Militant Islam Monitor > Articles > Khalil Gibran School Advisor Khalid Latif Threatened NYU with Jihad Over Danish Cartoons
Khalil Gibran School Advisor Khalid Latif Threatened NYU with Jihad Over Danish Cartoons
May 17, 2007
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Khalil Gibran School Advisor Threatened NYU With Jihad Over Danish Cartoons By Beila Rabinowitz and William Mayer
"Dear President Sexton, I hope all is well with you I am writing to you in regards to an event that is scheduled to take place next Wednesday at New York University. This event is being sponsored by the Objectivist Club, an OSA club, and its purpose is to analyze the issue of free speech with an emphasis put on a series of cartoons recently published in a Danish newspaper that depicted the Prophet Muhammad , peace be upon him, and Islam in a highly offensive manner. These cartoons have lead to riots, protests, beatings, and even deaths on an international level and now the idea is being discussed whether or not they should be displayed at NYU at the aforementioned event...As such, I am asking you to not allow these cartoons to be displayed in any shape or form. The event itself and the topic that the students would like to discuss is not problematic in any way, but the pictures themselves are just hatred and there is really no justification in preaching something that breeds that kind of hate. One of the images shows what the author claims to be a rendering of the Prophet Muhammad wearing a turban that is shaped like a bomb, making it seem as if Islam is a religion that can be equated to terrorism. If ideas like that are not enough to keep these images from being displayed, the potential of what might happen after they are shown is something else that should be considered and not taken lightly. As Chaplain for the Muslim community at NYU, my primary concern would be for those undergrads, grad students, faculty, staff, and admins who are Muslim and what kind of state displaying these cartoons would leave them in... Aside from that, the repercussions that would take place outside of the university setting are potentially huge. All over the world Muslims have been coming together over this issue and in New York they would not hesitate in doing the same thing. New York itself is also one of the most metropolitan cities in the world and media attention that would be acquired would not limit itself to the city, but could go across the nation and even around the world as it already has with issues pertaining to these cartoons. NYU has facilities all over the world and Muslims also live all over the world. At that point in time no one will be thinking about the objectivist club that is an OSA organization made up of ten or twenty students. Rather, at that time all people will be thinking about is New York University and the decision it made. That decision however has not been made yet and I pray that, God-willing, when it is made, it will be the best one. Best regards, If there was ever a time to stand up for anyone, the time would be now. Racism that exists in any kind of form, against any people is never justified and these images are racist in nature, specifically against the Muslim community. Together we should stand up not just for our sake and for the sake of those around us, but also for the sake of our prophet alayhi salaam. Be you brown, black, yellow, or white, Allah has given us all the oppurtunity to protect the image of His most beloved, and it is upon us as individuals to decide how we respond. As i mentioned to president sexton, i mention to you all as well: I pray that inshallah all of our responses, when made, are the best ones. Should you have any questions, comments or concerns, feel free to contact me at the information below. jazakumullah khairun The circulating list also contained an endorsement of Latif's actions by Yvonne Ridley a Muslim convert who is active in left-wing UK politics and has distinguished herself as a vile anti-Semite as well as being a supporter of suicide bombing. "I did tell the students that I would try and rally support overseas – so let's show the NYU administration that if they mess with our brothers and sisters in New York they mess with all of us. The following is a letter that has already been sent to President Sexton earlier by the imam of the Islamic centre. Your sister in Islam Yvonne Ridley http://tajdeed-list.net/pipermail/activists_tajdeed-list.net/2006-March/000055.html Latif's reference, "All over the world Muslims have been coming together over this issue" could not be wasted on those familiar with the world-wide response of Muslim fundamentalists to the publishing of the cartoons - since the resultant riots which claimed dozens of lives were given prominence in the international media. It is clear that Latif was threatening a similar response at NYU if the cartoons were displayed. Latif's Islamist intimidation eventually won the day, with NYU crushing academic free speech in the process, banning the display of the cartoons under the guise of "security dictates." The decision