(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/27/08) – The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today said that a participant in an anti-Muslim film
that is being distributed to 28 million homes in presidential
election swing states has issued a statement calling the production
a "vile piece of propaganda."

In his statement, Dr. Khaleel Mohammed, a professor at San Diego
State University, apologizes to the Muslim community for his role
in "Obsession: Radical Islam's War against the West."

Dr. Mohammed's statement reads:

"Sadly, it would seem that I have allowed myself to be used. I gave
an interview to the makers of "obsession" wherein I explained the
meaning of Jihad, and its misuse by extremists. I understood that the
film would be used objectively, focusing on fanatics who seek to
spread violence. I am aware that there is a disclaimer at the
beginning of the film that says it is not about Islam in general, but
only about extremist interpretations.

"But the material from some of the speakers gives the lie to the
disclaimer: many of them are not experts, or have used the mantle of
academic qualifications to purvey hate. That their alarmist drivel
should be mixed with my whittled down interview proves that the
intent of the film is not to educate, but to mislead. The free
distribution of the film to voters in particular districts shows the
political chicanery that is the motive, and the secrecy about the
financing of the distribution only underlines the evil intent in
circulating this vile piece of propaganda.

"Evidence seems to indicate the involvement of Aish ha-Torah in this
dishonest enterprise. I find that particularly distressing, because
any Jewish organization ought to realize what the film seeks to do:
they demonize an entire community to the point where a government
takes action to further beleaguer its citizens and resident aliens
simply because of their religious identity. This bigotry over
religion and identity is precisely what caused the Shoah — and it is
sad that those who ought to have learned what hate can engender
should seek to imitate Nazi propagandism.

"Yet — for all the nefarious intent of the distributors of the film —
I must also accept culpability for allowing myself to be so used. I
still oppose many of the traditional interpretations of Islam—but
that has nothing to do with the film Obsession. I cannot stand by
silently and allow my participation in such satanic demonization of
innocents. I apologize to my fellow Muslims for appearing in such a
film. I apologize to my Jewish teachers and friends-- who have warned
me time and again about falling into such a situation—for not heeding
their counsel. And I expect now that those who support the film will
make me their target. But again: I am no diplomat, and I love a good
fight. I am obsessed with the truth. Let's get it on. "

Last week, CAIR filed a complaint with the Federal Election
Commission (FEC) over the distribution of the film.

Many American Muslims and other people of conscience have expressed
concerns that the massive distribution of such intolerant and biased
materials may lead to an increase in anti-Muslim prejudice and
stereotyping.

quote:

Originally posted by dara shikoh:

Dr. Mohammed's statement reads:

"Sadly, it would seem that I have allowed myself to be used. ...

I apologize to my fellow Muslims for appearing in such a film. I apologize to my Jewish teachers and friends-- who have warned
me time and again about falling into such a situation—for not heeding their counsel. And I expect now that those who support the film will
make me their target. But again: I am no diplomat, and I love a good fight. I am obsessed with the truth. Let's get it on.
.

Dara, you did the right thing. May Allah continue to guide you and all of us to the straight path.

A fat one will be put on yo bahind.

if a kno yuh was in de film a wudda watch it alreddy. Like yuh tun celebreetee? Good yuh kik dem butts. Stay away from dem hatas.

BTW, eid mubarak.

here is what is sad: certain groups have taken it upon themselves to make every Muslim group into a "hate" organization. U notice that every muslim org is under scrutiny..they talking about radical islam being a threat when the fact is that in the military, in the public the country is gradually being turned into a sham theocracy?

So did you coconut oil up for the interview yo looking shine.

quote:

Originally posted by dara shikoh:
here is what is sad: certain groups have taken it upon themselves to make every Muslim group into a "hate" organization. U notice that every muslim org is under scrutiny..they talking about radical islam being a threat when the fact is that in the military, in the public the country is gradually being turned into a sham theocracy?

No one has been a bigger danger to America and the American lifestyle than Bushie. He make dem terrorists look like angels.

quote:

Originally posted by bird:
So did you coconut oil up for the interview yo looking shine.

