[Imc-miami] American Jewish Congress Denounces Death Threat against the Council on American-Islamic Relations Chapter

[Jolly Jack]

  Dear Friends,   The following statement by the National Office of the American Jewish Congress is very significant because CAIR, which is the leading Muslim civil rights organization in this country, has been blacklisted by virtually every major Jewish organization, who have refused to even dialog with them, because of their alleged support for terrorism ( Hamas ). Hopefully this will be a first step towards a meaningful dialog and cooperation between the American Jewish and Muslim communities. 
  Best Regards,
  Jack                     
   
    Contact: David Twersky (212)360-1586                                                                                                     For Immediate Release
  Dtwersky at ajcongress .org
                                                                                                                                      
   
   
  AJCongress Denounces Death Threat against Council on American-Islamic Relations Chapter Director
   
  May 7, 2007 - The American Jewish Congress joins with other Americans in loudly and clearly denouncing the reported death threat against Altaf Ali, executive director of the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
   
  We strongly oppose the use of such language against anyone. In this particular context, it enflames an already fragile condition of relations between Moslem Americans and their fellow citizens.
   
  As pioneers in developing contacts between moderate Moslems here and abroad and Jews, we believe it is crucial to have an open and honest dialogue on all of the issues of concern. These include religious liberty – in the Moslem world and not only in the West; and the right of Israel to exist in peace and security.
   
  But it also includes the rights of Moslems to their liberty and security. Conducting such a discourse, as difficult as it may be, is made impossible by resort to death threats and hate filled sloganeering.
   
  Ultimately, the struggle now going on around the world will not be won by a wholesale assault on a vital and illustrious monotheistic faith. Instead, we should be helping Moslems tease out from within their tradition those elements compatible with democracy, human rights and human freedom.
   
  That is the most important task of this new century, and it is undermined by the illegal and immoral death threat against Mr. Ali.
   
  The American Jewish Congress is a membership association of Jewish Americans, organized to defend Jewish interests at home and abroad, through public policy advocacy, in the courts, Congress, the executive branch and state and local governments. It also works overseas with others who are similarly engaged.
   
  May 7, 2007 - The American Jewish Congress joins with other Americans in loudly and clearly denouncing the reported death threat against Altaf Ali, executive director of the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
   
  We strongly oppose the use of such language against anyone. In this particular context, it enflames an already fragile condition of relations between Moslem Americans and their fellow citizens.
   
  As pioneers in developing contacts between moderate Moslems here and abroad and Jews, we believe it is crucial to have an open and honest dialogue on all of the issues of concern. These include religious liberty – in the Moslem world and not only in the West; and the right of Israel to exist in peace and security.
   
  But it also includes the rights of Moslems to their liberty and security. Conducting such a discourse, as difficult as it may be, is made impossible by resort to death threats and hate filled sloganeering.
   
  Ultimately, the struggle now going on around the world will not be won by a wholesale assault on a vital and illustrious monotheistic faith. Instead, we should be helping Moslems tease out from within their tradition those elements compatible with democracy, human rights and human freedom.
   
  That is the most important task of this new century, and it is undermined by the illegal and immoral death threat against Mr. Ali.
   
  The American Jewish Congress is a membership association of Jewish Americans, organized to defend Jewish interests at home and abroad, through public policy advocacy, in the courts, Congress, the executive branch and state and local governments. It also works overseas with others who are similarly engaged.


Best Regards,
Jack Lieberman
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