group now running the mosque) hasn’t even had the inconvenience of needing to come up with excuses.
That wasn’t always the case. In the early days of the project, pre-lawsuit, the ISB was keen to answer its critics. After all, at that time the structure was little more than a hole in the ground, the funding was trickling in, and the ISB officials responsible could still have been replaced if city fathers had started asking the difficult questions and demanding serious answers. In short, the entire project was still vulnerable to public exposure and a Muslim Brotherhood foothold in America hung in the balance.
It would take another 5,000-word essay to begin to recount all of the excuses they offered at the time, but let’s focus on one particularly problematic association they’d rather not have us notice: the mosque’s association with arch-Islamist Yusuf al-Qaradawi.
From the pulpit on his popular al-Jazeera television program and as purported spiritual guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, the octogenarian Qaradawi has expounded the nuances of Islamic doctrine to enthralled millions. Whether it’s the permissibility of blowing up American troops in Iraq (he’s fer it) or killing people on buses in Israel (also fer it), to the dangers of female masturbation (he’s agin’ it, as it may lead to accusations of fornication, which may result in relatives wanting to kill her, which is unjust; at most she should be flogged), to the appropriate punishment for homosexuality (perhaps either casting them from a tall building or burning; there is disagreement on this), the old sheik has an answer for everything and millions look to follow his lead. He is undeniably a very important person in the Islamic popular consciousness.
He has, by the way, gone from holding the Jews of today responsible for the death of Jesus (like we’ve never heard that one before) to more recently proclaiming that the Holocaust was God’s punishment upon the Jews — not that there was much of a Holocaust, mind you, but to the extent that there was, by gum, next time, Allah willing, it will be done at the hand of the Muslims. Nice fella.
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Martin Solomon writes on a variety of topics at his blog Solomonia. He is a member of the advisory boards of Christians and Jews United for Israel and Americans for Peace and Tolerance.
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30 Comments
1. Meryl:But isn’t this whole situation covered by “the emperor has no clothes”?
Even after everyone knows about the lump in the rug, nobody will acknowledge noticing when somebody falls flat on their face.
The islamists have the PC public/media/legal system right where they want them. The murder (literal or rhetorical) can be committed in public, blood on the murderer’s hands, corpse right there on the street corner–and the people who were waiting for the light didn’t see a thing.
So what difference will it make?
Mar 31, 2009 - 4:26 am 2. Juke:No matter what they do our government will protect them, not Americans.
Political correctness rules this country, not the people.
Mar 31, 2009 - 5:13 am 3. Chuck Pelto:TO: Martin Solomon, et al.
RE: Good Advice v. Better Advice
“At the time, the mosque builders were suing a laundry list of individuals, media outlets, and activist groups — basically anyone who had the bad taste to point out and call into question the unsavory nature of many of the Islamic Society of Boston’s (ISB) connections to radicals and the unseemliness of the land deal….
The strategy was largely effective, as defendants were quickly advised by counsel to remain silent.” — Martin Solomon
Good advice from attorneys who have no gonads in the first place.
Better advice would have been to couch ALL statements of ‘doubt’ or ‘concern’ in the phrase, “It is my considered and honestly held opinion…..,” backed up with copies of every time and place you said such and especially any evidence you could offer up to support said statements.
Something I learned from dealing with government and corporate bureaucracies.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
P.S. Get an iPod to capture conversations. Especially if you live in a one-party awareness states.
If you live in an ALL-party awareness state…..get the idiot government to change the law…..
Mar 31, 2009 - 5:39 am 4. seven:A loud call to prayer? Why will that be allowed?
Mar 31, 2009 - 6:51 am 5. tommyd:Whats the problem. Everyone knows Islam is the Religion of Peace.
Mar 31, 2009 - 7:34 am 6. riccardo:I just don’t understand…
Why a mega mosque? Why so many muslim in America?In Europe is quite different.They cross the few nautical miles of the strait of Sicily by wreck boats and in spite of all odds we try to repatriate them.But to get America is quite a different thing, there is a huge ocean in the middle,too huge to navigate! So the only logical explanation is that someone calls them,accepts them and may be gives them some pratical lesson to become pilots.How long will last? Riccardo Italy
Mar 31, 2009 - 8:00 am 7. Larsen E Whipsnade:#6 Riccardo asked:
“Why so many muslim in America?”
They came over from Africa hundreds of years ago. Our fore-fathers brought them here. They slowly rediscover their roots in prison.
Mar 31, 2009 - 9:44 am 8. Fragmentarian:What a war! Can anyone imagine, allowing Nazi Recruitment Centers during WWII? Barbarian Friendship Centers in Rome? What are the odds of opening really large Crusade Centers in Mohammedan capitols? Jihad baby!
Mar 31, 2009 - 10:45 am 9. Mary Madigan:This jihadi outpost really isn’t the equivalent of any religious institution, it’s the equivalent of an outpost of the Kremlin, staffed by the KGB, built with the cooperation of the Boston city government during the middle of the cold war.
If we were allied with the Russians in the same way we’re allied with the Gulf Wahhabis, would we have won the cold war?
