9/14/13 Egyptian Christian, Who Is Son of Coptic Leader, to Lead Muslim Brotherhood Party in Egypt?

Source: The Christian Post

Excerpt from article:

Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, author of A Battle for the Soul of Islam: An American Muslim Patriot’s Fight to Save His Faith and president of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD), told CP in a Tuesday interview, “I don’t even know how to explain it – how a Christian would be helping advance the implementation of the Islamic state under Sharia…he would not be able to make laws.”

Jasser, a Syrian-American who is vice chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, attempted to explain Rafiq’s support for the Muslim Brotherhood by referring to Syria. “Many Christians worked for Assad even though they weren’t pro-Baathist,” he said.

“But the Muslim Brotherhood’s motto is directly in conflict with being a Christian,” Jasser argued. The motto is: “Allah is our objective. The Prophet is our leader. The Qur’an is our law. Jihad is our way. Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope. Allahu akbar!”

“There’s no way a non-Muslim would ever believe that would be the motto of their state,” Jasser said. He speculated that there must be some larger goal Rafiq is trying to accomplish by “compromising himself to work with Islamists.”

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09/25/13 Kenyan attack reminds us of the need for vigilance against the threat of Islamist radicalism

MEDIA CONTACTS:         Gregg Edgar

Gordon C. James Public Relations

gedgar@gcjpr.com

602-690-7977

 

Kenyan attack reminds us of the need for vigilance against the threat of Islamist radicalism

Reported presence of American jihadist involvement clearly demonstrates the threat of radicalization

 PHOENIX (September 25, 2013) – Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, author of “A Battle for the Soul of Islam: An American Muslim Patriot’s Fight to Save His Faith” released the following statement on behalf of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD) regarding the recent attacks in Kenya and the revelation that Somali-American’s perpetrated this heinous crime.

“The recent terror attacks in Kenya thought to be committed by the Somali terror group Al-Shabaab are a stark reminder that not only is the battle against terrorism and Al Qaeda affiliates as dangerous as ever but homegrown Islamist radicals right here in the US can wreak havoc upon Americans and our allies both at home and abroad.

Only a few days after the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) disseminated its so-called report on “Islamophobia” where they falsely and malignantly listed our Muslim group as “anti-Muslim”, the fact that American Muslims from Minnesota and Missouri have been identified among the militant Islamists responsible should be a clear reminder of how groups like CAIR both conceal and often facilitate the radicalization of American Muslims in the United States. Representatives of CAIR, like Dawud Walid from their Michigan chapter are on record repeatedly when discussing al-Shabaab to American Muslims telling American Muslim youth for example that “9 out of 10 times the person trying to influence you over the internet is not even real…it’s someone with the government trying to set you up.” He even casts doubt on whether Al-Shabaab is a terrorist organization. Yet when courageous American Muslims do speak out about radicalization in some mosques and among American Muslim groups, CAIR calls them “anti-Muslim”.

To that point, I testified to the House Committee on Homeland Security in March 2011 on American Muslim radicalization. I was proud to be joined by Abdirizak Bihi, a courageous American Muslim of Somali origin whose important testimony highlighted exactly the threat we again sadly realized this weekend. As he testified back in 2011, his work with other reform minded American Muslim Somali organizations constantly strove to prevent the disappearance of Somali youth to the jihad in Somalia.

When Minnesotans learned of Minnesota Muslims missing in Somalia, he was targeted by CAIR who joined some local Imams in telling Muslims to remain silent and not rush to work with the FBI on cases of missing American Somalis. He called out Imams and Islamic centers which glorified the Al-Shabaab and the jihad in Somalia. In exchange for that tough love to Minnesota Muslims, groups like CAIR labeled him and his colleague in Minnesota Omar Jamal as “anti-Muslim”. As the perpetrators of this weekend’s terror are brought to justice, I hope and pray the American public at the same time begins to remove the false veneer of victimization from groups like CAIR. Americans are beginning to realize the deep harm which CAIR’s denials about Islamism and false attacks upon other Muslims who care about our country and faith has upon our national security.