was criticized by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education [FIRE], "The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is urging NYU's president to reverse course and stand up for freedom of speech." http://www.thefire.org/index.php/article/6930.html Latif's presence on the Khalil Gibran School advisory board will give him yet another platform from which to advance his fundamentalist views - only this time within the public school system. Of note, Latif also sits on the board of the Muslim Consultative Network [MCN] which is run by Adem Carroll of the Islamic Circle of North America. http://www.mcnny.org/images/board.jpg ICNA is tied to the terrorist groups al-Qaeda, Hamas and Jamaat-e-Islamia. Just this week counter terrorism expert Joe Kaufman published an article about ICNA entitled, "Helping hand to Hamas" in which he noted, "When ICNA was created, it was to act as the American counterpart to the Muslim Brotherhood of Pakistan, Jamaat-e-Islamia (JI)." Not coincidentally KGIA principal designate Dhabah [Debbie] Almontaser) is also a MCN board member as is KGIA advisory board member Imam Talib Abdul-Rashid aka Imam Al Hajj. Imam Latif's threat, that display of a cartoon at NYU would justify violence to be unleashed against the university, brings to mind the recent high profile case of Fouad Elbayly the imam of the Islamic Center of Johnstown who attempted to halt the appearance of an Islam critic on the University of Pittsburgh campus while calling for the death of apostates. Elbayly threatened in a similar manner, "I'm trying to control my people here...I don't want them to get hot and cause trouble." Fortunately, two weeks ago Elbayly was forced to resign as a result of the controversy generated by his remarks. [source Imam Fouad Elbayly, Who Called For Death To Apostates Resigns From The Islamic Center of Johnstown, http://www.pipelinenews.org/index.cfm?page=ali51007%2Ehtm Moreover this kind of behavior demonstrates in a very concrete manner the lack of respect the Islamists who are supporting KGIA have for the U.S. Bill of Rights, starting with the First Amendment, and the presence of Khalid Latif's presence on the Khalil Gibran Advisory Board is yet more proof of the radical Islamist nature of those associated with the school. In a previous article on the subject of KGIA's ideological framework the writers demanded that Chancellor Joel Klein keep his promise and shut the school down because it intends to indoctrinate not educate http://www.pipelinenews.org/index.cfm?page=jihadschool5707.htm New York DOE Chancellor Joel Klein knows that any attempt to shut down KGIA after it is an established fact will be virtually impossible. Such efforts would inevitably be seized upon as a cause célèbre and countered with lawsuits claiming violations of free speech and bigotry. Therefore it is incumbent upon Mr. Klein to exercise his judgment now and keep his promise - "If the school becomes a political school with a political agenda - then you're absolutely right. I won't tolerate that" because the evidence demonstrating the pernicious nature of Khalil Gibran mounts with each passing day. http://www.nysun.com/article/54557 Concerned citizens should call the office of the Chancellor and demand that the KGIA plan be halted immediately as a threat to the public educational system and national security. To express your concerns about this planned Arabic school, please write the New York City chancellor, Joel Klein, at [email protected]. http://www.pipelinenews.org/index.cfm?page=jihadschool51707.htm MIM: The listserve for Khalid Latif's letter was sent by "bmujahid" and is a clearly incendiary call for jihad. Latif and Ridley were lauded by the radical Islamist Muslim Action Committee for joining their campaign for "global civility" aka dhimmitude. We'd like to congratulate NYU Muslim Chaplin Imam Khalid Latif, Sister Yvonne Ridley, Stop Political Terror and everyone who joined our email campaign to advance Global Civility at NYU. http://muslim-action-committee.blogspot.com/2006_03_01_archive.html http://tajdeed-list.net/pipermail/activists_tajdeed-list.net/2006-March/000055.html |
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Activists] LET'S SHOW THESE PEOPLE THAT IF THEY MESS WITH MUSLIMSIN NEW YORK THEY MESS WITH ALL OF US[email protected] bmujahid at amwanet.org