Mar 31, 2009 - 11:21 am 10. Omar:Hello I would like to invite you to visit our website : http://www.ikhwanweb.com/
IKhwanweb is the Muslim Brotherhood”s only official English web site. The Main office is located in London, although Ikhwanweb has correspondents in most countries. Our staff is exclusively made of volunteers and stretched over the five continents.
The Muslim Brotherhood opinions and views can be found under the sections of MB statements and MB opinions, in addition to the Editorial Message.
Items posted under “other views” are usually different from these of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Ikhwanweb does not censor any articles or comments but has the right only to remove any inappropriate words that defy public taste
Ikhwanweb is not a news website, although we report news that matter to the Muslim Brotherhood”s cause. Our main misson is to present the Muslim Brotherhood vision right from the source and rebut misonceptions about the movement in western societies. We value debate on the issues and we welcome constructive criticism.
to help inform you about your subject matter,questions
If you have any addition questions you can email us at :
Mar 31, 2009 - 11:29 am 11. Laura:omarmorsy51@yahoo.com
#10 This is an April Fool’s joke, right?
Mar 31, 2009 - 12:29 pm 12. karlstro1:Stories like this always reminds me of the film The War of Independence. In one scene there was all these do gooders, hippies, and feel good people running to the top of a skyscraper to wave, welcome, and throw out peace signs to the invaders. In one brief second they were blasted from the face of the Earth! When news writers fail in their duty to investigate and write news without bias our great country will fail to remain strong to face evil.
Mar 31, 2009 - 12:45 pm 13. JP49:Why are our politicians not being held accountable for letting these people come in, silence us and take over our society. I want heads to roll. As a lifelong democrat up until the primaries, I couldn’t vote for a democrat if my life depended on it. I see why America is gong down the toilet now. Take a good look at France and Britian, Holland, anywhere Muslims go they take over and silence the people of the host country.
Mar 31, 2009 - 12:47 pm 14. JP49:As I thought about my last posting, the word “host” stood out. Muslims are like parasites on a decaying carcass. Without the need to believe in God, America is sliding into a society where anything goes, ripe for the picking.
Mar 31, 2009 - 12:50 pm 15. Winston Churchill:Omar,
How many wives do you have? Did you manage to get them all on welfare? Do you make them wear the hajib to cover their bruises? How many are your first cousin? Would you kill your daughter for dating a kaffir? Would you stone a wife for suspected adultery? Ever had sex with a domesticated animal or young boy? Inquiring minds want to know!
I see that your site is all about violent retribution for perceived victimhood. You can’t have it both ways, dude. Live by the golden rule like every other religion.
Mar 31, 2009 - 12:55 pm 16. Leatherneck:#11,
LMAOROTF!
OK, as long as the da’wa reminds everyone that Allah is a false moon god, and Mohamed enjoyed murder and rape. That is very important information. Just Google it.
Know your enemy, and check that Mosque for weapons and hate speech.
Mar 31, 2009 - 1:32 pm 17. Brita:Winston Churchill #15: Muslims do live by the Golden Rule. They rule and they’ll have the gold too, thanks very much.
Seriously, whenever I see a mosque in a western city I feel sick. If anything is a symbol of oppression of free will and a slavish adherence to a violent tribal ethic long gone, it is those domes and minarets. And yes, they do attract the evil and the dangerous likes flowers attract bees.
But here’s my suggestion: for every mosque built in the west how about there’s a cathedral or church founded in the east? Surely the ‘religion of peace’ would be happy to encourage a choice of spirituality in their homelands, right?
No, I didn’t think so either.
Mar 31, 2009 - 1:40 pm 18. Rick Tack:karlstro1: the film is called Independence Day
Mar 31, 2009 - 1:57 pm 19. Moogie:#13JP49:
1. The politicians are not held accountable because they are above the law. Gee, I thought everyone knew that by now.
2. “Host” is actually a very good word choice, as in “the pods infiltrated the host body and destroyed it.”
Mar 31, 2009 - 2:29 pm 20. knsc:I have been outraged for a long time!!! The so-called “religion of peace” website and others that call for jihad are “wolves in sheeps clothing”!!!!!!! Have they looked up the word peace in the dictionary? I dont think so!!!! They are the great satan our almighty LORD in heaven warns us about. One day soon people will see that Christ will set us free, those that want PEACE and HOLINESS! God gave us Christ for our salvation, and we have the choice to take it or burn in hell!!!! Muslim Brotherhood,aka,lucifer;satan or devils are in the millions in our nation alone. Christ is so perfect in love and peace that as he hung on the cross He said, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do!” Holy God in Heaven asks us (Believers in God, The Father, and The Holy Spirit) to be merciful to these liars and brainwashers!!!! Its hard to do but, as in my belief, its what he wants me to do!!! They are thugs and they surround us. I’m not afraid either! I’m a woman. I bet they would love to saw my head off. I AM NOT AFRAID!!! I have Christ on my side! They have for sure taken over. they own every gas station, hotels, taxis, some are doctors, lawyers, in our government!!!! It makes me sick too, #17, you said it. They need to build a big cathedral next door to this mosque in Boston. Our founding fathers of this great country of USA made it a country under GOD, and no matter what they do and how many they multiply in this country, they will never ever, ever, ever, take this from us. We have shown over and over that we are resiliant and we will go down fighting to keep our country the way it was found. Americans u need to wake up!!!! Stop being so ignorant!!! Read the Holy Bible. You would be astonished, if you don’t already know at the wisdom and knowledge he gives you. He is so loving….White as snow…Pure…Prince of Peace! I say to them, Bring it on, Lets Roll!!!!
