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Politics : The Truth About Islam -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ichy Smith who wrote (2314)	10/10/2006 3:36:27 PM
From: Proud_Infidel	Respond to of 20106

Birmingham Jews, Muslims in rift over Hamas-linked charity Associated Press/Ledger Inquirer ^ \| 10-10-06 ledger-enquirer.com BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Members of Birmingham's Jewish and Muslim communities are at odds over a Muslim man's ties to an Islamic charity that was shut down by the U.S. government for funding activities by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Temple Emanu-El Rabbi Jonathan Miller is discouraging the Jewish community from taking part in programs with the Birmingham Islamic Society after learning that Palestinian Raed Awad raised funds for The Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, which was shut down in December 2001 for its connections to Hamas. Awad, who has taken part in numerous interfaith programs since moving to Birmingham two years ago, said he only raised funds to help Palestinian hospitals, orphanages and schools and never saw evidence of funds being directed to violent activities. "I'm against any violence, Palestinian and Israeli, on both sides," Awad said. "I did not raise funds for terrorism or violent causes." Awad said he was questioned by the FBI on numerous occasions and took a polygraph test. "I submitted to that of my own accord, without a lawyer," he said. FBI spokesman Paul Daymond said there's no indication Awad is considered a person of interest in any investigation. Miller said he's not accusing Awad of criminal activity, but wants him to acknowledge and express regret that he helped raise money for Hamas, which sponsored terrorism and killed civilians. "The question is the propriety of having someone of his background be their representative and take a leadership role," Miller told The Birmingham News in a story for Monday editions. "It's a question of somebody who has done something that has contributed to the deaths of hundreds of people and has never said, 'I'm sorry.' Absolutely, most of the money went to charities, but significant money went to support murder and terror." Awad served from 1994 to 2000 as imam of the Masjid Al-Iman mosque in Fort Lauderdale that was attended by Muslim convert Jose Padilla, who was indicted last year for aiding terrorists and conspiracy to murder. Awad said he did not know Padilla well and had "no influence over him at all." Muslim leaders said Jewish leaders requested that a Sept. 11 interfaith program sponsored by the National Conference for Community and Justice be postponed because Awad was scheduled to participate. The "Who is My Neighbor?" program was to take place at the Birmingham Islamic Society's mosque. "They're boycotting us - they pressured NCCJ to cancel it," said Farook Chandiwala, a member of the Birmingham Islamic Society. Temple Beth-El Cantor Daniel Gale, an NCCJ board member who was scheduled to be on the program with Awad, said he withdrew when he learned of Awad's past association with the Holy Land Foundation. Gale said he will not take part in a panel with Awad unless Awad distances himself from and rejects the philosophy and tactics of Hamas. "What is at stake here is years of working together in the interfaith community," said Ashfaq Taufique, president of the Birmingham Islamic Society and a board member of NCCJ. Taufique said he has no qualms about Awad representing Muslims in interfaith functions. The Rev. Steve Jones, pastor of Southside Baptist Church and a friend of both Awad and Miller, said Awad has been unfairly characterized as a terrorist sympathizer and other participants in interfaith dialogue, such as Christians and Buddhists and Baha'is, are also negatively affected by the dispute. Awad said he's willing to meet with concerned Jewish leaders. "We were making good strides in reconciling the Muslim and Jewish community," he said. "Until I die, I'll have my hand extended to Rabbi Miller and the Jewish community."