Wa alaikum as salaam, This is yet another provocation. The clear intention is to keep the muslim masses riled up in a state of fervor and whipped into an emotional frenzy. Then, the cameras will roll showing the "uncivilized muslim subhumans" rampaging again. Then, more blood will be shed of innocents. the poor innocents.. who are being killed each day by murderous monsters just for being muslim. Some one has decided their lives are not worth living. Now, the provocations come in relentless waves, intended to demoralize the muslims without respite. This week's provocations included manipulation of the media to force feed every viewer with the story of the death penalty imposed on the Muslim turned Christian in Afghanistan. This is of such importance that it has appeared in every major U.S. news broadcast for a period of FIVE DAYS. Could it be they hope to provoke weak minds into seeking vengeance? Today, CNN's Wolf Blitzer opened his interview with Madame Secretary Condelezza Rice by asking, "is this why we fought in Afghanistan?". Rice portended when questioned by Wolf Blizter about whether the war in Iraq was worth it and all the loss of life, that "there is no change in history that did not involve turmoil and violence." In Mde. Rice's view, as was the case with Madeline Albright, the slaughter of innocents is a worthwhile price to pay to protect American interest and create the "new Middle East". The thirst for the blood of innocents seems yet insatiable for a murderous mob. Not content with the thousands that have been killed .. the "collateral damage" reaped in the muslim lands.. they seek new provocations to justify the slaughter. We should not be fooled. Clearly, this is the game and the stakes are indeed high. Muslims need to understand the intent behind the provocation, not the causal effect. -----Original Message----- From: Muhammad Al-Massari [mailto:muhammadalmassari4 at bulldoghome.com] Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2006 11:31 AM To: Activists Subject: [Activists] LET'S SHOW THESE PEOPLE THAT IF THEY MESS WITH MUSLIMSIN NEW YORK THEY MESS WITH ALL OF US As'salaamu alaykum, Our brothers and sisters in New York desperately need our help and support. On March 29th, this Wednesday, an event is being held by a student organization at New York University called the Objectivist Club. The event's purpose is to analyze the issue of free speech with an emphasis put on the vile cartoons published in Denmark that depicted the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and Islam in a highly offensive manner. This little known student group is also planning on displaying the cartoons at the event. I joined Muslim students in an emergency meeting with the university and its administration on Friday to ensure the display will not go ahead. We did not get assurances we needed and the university hierarchy is still considering the issue. While the event itself poses no problems the pictures, as you know, are racist, offensive and will breed hate against Muslims as well as ridicule our beloved Prophet (pbuh). The students at NYU need our help to stop this disgraceful exhibition. Can we all send a simple, polite email to John Sexton <http://homemail.nyu.edu/java_script:main.compose('new','[email protected] du')> john.sexton at nyu.edu, the president of NYU, as well as Bob Butler <http://homemail.nyu.edu/java_script:parent.addSender(> bob.butler at nyu.edu , the director of student activities as NYU, letting them know your concerns. I did tell the students that I would try and rally support overseas - so let's show the NYU administration that if they mess with our brothers and sisters in New York they mess with all of us. The following is a letter that has already been sent to President Sexton earlier by the imam of the Islamic centre. Your sister in Islam Yvonne Ridley _____ Dear President Sexton, I hope all is well with you I am writing to you in regards to an event that is scheduled to take place next Wednesday at New York University. This event is being sponsored by the Objectivist Club, an OSA club, and its purpose is to analyze the issue of free speech with an emphasis put on a series of cartoons recently published in a Danish newspaper that depicted the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and Islam in a highly offensive manner. These cartoons have lead to riots, protests, beatings, and even deaths on an international level and now the idea is being discussed whether or not they should be displayed at NYU at the aforementioned event. I, for one, am all for discourse and dialogue and I would encourage the objectivist club to partake in whatever discussion they would like in terms of the cartoons. I, however, would not encourage racism is any shape or form, and to me, and many other Muslims, these cartoons are racist and we adamantly oppose their display. As such, I am asking you to not allow these cartoons to be displayed in any shape or form. The event itself and the topic that the students would like to discuss is not problematic in any way, but the pictures themselves are just hatred and there is really no justification in preaching something that breeds that kind of hate. One of the images shows what the author claims to be a rendering of the Prophet Muhammad wearing a turban that is shaped like a bomb, making it seem as if Islam is a religion that can be equated to terrorism. If ideas like that are not enough to keep these images from being displayed, the potential of what might happen after they are shown is something else that should be considered and not taken lightly. As Chaplain for the Muslim community at NYU, my primary concern would be for those undergrads, grad students, faculty, staff, and admins who are Muslim and what kind of state displaying these cartoons would leave them