April 1996

Muslim-American Activism

AMC Sponsors Congressional Iftar Dinner

The American Muslim Council and six congressmen sponsored a Feb. 13 Iftar dinner held on Capitol Hill to celebrate the breaking of the fast during Ramadan. The dinner, the first-ever of its kind with members of the United States Congress, was hosted by Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), Rep. Nick Rahall, II (D-WV), Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (D-CA) and Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-MI), and co-hosted by Representatives Jim Moran (D-VA) and Tom Davis (R-VA). Hundreds attended the event that was part of AMC's campaign to make the American-Muslim community more aware of national politics, and to make national political figures more aware of the American Muslim community.

Each of the sponsors spoke after a reception-style stand-up dinner, which was necessary because of recently passed lobbying laws that prevent members of Congress from dining with individuals or groups who pay for formal, sit-down meals. Representing the American Muslim Council was Executive Director Abdurahman Alamoudi, who spoke of the importance of the Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition in American culture and the significance of fasting for each of the three monotheistic religions.

—Shawn L. Twing

First Lady Hosts Eid al-Fitr Reception

First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton hosted a Feb. 20 reception in the executive office building adjacent to the White House in recognition of the first day of the Eid al-Fitr Islamic holiday. Mrs. Clinton spoke to a crowd of 100 Muslim families from around the United States invited in conjunction with the American Muslim Council in Washington, DC. She told them that "The values that lie at the heart of Ramadan, faith, family, community and responsibility for the less fortunate, resonate with all peoples of the earth," and added that "a greater understanding of the tenets of Islam in our national consciousness will help to build strength and resilience as a nation." She also said that the Clinton family's first exposure to Islam came from their 16-year old daughter Chelsea, who recently took a class on Islamic history.

On the same day, President Clinton issued a statement in recognition of Eid al-Fitr which read in part: "As the new moon ushers in this holy celebration, let me say to all who follow the faith of Islam here in the United States and around the world the traditional greeting: As-Salamu Alaikum,may peace be with you and may God grant you health and prosperity now and in the years ahead."

—Shawn L. Twing

CAIR Calls Muslims to Protest Warner Bros. Movie

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) urged the American-Muslim community to protest the new Warner Bros. movie "Executive Decision," which Muslim groups say portrays a number of anti-Muslim stereotypes. The movie, released March 15, is about a Washington, DC-bound 747 hijacked by Arab terrorists who target Washington with a cargo of lethal nerve gas. Muslim leaders who screened the film say it includes references to the Qur'an to justify the violent acts and it depicts terrorists engaged in Islamic prayer and committing violent acts holding the Qur'an. The film also reportedly represents Muslim Chechens as being aggressors and "mafioso."

"As we saw following the tragic bombing in Oklahoma City, the constant repetition of these anti-Muslim stereotypes and unacknowledged biases leads inevitably to prejudice and outright violence against a minority," read a statement released jointly by CAIR, the American Muslim Council and other Muslim and Arab-American groups. "We take these actions not out of a desire for censorship, but to protect our families and communities from discrimination, harassment and attack."

Following a meeting with Muslim leaders, Warner Bros. issued a statement saying that it shared the "goal of increased understanding and sensitivity in the portrayal of Arabs, Muslims and Islam to audiences around the world." But the movie has not been modified from its original form, despite Muslim-American protests.

CAIR recommends that concerned citizens take action by contacting movie reviewers in their areas and pointing out that Muslims are the only group depicted committing acts of violence in the name of their religion. CAIR also suggested that Muslims send a polite letter to Robert A. Daly, chairman and co-CEO of Warner Bros, and ask him to edit the most offensive scenes to eliminate the links between Islam and violence. Warner Bros.' address is 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, CA 91522.

—Geoff Lumetta