Threats of violence force US AlJeezrah web site to shut down. The land of the free and home of the brave today.
Al-Jazeerah Editor Threatened
Media campaign against aljazeerah.us
The Editor of Al-Jazeerah has received life threats through emails and on his answering machine at home.
The caller's accent identifies him as a person living in the same area. The Al-Jazeerah Editor reiterates that
the goal of this website is promoting peace between the United States and the Arab and Muslim Worlds.
As an American citizen, who loves his country and wants to see it peaceful and prosperous, he has
contributed to that goal by initiating this website thinking that the right of free expression is protected by
people and authorities. However, these life threats together with the continuous hate mail have made
freedom of expression impossible.
Some anti Al-Jazeerah materials in the media have contributed to the recent wave of intolerance and
threats against Al-Jazeerah and its editor. In particular, articles were written about Al-Jazeerah by Robert
Stacy McCain, in the Washington Times (April 14, 2003), by John M. Willis, in the Rome (Georgia) News
Tribune (April 14, 2003), by Karen Shugart, in the Chattanooga (Tennessee) Times Free Press (April 15,
2003), and by Charles Oliver, in the Daily Citizen, in Dalton Georgia. In addition, ABC affiliate Channel 9
TV aired a report about Al-Jazeerah, on April 14, 2003. In all these materials, there was incitement against
Al-Jazeerah. The life threat that was left in the Editor's home answering machine was recorded in the same
morning that the Dalton Daily Citizen published its report with the instigatory title, "Dalton Prof,
Webmaster of anti-US site."
It is apparent that pro-war groups, including some media units, have zero tolerance to freedom of
expression in some parts of the United States, despite the fact that the debate about war was even called
on by President Bush.
These conditions made me uncomfortable to continue the noble goal of promoting peace and cross-cultural
understanding in the world. However, I promise Al-Jazeerah dear readers to resume the service as soon as
I feel it is safe to do that again.
Finally, to clear out any doubts about the noble intentions of Al-Jazeerah, there will be new sections for
various groups to express themselves without the need to resort to threats against their fellow citizens or
against people from other countries. May God spread peace on Earth.
Al-Jazeerah Editor,
Dr. Hassan A. El-Najjar
April 17, 2003
Dalton, GA, USA. |
