Militant Islam Monitor > Articles > Bush administration censors representatives speech to radical Islamist conference - Karen Hughes praises ISNA as 'an ally'

Bush administration censors representatives speech to radical Islamist conference - Karen Hughes praises ISNA as 'an ally'

September 6, 2005

http://www.pipelinenews.org/index.cfm?page=hughesisna%2Ehtm

Bush Administration Censors Hughes' Speech To Islamist Group

September 7, 2005 - PipeLineNews.org - On Friday September 2, Karen Hughes, State Department Undersecretary for Public Relations addressed the Islamist group, ISNA [Islamic Society of North America] at their 42nd convention in Chicago, Illinois.
In the wake of a firestorm of criticism over her appearance before the organization, the State Department is now refusing to release the text of the speech, on the grounds that it was not a public event.
In advance of the address we were advised that the full text would be made available at the appropriate location on State's website, where other Hughes speeches appear.
Not finding it there and making a series of inquiries, we were informed that it had been determined that the event was "private" and the text thereof a non-public document - a classification that we were assured was a long-established option by the department.
However when asked by us to provide a single instance in which such censorship had previously been invoked, the State Department public affairs officer became audibly upset and referred us to another department functionary whom as we go to press, has not returned our calls.
Such behavior is especially hard to fathom since Ms. Hughes speech was heavily promoted in advance as being the opening salvo by the administration in a public relations effort to establish "meaningful" dialogue with "moderate" Muslims.
In a piece published by PipeLineNews on August 30 Letters From The Home Front War On Terror - The Bush Administration's Serious Missteps Regarding ISNA we advised that Ms. Hughes' appearance would prove to be a damaging misstep by an administration increasingly seen as being hamstrung by multiculturalism:

"Given the previous analysis, we consider it outrageous that the Bush administration has apparently made the decision to send top aid and newly appointed State Dept public relations chief Karen Hughes - hat in hand - to the ISNA convention.
If this plays out it will be an incredibly damaging move that will have a lasting and negative impact on the President's war on terror. It sends the message that this administration really has no conception of what it is fighting and how the Islamist movement is being advanced in North America.
Actions like this prove that despite assurances that the flow of vital information between various governmental agencies has improved, that little progress has been made.
Apparently this administration is unaware of what ISNA represents, that it is engaged in a vicious campaign to crush Islamic moderates and that the organization's IRS records have been requested by Senator Grass ley's Finance Committee because of concern over the group's possible ties to terror funding."

The question arises as to what is going on at the State Department and moreover, why is the Bush administration censoring a major speech by Ms. Hughes?
Is the administration now reconsidering the fact that it permitted Ms. Hughes to address an Islamist organization that is currently under Congressional investigation as a possible conduit of terrorist funding, and which has an unenviable track record of crushing the very moderate Muslims the administration has stated it seeks to bolster?
If so, it can't say that it wasn't adequately informed, we submitted a pre-publication copy of our article and were told that it and a number of others of the same tenor had been reviewed by members of Ms. Hughes' staff.
Absent the actual text of the speech it's impossible to assess how damaging Ms. Hughes appearance before ISNA was, the snippets which have leaked out indicate that neither Ms. Hughes nor the State Dept. really have much understanding of the organizations or the dynamics operating within the American Muslim community.
Already ISNA on its website is suggesting that the purpose of Hughes' appearance was to atone for rampant anti-Islamism, caused by Bush administration policies - "ISNA Meeting Opens, Bush Aide Slams Anti-Muslim Hatred."

"Hughes, asked by Bush to help restore the US public image abroad badly shaken after the invasion of Iraq...Policies of the Bush administration, coupled with some media campaigns, are widely blamed for increasing hatred toward the Muslim minority in the US, following the 9/11 attacks." - "ISNA Meeting Opens, Bush Aide Slams Anti-Muslim Hatred" - By Abdullah Abdur Rahman, IOL Correspondent

The ISNA websight also features a picture of a very servile looking Hughes greeting ISNA Vice President Dr. Ingrid Mattson. Hughes is probably unaware that Dr. Mattson denies the existence of Wahhabism and has made the ridiculous assertion that the media should not use the term "Islamic terrorism" as if that phrase has no validity.
That the Bush administration can't seem to separate the Islamist radicals from the moderates is troubling, but no less so than its decision to now conduct their dhimi-plomacy on this matter in secret.
That sends an exceedingly bad message, one which compounds the mistake of sending Ms. Hughes to Chicago in the first place by several orders of magnitude.

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President Bush's top aide, Karen Hughes, praised the Islamic Society of North America for creating a brochure condemning terrorism and religious extremism and called American Muslims her "new allies" in helping her convey a positive image of the United States to the larger Islamic world.

"Words of Muslims are important," Hughes said Friday, opening the four-day ISNA convention at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. "It's important for people to know that Muslims think that terrorism is the epitome of injustice because it targets innocent people. People need to hear those words, and they're more credible from Muslims themselves."

As part of her new job as undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs, Hughes has the challenging task of changing foreigners' perception of America. Frank discussions with American Muslims on a wide range of issues from civil liberties to foreign policy have given Hughes a head start before she takes on followers of Islam living outside the United States.

"I can't imagine that I would seek to approach this job and seek to reach out to a wider Muslim audience without first seeking the advice, opinions and input of our American Muslim community," Hughes said.

Words of Muslims are important," Hughes said Friday, opening the four-day ISNA convention at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. "It's important for people to know that Muslims think that terrorism is the epitome of injustice because it targets innocent people. People need to hear those words, and they're more credible from Muslims themselves."

'As American as I am'

Hughes dismissed criticism from some who blasted her unprecedented visit with the Muslims while the U.S. Senate continues investigating some U.S.-based mosques' possible ties to terrorists.

