WASHINGTON, 28 June — FBI director Robert Mueller today speaks at the American Muslim Council’s annual convention. A smart move by the FBI. Or so one would think.
Why then is there a cacophony of criticism regarding the FBI chief’s decision to speak at the convention?
"The Bush administration has repeatedly stressed that the US war on terrorism isn’t a war on Islam... Yet in its eagerness to develop ties to the United States’ Muslim community, the White House should be careful about the company it keeps. Of specific concern is FBI Director Robert Mueller’s scheduled speech June 28 at the annual convention of the American Muslim Council (AMC) in Washington, DC," writes an editorialist this week in the Oklahoman newspaper.
According to Frank Gaffney of the conservative Center for Security Policy, the AMC has been linked to a number of militant Islamic groups. In an article for the Washington Times’ op-ed page last week, Gaffney wrote that Mueller’s AMC appearance would "legitimate" radical Muslims while alienating those who adhere to moderate teachings.
"Rather than be criticized, Mr. Mueller ought to be commended," says Abdurahman Alamoudi, co-chair of the AMC convention committee and president of the American Muslim Foundation.
FBI spokesman Bill Carter says that Mueller accepted the invitation because the bureau regards the AMC as "the most mainstream Muslim group in the United States."
There is also the recognition that the speech is attempt by the FBI to unruffle feathers: "The FBI’s decision to be a presence at the AMC conference embraces a much-needed spirit of cooperation and democratic principal in times when the Bureau has become highly suspect in the eyes of American Muslims," says Alamoudi.
Mueller’s attendance will ease "tensions between US Muslims and their government since some highly regrettable breaches of civil liberties have taken place at the expense of innocent people who increasingly feel they are being targeted for their difference from the majority."
Middle East "expert" Daniel Pipes says top AMC officials have supported the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist groups, and adds they criticized Bush when the administration closed down the Holy Land Foundation for collecting money to support Hamas.
Tough criticism against Mueller has come out in the National Review, the New York Post, and the Washington Times. Each have recently run what Alamoudi calls "misleading and sensationalistic opinion pieces that assume the US public is too ignorant of its own history to know the difference between accusations, circumstantial associations and guilt."
"It seems that a small group of politically annoying but persistent pseudo-journalists are bent on using recycled misinformation to distort public opinion on issues of critical importance in a time of national emergency," says Alamoudi.
The focus of criticism on Alamoudi, the former AMC director, is over a speech he made during a rally outside the White House in 2000: "We are all supporters of Hamas. I am also a supporter of Hezbollah."
"This sort of extremism persuaded Mr. Bush to return Mr. Alamoudi’s $1,000 contribution to his 2000 presidential campaign," said yesterday’s Washington Times editorial.
Alamoudi has cried foul. He says he has been "quoted over and over again for comments I made at a rally in 2000, in support of Palestine.
"While I explained the circumstances and meaning behind my support of Hamas (its’ humanitarian and legal military functions, and distinctly NOT its bombings of civilians) none of my opinions have been published."
Alamoudi says critics have focused on this one statement, because "none of these writers were able to find anything else to condemn me for. If I am such a dangerous character, why is there nothing else to report?"
He also expressed disappointment, saying many newspapers he approached since Sept. 11, have not been willing to publish his articles and editorials.
"We are in greater need of dialogue now, than we ever have been, as a nation. Islam is the fastest growing religion in this country. It is time America learned about it from the people who practice it, rather than from right-wing extremists who would rather stir up fear and encourage ignorance by pressuring Director Mueller.....rather than doing the right thing and meeting the people he has been hired to serve," said Alamoudi.