in. Already I have students who are shocked that it is even being considered that these cartoons would be displayed. Some are left in states of wonder, many in states of anger, but, most importantly, there are some who are afraid. They are afraid as to what kind of thoughts these images would leave in the minds of those who don?t understand Islam. They wonder what kind of verbal abuses they will be subject to, what kind of taunts and teases. They remember the days going back to September five years ago when their parents told them not to attend classes or remain hidden and not show the world that they are Muslim because they were scared of what might happen to them. They remember not being able to travel on streets alone that were once safe to them because doing so might lead to unthinkable danger. They remember being told to shave their beards and remove their headscarves so no one would notice they were there. Now they wonder if something like this would happen again and I do not have an answer for them. Aside from that, the repercussions that would take place outside of the university setting are potentially huge. All over the world Muslims have been coming together over this issue and in New York they would not hesitate in doing the same thing. New York itself is also one of the most metropolitan cities in the world and media attention that would be acquired would not limit itself to the city, but could go across the nation and even around the world as it already has with issues pertaining to these cartoons. NYU has facilities all over the world and Muslims also live all over the world. At that point in time no one will be thinking about the objectivist club that is an OSA organization made up of ten or twenty students. Rather, at that time all people will be thinking about is New York University and the decision it made. That decision however has not been made yet and I pray that, God-willing, when it is made, it will be the best one. I would welcome the opportunity to further discuss this with you at your convenience, or anyone else whom you could direct me to. I thank you for your time and consideration and look forward to hearing from you soon. Best regards, Khalid Latif _____ If there was ever a time to stand up for anyone, the time would be now. Racism that exists in any kind of form, against any people is never justified and these images are racist in nature, specifically against the Muslim community. Together we should stand up not just for our sake and for the sake of those around us, but also for the sake of our prophet alayhi salaam. Be you brown, black, yellow, or white, Allah has given us all the oppurtunity to protect the image of His most beloved, and it is upon us as individuals to decide how we respond. As i mentioned to president sexton, i mention to you all as well: I pray that inshallah all of our responses, when made, are the best ones. Should you have any questions, comments or concerns, feel free to contact me at the information below. jazakumullah khairun was'salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah Khalid Latif _____ Khalid Latif New York University Chaplain Islamic Center at NYU (732).904.1927 www.icnyu.org/chaplain www.icnyuchaplain.blogspot.com <http://www.icnyuchaplain.blogspot.com/> MIM: Khalid Latif is a member of the Muslim Consultative Network an arm of the Islami Circle of North America tied to Al Qaeda. KGIA principal designate Almontaser and Imam Talib Abdul-Rashid are board members. For more on the ICNA see:"Helping Hand for Hamas" by Joe Kaufman. (link above) http://www.mcnny.org/images/board.jpg Debbie Almontaser
Ms. Almontaser also serves as a consultant to Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. Muslim American Series Project, Independent Production Fund's Islam Project, Educators for Social Responsibility, the Interfaith Center of NYC, and the Church Avenue Merchants Block Association's (CAMBA, Inc.) Diversity Project. She sits on the board of The Dialogue Project, Women In Islam Inc., among other organizations. She is also a co-founder of Brooklyn Bridges, The September 11th Curriculum Project, Justice for Detainees, and the We Are All Brooklyn Coalition. Ms. Almontaser co-designed and developed a curriculum for the Muslim Communities Project at Columbia University and for Educators for Social Responsibility/Metro. During her Revson year, she took courses from the International Center for Cooperation & Conflict Resolution (ICCCR) at Teachers College and received a Certificate in Conflict Resolution in the field of conflict resolution exploring local and global conflicts as well as the various mediation models. Imam Talib Imam Al-Hajj Talib 'Abdur-Rashid is the religious and spiritual leader of The Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood in Harlem, New York City. He has been a Sunni Muslim since 1971, a member of the mosque since that time, and its imam since 1989. Imam Talib 'Abdur-Rashid is also the Amir (leader) of the Harlem Shura, a coalition of seven Harlem mosques. He has been the chairman of the Justice Committee