Check out my cebo shoes and gobins jeans.

quote:

Originally posted by ksazma:

quote:

Originally posted by dara shikoh:
here is what is sad: certain groups have taken it upon themselves to make every Muslim group into a "hate" organization. U notice that every muslim org is under scrutiny..they talking about radical islam being a threat when the fact is that in the military, in the public the country is gradually being turned into a sham theocracy?

No one has been a bigger danger to America and the American lifestyle than Bushie. He make dem terrorists look like angels.

Don't forget Jim Hagee and his bunch...

Kaz: what about Bird? The man shyting on every body's car. That is a threat to the good living heah. I wonder if he and Amral got some scheme going to seek windscreen cleaning fluid?

quote:

Originally posted by dara shikoh:
Kaz: what about Bird? The man shyting on every body's car. That is a threat to the good living heah. I wonder if he and Amral got some scheme going to seek windscreen cleaning fluid?

bai, bird is outa presi league. Presi give facists a bad name.

i feeling sorry for prezzi...his 700b plan was nixed temporarily. I am amazed at how none has suggested that a nation constantly at self-created wars will plummet into financial crisis.

Just think about it: in the old days, you beat your enemy, you took his riches, you made him pay tribute. Now, you beat him up, you spend billions of dollars to ensure the one you want rules the place, you don't get tribute...and we wonder why we are becoming poor?
In the old days the defeated enemy became poor..look at what maliki and karzai driving. Lordy Lordy. Them Taliban bhais not chupid you know...if they surrender, or make fight then surrender, they get hummers and money.

We spend too much money buying people's loyalty.

We went US hegemony. That comes at a price. Caesar found out, Constantine found out, the Muslims found out, the Jews are now finding out (although Solomon found it the hard way too)....all because we don't want to let people be who they are.

Newspapers get complaints for DVD ad on Muslims
By ANICK JESDANUN, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK - Newspapers that carried an advertising supplement in recent weeks containing a DVD critical of radical Muslims have faced complaints from readers and questions about whether newspapers should offer a platform to everyone willing to pay for distribution.

ADVERTISEMENT

Although a few papers refused to carry the DVD, about 70 including The New York Times distributed it on the grounds that rejecting it would violate the sponsor's right to free speech. The decision generated letters, cancellations and even a protest.

The Clarion Fund, a nonprofit founded in 2006 to address "the most urgent threat of radical Islam," spent millions of dollars distributing the DVDs mostly in battleground election states. That targeting led to further outcry about the group's motives.

"This is definitely the most feedback that I've gotten to an ad," said Ted Vaden, public editor for The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C. "It's among the heaviest reaction I've gotten to anything. The great majority of the reaction was negative."

Vaden said the paper received about 500 e-mail and phone messages and had some 50 cancellations. He said the paper may have sparked some of the complaints by writing a front-page story calling attention to "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West," the DVD insert that critics have denounced as anti-Muslim propaganda.

The decision over running the ad was similar to what online services like Google Inc.'s YouTube and Yahoo Inc.'s Flickr face when they let users freely share provocative video or photos. They get complaints of promoting unpopular viewpoints when they try to uphold free-speech principles; they get complaints of censorship when they don't.

Newspapers generally insist on giving a platform to a variety of viewpoints, but readers who complained were largely critical.

"I cannot believe that I was sent the hate-inflaming, fear-mongering video disk `Obsession' in my newspaper!" Margaret Lewis of Durham, N.C., wrote to The News & Observer. "What will you enclose next? KKK robes?"

Kelly McBride, head of the ethics faculty at the journalism think tank Poynter Institute, said papers generally reject ads only if they promote illegal activity or might incite violence. The "Obsession" DVD, at most, makes people angry, she said.

"It's pretty hard to make an argument to reject it," she said. "It's hard to articulate a standard that would give you the opportunity to reject something like the `Obsession' DVD but allow other types of political, religious or anti-religious speech."

The Clarion Fund, which has declined to identify all of its board members or the sources of its funding, is working with the Endowment for Middle East Truth on "The Obsession Project," which is to include research publications and issue forums.

