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Sunday Open Thread 5/30/09 | TIME FOR ACTION: Berry/740KTRH & Muslim Advocates/White House on 6/4

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Things are going down the hill pretty fast as far as Muslims are concerned in America. It’s time to take some action. Take no more than a few minutes to act on the following action-alerts:

#1 Michael Berry’s Terrorist Threat to Bomb any Future Mosque near Ground Zero

MM’s Coverage of Park51 (Mislabeled “Ground Zero Mosque”)

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Background- Click |  Audio- Click

Houston radio host Michael Berry (KTRH-AM 740). May 26 show. Berry said on radio using public airwaves, “No, no, Tony, you can’t build a mosque at the site of 9/11. No, you can’t. No, you can’t. And I’ll tell you this — if you do build a mosque, I hope somebody blows it up. . .I hope the mosque isn’t built, and if it is, I hope it’s blown up, and I mean that.”

Two simple actions:

  • Join CAIR in the complaint to the FCC, and also complain to the radio station. You can do this online.  You’ll need to know:
    • What is the name of the company that is the subject of your complaint? Clear Channel Communications
    • Station call sign: 740 KTRH
    • Station location:  Houston, TX
    • Operator Name: Clear Channel
    • Operator Location: San Antonio, TX
    • Program name: The Michael Berry Show
    • Date: 5/26/2010
    • Time (anyone know? but not necessary)
    • Provide the details of your complaint: Simply copy and paste what Berry said. Mention the violence-incitement nature of the comment.
  • Contact 740 KTRH to express your anger and demand that Berry be suspended or fired.

#2 Call the White House on Friday, June 4th; Urge President to Keep his Promise on Zakat!

On June 4, 2009, in Cairo, Egypt, President Obama made a historic speech promising American Muslims to remove significant hurdles to zakat:

“…in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation.  That’s why I’m committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat.” — President Barack Obama

This June 4th, Muslim Advocates is urging Muslims across the country to call the White House and tell President Obama to keep his promise and reform the many federal laws complicating our ability to give zakat freely.

Did you know?

  • Under the law, the government can prosecute donors and charities for well-intentioned donations if support is sent to prohibited organizations or individuals
  • There are currently at least five separate lists for donors to check prior to giving abroad, making it challenging for both individuals and smaller institutions such as mosques to navigate government requirements.
  • American Muslims are questioned by federal government officials about their donation to and activities with lawful charities and mosques.

The federal government continues to target Muslim donors and charities for investigation and prosecution, while other faith communities give without fear.  This is wrong and must change.  Together, we must make our voices heard.

ON JUNE 4th MAKE THE CALL!

1) Make the Call: On the one-year anniversary of the President’s Cairo commitment, call the White House at 202.456.1111 and ask President Obama to keep his promise to protect zakat!

To guide your call:

Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I’m calling to ask President Obama to keep his promise made last year to remove hurdles to zakat, or charitable giving.  As a [DONOR or NONPROFIT LEADER] many of these laws and policies have prevented me from giving charity.  In particular, I am concerned about being investigated and prosecuted for giving in good faith.

  • I ask the President to take measures to simplify the number of government lists I need to check in order to make a donation.
  • I also ask the President to create legal protections to ensure that donors acting in good faith will not be investigated or prosecuted.

Thank you for your time.  I will be keeping track of how the President honors his commitment to remove hurdles to zakat.

2) Share this Action Alert: Forward this action alert to your family, friends, and community listservs.  Post it on facebook and twitter.  Urge your network to be part of this national call-in day!

For more information, visit our website, or contact Akil Vohra at 415.692.1486 or akil@muslimadvocates.org

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The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

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Abu Reem is one of the founders of MuslimMatters, Inc. His identity is shaped by his religion (Islam), place of birth (Pakistan), and nationality (American). By education, he is a ChemE, topped off with an MBA from Wharton. He has been involved with Texas Dawah, Clear Lake Islamic Center and MSA. His interests include politics, cricket, and media interactions. Career-wise, Abu Reem is in management in the oil & gas industry (but one who still appreciates the "green revolution").

11 Comments

11 Comments

  1. Amad

    May 30, 2010 at 3:03 AM

    For anyone who thinks that Berry’s speech is protected by the First Amendment, just consider what would happen to a Muslim, who urged the bombing of a synagogue on public airways in America? Forget public airwaves… even in a private meeting.

    the terror double-standards are becoming ridiculous!

    Reply

    • Abdus-Sabur

      May 30, 2010 at 5:21 AM

      visit the NO TO THE MOSQUE AT GROUND ZERO on Facebook and you read all the hateful, violent rhetoric you can stand. You hit it spot on. It’s the terror double standard because of illogical phrase “not all muslims are terrorists but all terrorists are muslims.” By this logic, if you’re not a muslim and say things like this you are just a frustrated patriot. Excuses are made and Islamophobia is completely acceptable, mainstream.

      Reply

      • amad

        May 30, 2010 at 6:19 AM

        What’s funny is the factual inaccuracy of this statement:
        “not all muslims are terrorists but all terrorists are muslims.”

        Putting aside state-terrorism (in Iraq, Palestine, Chechnya, Kashmir, etc.) that has killed far more people than any non-state actors, the statement even belies facts for non-state terrorism. These 3 articles shed some more light:

        *The Latest Falsehood from the Advocates of Civilizational War : Not All Terrorists are Muslim

        *Claim that all terrorists are Muslims ignores history – updated 4/7/2010

        *All Terrorists are Muslims…Except the 94% that Aren’t

        Reply

        • Kashif H

          May 30, 2010 at 10:30 AM

          The problem is that this is a right-wing racist based talking point that has been mainstreamed via Fox News and right wing blogs. They even tried to advocate for it in the movie “An American Carol” here.

          This merits another whole post on this topic with more detailed research and hopefully even a campaign by different Muslim groups to push back against this.

          Reply

        • abu abdAllah Tariq Ahmed

          May 30, 2010 at 11:58 PM

          Jazak Allah khayr, Amad. Sad that the 94% piece was published in January! How does the media ignore facts so effectively, especially when someone carefully digests the facts for them like that guy did.

          He should be on Jon Stewart or something. Has he?

          Reply

        • AssalamAlaikum

          June 1, 2010 at 7:07 PM

          jazkAllah khayran for the loonwatch links!!! hadn’t seen that site before but its amazing!

          Reply

  2. Amad

    May 30, 2010 at 6:49 AM

    Okay, just finished filing a complaint on MuslimMatters, Inc.’s behalf with FCC.

    All individuals and organizations can file complaints with FCC. Don’t let this rightwing nut-job escape from accountability for his incitement to violence and terrorism.

    Reply

  3. bigahk tks

    May 30, 2010 at 9:26 AM

    i aint calling no whitehouse..lol

    Reply

  4. Siraaj

    May 31, 2010 at 7:16 AM

    Correct me if I’m wrong, but the sub-header states, “Michael Berry’s Terrorist Threat to Bomb any Future Mosque near Ground Zero” which appears to state he’s planning to do it himself, whereas his quote states, “I hope somebody blows it up” – maybe the sub-header could be changed to accurately reflect an incitement to violence rather than what it appears as now, maybe something like, “Radical Talk Show Host Calls for More Terrorist Attacks at Ground Zero”.

    Siraaj

    Reply

  5. Naina

    June 3, 2010 at 9:42 PM

    It’s funny how they call all the mass distractions in Iraq and Afganistan as “war”, maybe these so called english speakers need to go check the dictionary to see the meaning of “war” and “invation”. who are they fighting with?! this is simply plain invading these country!

    Reply

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