Mar 31, 2009 - 8:09 pm 21. myth buster:Wait, Muslims are blaming Jews for the death of Christ? I thought the official Islamic position on Jesus’ crucifixion was that He didn’t die, but rather, Judas was crucified in His place.
Mar 31, 2009 - 9:24 pm 22. C.C.H.:This nonsense of willfully ignoring volatile groups (of all stripes) bent on destroying Western culture is only tolerated because everyone seems to acccept it. Make your alderman, congressman, mayor or senator accountable for speaking against this sh*t by making campaign funding contingent upon a public stand against it, and it will dissappear.
Mar 31, 2009 - 9:48 pm 23. PNUT:Tear that Mosque down, Islam has no place in a civilized nation. It’s not a religion ,it’s an Arab supremacist system used to enslave women,nonbelievers,and other minorities .Islam does not deserve the respect that it is given as a” religion”, it’s a barbaric,totalitarian ideology disguised as a “religion”. Nothing more than a cult. Just because there is a ‘God” mentioned ,people in the US are too scared to criticize something that deserves criticism and to be abolished. Islam is an enemy of humanity, an enemy of justice,peace,and liberty.
Mar 31, 2009 - 11:21 pm 24. PNUT:KNSC.
You sound just like the Muslims. Substitute the word “God” in your post for ‘Allah”.
Mar 31, 2009 - 11:29 pm 25. PatriotUSA:People believing in myths and fairytales is the problem. Your God and theirs are both false. enjoy your life and behave yourself, you don’t need to believe in absurdities to be a good person. Free your mind.
Take a look at a picture of the Universe. Then take a deep breath. After seeing that, do you really think that anything that could create that, gives a damn what you do or that you even exist ? Fat chance.
#10 omar:
So do you also work for cair,msu, masa, and other stealth and not so stealth jihad organizations? You and your website will not fool many of us, omar. Most of the garbage there is whitewashed BS, and yes I have studied the website. More muslim apologist doublespeak.
ANY criticism or protesting of islam or muslims is immediatelt attacked by lawsiuts, cries of the poor muslims and islam being the wretched victims, being misunderstood and FORCING the US to change and adoopt to islam, and in turn muslims. islam uses intimidation, mass violent protests and our own laws against us, and other free countries of the world.
riccardo wrote:
Why a mega mosque? Why so many muslim in America?In Europe is quite different.
muslims mosques have to be the biggest, loudest and most obnoxious “‘religious”(not really, it is a totalitarian ideaology) buildings around so they can tower over any other churches, temples etc. nearby. muslims protest the wonderful ringing of church bells but then demand their perverted call to prayer to played as loud as possible, five times a day. Most mosques have at the very least, some level of radical teaching going on inside. Any new mosque, no matter where it is being built needs to protested and fought against the same way islam fights against our freedom and liberty in this country and many others. islam is a violent, brutal ideaology that tolerates no free or individual thinking, or freedoms. It is all islam, convert, live under islam and pay the poll tax(dhimmi lifestyle and jihad can still be waged upon those who try and live under islam like this), or be put to death.
Why so many muslim in America?
Simple, we have let too many immigate into the USA and now look at the problems that are stemming from islam. Kick them out, once and for all. islam and most muslims will never assimilate into the US culture and society. This is proven every day, and not here in the U.S.The only golden rule islam lives by is one that is blood stained and washed in the deaths of millions of innocent people.
Mar 31, 2009 - 11:56 pm 26. LynnS:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC8BeHFjNPc
Why, that looks like a giant….
Johnson! Get back to work!
Why do I feel such despair. As if we are screwed.
Apr 1, 2009 - 5:26 am 27. LynnS:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTADmwvNlAM&feature=related
While watching the erection of the giant….
Johnson! Your fired!
I noticed that as the tip was being placed atop the shaft the American Flag was upside down. That is exactly how I feel about the world right now.
Allah Akbar! Allah is Greater.
Greater than what? God?
Apr 1, 2009 - 6:58 am 28. William:There is not a single Muslim in the world that I trust. They are all deceitful, lying, subversive members of a murderous death cult. If you are a Jew and you defend their ‘rights’, you are a fool.
Apr 1, 2009 - 8:17 am 29. knsc:PNUT
Read other comments: aka#28 for instance.
There is a huge,vast,enormous difference in islam and christianty. DO NOT compare my God to theirs!!! Where did you come from a dinosaur or an alien? You are not to judge me, either. I could care less what you believe in!!!!!!!
Apr 1, 2009 - 8:04 pm 30. harv:lightning will strike it. GOD dont like ugly!
Apr 2, 2009 - 5:40 pm