Clarion Fund spokesman Gregory Ross said the group spent several million dollars in donations from individuals he would not name, and he said running the ad in swing states was a means of drawing media attention and not meant to influence the election's result, a move barred by federal tax law covering nonprofits.

"We found (newspapers were) the most economical and best way to get it out there," Ross said.

Dozens of people protested outside The Oregonian's offices on Monday, the morning after the Portland, Ore., newspaper carried the DVD. One said he canceled his subscription. Mayor Tom Potter had tried to persuade the paper not to run the ad.

Publisher Fred Stickel, who did not return phone calls from The Associated Press for comment, has said The Oregonian tries to keep its advertising channels open, regardless of whether the paper agrees with the sponsor's message.

But Elizabeth Brenner, the publisher of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, told reporters at the Milwaukee Press Club that based on complaints from its readers, the paper likely would not carry it again if faced with the same decision. She declined further comment to the AP, saying she didn't want to re-ignite the issue.

"Obsession," an hour-long movie that features graphic images of terrorism, video of anti-American speeches from Mideast television and comparisons with Nazi Germany, has been sent to about 28 million households through newspapers and direct mail.

Ross questioned whether many of the video's critics actually had seen it, and he noted that it carried a disclaimer saying it was not about the majority of Muslims, who are peaceful.

Some readers expressed support.

"It's refreshing to see something other than the `politically correct' drivel most Americans seem to accept as fact," Steven Earle of Clifton, Colo., wrote to The Denver Post, which distributed a half million copies.

The News & Record of Greensboro, N.C., rejected the DVD, considering it inflammatory and hateful without contributing much educational value.

"We got a lot of e-mails from across the country applauding the decision," Editor John Robinson said, adding that most feedback for and against came from outside his paper's region.

The Detroit Free Press, The Plain Dealer of Cleveland and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch also declined to carry the ad.

The glossy color insert to which the DVD was attached described it in tiny print as a "Paid Advertising Supplement."

As at other newspapers, The New York Times' decision to run the ad in some markets outside New York came from its advertising department, not the newsroom.

"Just as we print advertisements that rebut New York Times editorials, news articles or critical reviews, we print ads that differ from our editorial position," spokeswoman Diane McNulty said. "We do so in the belief that it is in the best interests of our readers for our pages to be as open as possible."

The Miami Herald got dozens of letters and e-mails, mostly critical. But Anders Gyllenhaal, the newspaper's executive editor, said the outcry led to good discussions with the region's Muslim community about the principles of free speech.

quote:

I apologize to my Jewish teachers and friends-- who have warned —for not heeding
their counsel. And I expect now that those who support the film will
make me their target.

Anyway as the old saying goes "when you play with the Pups you end up getting bitten by the fleas"

May Almighty Allah forgive you.

Them boys gone berserk pon me. But truth be told chief: I only apologize for allowing an interview. Not knowing how it would be spliced in. On my views re Israel, i remain the same.
Next time, I will play with the puppies. :-)

quote:

Originally posted by dara shikoh:
Next time, I will play with the puppies. :-)

Only thing beats playing with puppies is playing with kittens. :-)

Bunnies are more fun seriously. ;)(:

quote:

Originally posted by Abu Jihad:

quote:

Originally posted by Chief:

quote:

I apologize to my Jewish teachers and friends-- who have warned —for not heeding
their counsel. And I expect now that those who support the film will
make me their target.

Anyway as the old saying goes "when you play with the Pups you end up getting bitten by the fleas"

May Almighty Allah forgive you.

or when you go a crab dance, you must get mud.

Dr. Mohammed is trying to save face now with the Umma after selling them out to their hated enemies. He attempts to place the blame on the producers of "Obsession" after seeking fame and fortune with them. Come on now Dr. Mohammed. What did you expect to be a part of when you gave your services to a neo-conservative Jewish think tank making a documentary on Radical Islam? You can't tell us that you were so naive as to think that the movie was going to be a glowing tribute to your brotherhood.