of the Majlis Ash-Shura (Islamic Leadership Council) of New York, and Deputy Amir of The Muslim Alliance in North America. In Early 2006 he was appointed Deputy Amir of the Majlis Ash Shura. Partnerships, Talks and Training Imam Talib also serves on or advises several interfaith bodies located in New York City. They include Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, A Partnership of Faith in New York City, The Temple of Understanding, The Interfaith Center of New York, The N.Y.C. Dept. of Education Chancellor's Interfaith Advisory Committee to the NYC Dept. of Education, and the Bertram Beck Institute on Religion and Poverty. He has given sermons and lectures in Mosques, Churches and Synagogues throughout New York City and beyond. Further, he was a presenter at the Parliament of World Religions in both Chicago (1993) and Capetown, South Africa (1999). He was also the key American Muslim speaker at the International Conference on Religious Pluralism in Democratic Societies, in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia in 2002. One of the original Muslim participants in the Harlem Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, the Imam has served as a counselor to and advocate for Muslims living with AIDS, and their families, since 1990. He is the co-founder of the African-African American Commission on HIV/AIDS , Prevention and African Orphans. Imam 'Abdur-Rashid has also has served the city and state prisoners of New York as a Muslim Chaplain, since 1977. He worked in that capacity at the Sing-Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York for 11 years, and is currently a part-time employee for the New York City Department of Corrections. As a religious activist for human rights, social justice, and the liberation of his people, Imam Talib is a member of the National Committee to Free Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin (the former H. "Rap" Brown). The Imam's work has been the object of several featured articles in the New York Times , and is featured in the books American Islam, by Richard Wormser, Working on God, by Winifred Gallagher, Restoring Faith: America's Religious Leaders Answer Terror with Hope edited by Forrest Church. He is the author of the forthcoming books, Social Justice According to the Prophetic Paradigm, and Reclaimed Legacy: Muslim Indigenous and Immigrant Peoples and The History of Al-Islam in America . He is also the host of a monthly Harlem-based radio show, entitled "Prophetic Echoes". . Adem Carroll MCN Board Chair From 2001-2006, Adem Carroll served as 911 Relief Programs Coordinator for Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA Relief USA). Through the 911 Detainees Program, he has directly provided emergency legal and financial help to over 800 detainees and their families since 9/11. This program was funded by the Rockefeller Foundation and the United Methodists (UMCOR) 9/11 program; as well assisted by donations from the Muslim community. This program also expanded partnership with civil liberties and human rights groups and advocated in media for justice and basic decency in the face of widespread anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant backlash after 9/11. Adem also worked to expand interfaith dialogue and dialogue with law enforcement, civic participation, and to promote intra community dialogue. Adem also has been responsible for the 9/11 Case Management program called Muslims ACT (Access Through Training), working to provide direct assistance, counseling and referrals and to encourage social services capacity building in an underserved community, outreach to mosques and community education. This program continues post 9/11 recovery case management originally funded by the September 11 Fund to provide Case Management to Muslims, Arabs, South Asians and many other underserved communities impacted by the disaster. (See www.reliefonline.org) Adem received a Masters degree in Near Eastern Studies at NYU, after completing Peace Corps service in Morocco. He then worked in a number of human rights and a variety of community based non-profits as well as teaching positions in Istanbul and in New York. After several years of Brooklyn based AmeriCorps program work, he joined ICNA Relief. Adem is also member of the board of New York Disaster Interfaith Services, Turning Point for Women and Families and has been active with other coalitions as well. He writes a weekly column in The Mirror, for other publications such as the Message, and co-hosts a monthly program on WBAI called "War On Immigrants Report." See ( www.wbai.org) |
May 17, 2007 - San Francisco, CA - PipeLineNews.org - During the height of the Danish cartoon controversy imam Khalid Latif - an advisory board member of New York's proposed Khalil Gibran school [and chaplain at NYU, NYPD and Rutgers university] - protested a NYU student group's intent to display the drawings by drafting an incendiary letter to university's president John Sexton which contained veiled threats of violence. 
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