Also important to note here is that CAIR darling and fundraiser, Cong. Keith Ellison who testified at the same hearing in March 2011 has done virtually nothing to expose the radicalization of Muslims near his district in Minnesota while working with obstructionist American Islamists like CAIR. In fact he ignored all of Abdirizak Bihi’s testimony and in fact pathetically smeared him by saying that his courageous testimony to congress was “only invited to testify because he’s willing to diss the Somali and Muslim community in Minneapolis.” One can’t help but ask today after this weekend’s horrific attacks at Westgate, who was more honest in their dedication to national security and faith Mr. Bihi or Mr. Ellison?”

About the American Islamic Forum for Democracy

The American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. AIFD’s mission advocates for the preservation of the founding principles of the United States Constitution, liberty and freedom, through the separation of mosque and state. For more information on AIFD, please visit our website at http://www.aifdemocracy.org/.

9/18/13 AIFD Now Hiring Public Engagement Coordinator/Executive Assistant

The American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD) is a nationally recognized Phoenix-based non-profit organization with a mission to advocate for the preservation of the US Constitution, liberty and freedom, through the separation of mosque and state. AIFD is seeking a motivated individual with excellent organizational skills who can assist the organization with its mission.

 Responsibilities and Duties:

  • Engage in event planning and in the coordination of a variety of activities having to do with program outreach; including public engagements wherein AIFD’s founder and president participates as the keynote speaker, a member of a panel, in project implementation, and in fundraising activities.
  • Facilitate team communications for President & CEO with stakeholders.
  • Coordinate, schedule, and maintain calendar of meetings and events; coordinate logistics and activities with event hosts. Arrange travel accommodations for AIFD staff and prepare travel and presentation materials.
  • Assist with the development and implementation of projects as instructed by President and/or Director of Operations.
  • Maintain and develop organizational documents as needed (e.g. CVs, event flyers, etc.). Compile, develop, and prepare documents that facilitate data analysis.
  • Compose, type, and proofread a variety of reports, statistical charts, agendas, and program/event documents. Also, transcribe recordings and meeting minutes.
  • Maintain, develop, and implement effective and efficient recordkeeping systems and ensure that information is logically organized, appropriately cross-referenced and accessible to users; ensure confidentiality of sensitive information which is not part of the public record.
  • Process accounts payable, payroll, and event reimbursements through QuickBooks.
  • Maintain contact information for supporters in Microsoft Outlook, Constant Contact, and MatchMaker.
  • Operate a variety of office equipment including a computer; input and retrieve data, and work with digital media as needed.
  • Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Knowledge and Skills:

Functions and operation of an administrative office and associated practices.

Maintenance of budget and financial records.

Operation and use of word processing, spreadsheet, database management and other associated office and business software.

Business letter writing and report preparation techniques and methods.

Principles and procedures of filing and record keeping.

English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation and syntax.

Internet navigation and the ability to readily find answers to questions.

Qualifications and Abilities:

Two years of experience as an administrative assistant

Excellent organization skills

Ability to maintain records and engage in database management

Excellent demeanor and customer service skills

Ability to prioritize work and the ability to quickly shift priorities

Proficiency in using Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Power Point

Proficiency with QuickBooks

Experience working with MatchMaker (donor database)

Ability to handle pressure and multi-task

Knowledge of email marketing (Constant Contact)

Knowledge of Word Press web editing

Compensation: Salary Range – $33,000-$36,000 (DOE); Benefits negotiable

Hours:  M-F 8:30 am – 5:30 pm        

Application Process:

Please email the following documents to Norma@aifdemocracy.org

Cover Letter and Resume

Handwritten essay (around two paragraphs) stating why you want to work for AIFD

At least three professional references

First review of applicants begins September 20, 2013.

 

9/11/13 U.S. weapons reaching Syrian rebels

Source: The Washington Times

The CIA has begun delivering weapons to rebels in Syria, ending months of delay in lethal aid that had been promised by the Obama administration, according to U.S. officials and Syrian figures. The shipments began streaming into the country over the past two weeks, along with separate deliveries by the State Department of vehicles and other gear — a flow of material that marks a major escalation of the U.S. role in Syria’s civil war.