Hughes said ISNA and the U.S. government have a common interest in isolating and marginalizing terrorists. She said she never expected to agree with every member of the diverse Muslim community, but said conducting open and honest dialogue will open many doors.

"These are Americans who are just as American as I am," Hughes said of the Muslim doctors, lawyers and teachers she has met in the last two days.

Hughes was also expected to meet with a British Muslim delegation, including Pola Uddin and Nazir Ahmed, to discuss the deadly July 7 subway attacks and challenges facing Muslims in London.

Dissemination of ISNA's new pamphlet follows the American Muslim scholars' recent fatwa or religious decree against violence carried out in the name of religion.

Chicago's Kareem Irfan, who spearheaded the project, said Muslims have always spoken out against 9/11 and other barbaric acts. But the fatwa and the brochure provide concrete evidence of what Islam really teaches, he said.

"This initiative is not being undertaken because of political correctness. This initiative has not been taken for the purpose of being apologetic. . . . I can assure you this was done because of a passionate belief that the true message of Islam needs to be conveyed," Irfan said. "It needs to be wrenched away from those whose acts tainted [Islam] unfairly, unnecessarily."

ISNA Wraps Up Historic Convention

Attendees were also entertained.

By Sadiya Ahmed, IOL Correspondent

CHICAGO , September 5, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – The 42nd Annual Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) Convention has been wrapped up with a very important reminder to attendees to take back to their communities throughout North America ; The very nature of terrorism and the inhumane tactics of the terrorists were, are and will always be condemnable according to Islamic teachings.

The fanfare gathering was concluded Sunday, September 4, after three days of lectures, artistic performances and tens of parallel programs and sessions covering challenges facing Muslims in North America and many social and health aspects.

For the organizers and the hundreds of volunteers, the end of the convention is bittersweet and comes with nostalgia and relief.

With lectures to organize, the bazaar to manage, articles to be written for the newsletter, the convention volunteers were one of the core factors in making this year's convention a success, according to IOL Correspondent.

These volunteers, mostly youth and college students are a testimony to the awesome potential that young Muslims in America have to sacrifice of their talents and their energies in service of the convention attendees, IOL Correspondent added.

Terror, Women

This year's convention, addressing the challenges and successes of yesteryear and the aspirations for tomorrow has been one of the most politically and socially mobilizing ISNA conventions.

It kicked off Friday with meetings with Karen Hughes, Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, and continuing on with various presentations by elected leaders such as State Senator Larry Shaw of North Carolina and other interfaith leaders and organizers, the convention gained momentum as each day passed.

In addition to the ever-present topic of terrorism, other topics that were prominent included the role of women in Islam vis-a-vis leadership positions in the community, the role of the Imam as a multi-dimensional leader of the community, and the dire need for Muslims to live up to Islamic teachings that emphasize a great concern for uplifting the quality of life for all of mankind.

The last point was addressed in motivating speeches as well as in concrete calls for action for Muslims to donate generously to the relief funds established in support of the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Matrimonial Banquet

Jamal Badawi addressing the Interfaith Unity Banquet.

The convention also addressed concretely the increasing demand for a forum by which families can meet prospective candidates for marriage for their sons and daughters.

The Matrimonial Banquet provided such a forum in adherence to Islamic teachings and decorum.

One participant of the banquet, too shy to give his name told IOL that he did not find the banquet very helpful while others were thankful to ISNA for having organized such a forum.

According to organizers, only a few years ago, one such banquet resulted in 21 marriages.

Daily Activities

Jeffrey Lang signing books.

While the convention program provided tremendous structure, for Muslims, there was already an existing routine such as the five daily prayers.

For some convention attendees who live in communities with small Muslim populations, the convention provided an opportunity of a lifetime to pray all five prayers in congregation.

The convention addressed all issues, from spiritual to social ones. The ISNA bazaar had a steady stream of customers ranging in ages from the very young to the very old, with one thing in common -– they were all looking for a good bargain.

From Arabic language software to books on practicing Islam to the latest modest Islamic clothing to the CDs of religious supplications and other remembrances of Allah – the bazaar had it all.

Many customers could be overheard struggling to strike a deal with the vendors, bargaining relentlessly and almost always, walking away pleased, IOL Correspondent witnessed.

Entertainment

Another major highlight of the convention was the sessions on entertainment.

Attendees were treated this year to famous artists like Shaam, Ashiqur Rasul, 786 and Native Deen to comedian Azhar Usman.

From the prayers to the bazaar to the entertainment sessions, new friendships were formed, networks were established, and the feeling of solidarity cemented. It was difficult for one to leave the convention center without feeling both empowered and a bit saddened to see it all come to a close.

According to Steering Committee Chair Kareem Irfan, the goal of this year's convention was to "convince people from all different [religious] levels to come together and become better Muslims."

Along the way, there were many difficulties, "Having to be accommodating of Muslims of different convictions", which he identified as one of the most significant ones.

The convention, according to Irfan, is in the midst of a transitory period where the organizers are consciously attempting to make the overall atmosphere more inclusive for both grassroots movements and building bridges between generations.

Committee chairs were encouraged to find more sisters and to help their transition into positions of leadership as well as finding volunteers from a younger age bracket.

As an umbrella organization for many of the smaller and local groups within the Muslim minority, ISNA is responsible for setting the agenda for issues of importance and this year's convention was a milestone as ISNA set forth its more direct agenda.

The emphasis on bridging gaps between different groups in the community, issues of gender, and the stance on social and political activism have all been a part of the ‘new' ISNA and have helped create an atmosphere for change and progress in the future.

ISNA announced that Chicago has the honor of hosting the convention again in 2006.

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