The arms shipments, which are limited to light weapons and other munitions that can be tracked, began arriving in Syria at a moment of heightened tensions over threats by President Obama to order missile strikes to punish the regime of Bashar al-Assad for his alleged use of chemical weapons in a deadly attack near Damascus last month.

 

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9/23/13 Terror Group That Claimed Kenya Attack Has Recruited Americans Before

Source: ABC News

The same group that claimed responsibility for an attack on a Kenyan mall this weekend that has claimed at least 62 lives has previously recruited dozens of Americans to join their cause.

U.S. officials estimate that as many as 50 Americans have traveled to training camps in Somalia, the home of the al Qaeda-linked terror group al-Shabaab, over the last six years.

Just last month, al-Shabaab released a video showing three young men claiming to be from Minneapolis who the terror group said later died as martyrs.

“This is the best place to be honestly,” one of the men says. “I can only tell you from my experience being here, that you have the best of dreams, you eat the best of food, and you’re with the best of the brothers and sisters who came here for the sake of Allah. If you guys only knew how much fun we have over here. This is the real Disneyland, you need to come here and join us and take pleasure in this fun.”

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9/9/13 Al Qaeda’s strength with Syrian rebels now being downplayed

Source: The Wasington Times

The Obama administration has started to rebrand Syria’s rebels by de-emphasizing the number of al Qaeda fighters among them — a move critics say is based on questionable intelligence designed to downplay the risks associated with a U.S. military strike on the regime of President Bashar Assad.

After two years of the Obama administration arguing that the Syrian rebellion was rife with fighters linked to al Qaeda, Secretary of State John F. Kerry said last week that Islamic extremists are marginal players in Syria’s civil war and are unlikely to profit much from a U.S. bombing campaign.

His new characterization of the opposition has drawn scrutiny — in large part because of the way Mr. Kerry backed it up. Rather than cite official U.S. intelligence assessments, he pointed to an Aug. 30 opinion article penned for The Wall Street Journal by a 26-year-old analyst with ties to a group that lobbies in Washington on behalf of the Syrian rebels.

In hearings before Congress last week, Mr. Kerry said he generally agreed with the assessment, written by Elizabeth O’Bagy, who works at the Institute for the Study of War in Washington.

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/sep/9/obama-administration-now-downplays-al-qaedas-stren/#ixzz2ehUHe8Qq
Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter

 

9/17/13 In public shift, Israel calls for Assad’s fall

(Reuters) – Israel wants to see Syrian President Bashar al-Assad toppled, its ambassador to the United States said on Tuesday, in a shift from its non-committal public stance on its neighbor’s civil war.

Even Assad’s defeat by al Qaeda-aligned rebels would be preferable to Damascus’s current alliance with Israel’s arch-foe Iran, Ambassador Michael Oren said in an interview with the Jerusalem Post.

His comments marked a move in Israel’s public position on Syria’s two-and-1/2-year-old war.

Though old enemies, a stable stand-off has endured between the two countries during Assad’s rule and at times Israel had pursued peace talks with him in hope of divorcing Syria from Tehran and Iranian-sponsored Hezbollah guerrillas in neighboring Lebanon.

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9/11/13 Largest U.S. Muslim group shuns controversial 9/11 march

Source: Al Arabiya

The rally is “exploitative,” seeking to take advantage of the Sept. 11 attacks to “blame America for their so-called complaints of Islamophobia,” said Zuhdi Jasser, a prominent Islamic scholar and president of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, who frequently writes for theHuffington Post.

“It’s put together by groups that are proven ‘truthers’ who deny that 9/11 was committed by al-Qaeda,” and who are “profoundly anti-Semitic,” he added.

AMPAC’s hard-line ideas are “a symptom of the deeper problem of the continuous threat of radical Islam and political Islam domestically and globally in radicalizing Muslim populations,” said Jasser.

“If Muslims have grievances they want heard, pick any other day but 9/11,” which was “about America being attacked by a radical Islamist group, al-Qaeda, that continues to threaten us,” he added.

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