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Militant Islam Monitor > Articles > Congressman Sherman tells MPAC to "severe connection with Hathout brothers" after attempt to block Emerson testimony

Congressman Sherman tells MPAC to "severe connection with Hathout brothers" after attempt to block Emerson testimony

July 30, 2008

Congressman Sherman Turns the Tables on MPAC


Group Tried to Block Emerson Testimony

July 30, 2008
http://www.investigativeproject.org/article/734

Note: This is a verbatim news release from U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)

For Immediate Release

July 30, 2008

Muslim Public Affairs Council Tries to Halt Congressman Sherman's Hearings

Sherman Oaks, CA – On Tuesday, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) demonstrated in front of the Office of Congressman Brad Sherman, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism and Nonproliferation. The demonstrators demanded the cancellation of a subcommittee hearing on whether American foreign aid is going to organizations affiliated with terrorists.

"This hearing will go on. We need to make sure that the State Department is not giving U.S. tax dollars to those on the other side in the war on terrorism," said Sherman. "I know there are many in our community so desperate for peace that they want us to sweep under the rug the pro-terrorism positions of some groups. There are groups in the Islamic world truly dedicated to peace, but we should not blind ourselves to the fact that some are not."

The day of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, MPAC executive Salam Al-Marayati created a furor when he stated on a Los Angeles radio program, "If we are going to look at suspects, we should look at groups that benefit the most from these kinds of incidents, and I think we should put the State of Israel on the suspect list…"[1]

Two brothers have played a critical role in leading MPAC. Maher Hathout is a senior adviser and one of the founders of MPAC, while his brother Hassan Hathout served as MPAC's president.

In the "about the authors" section of his book, Hassan Hathout is described as "a close disciple of the late Hassan Al-Banna of Egypt,"[2] the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Maher Hathout has praised Hassan Al-Turabi as a reformist working for peace and justice for all.[3] Hassan Al-Turabi was head of the Sudan National Islamic Front (NIF) which the U.S. government condemned for supporting terrorism, and for launching a genocidal war in southern Sudan. Al-Turabi has been described as the "power behind the throne" in Sudan during the 1990s, as leader of the NIF and as Speaker of the National Assembly.[4] Turabi gave Osama Bin Laden sanctuary in Sudan.[5]

Maher Hathout has also asserted that "Hezbollah is fighting for freedom" and that the organization is "very American".[6] In fact, Hezbollah is listed by the State Department as a terrorist organization.

"The Muslim Public Affairs Council should apologize for the statements of its executive director on September 11, 2001, and should disown and sever all connection with the Hathout brothers," said Sherman.

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[1] Larry Stammer, "After the Attack: Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Newly Tested," The Los Angeles Times, September 22, 2001.

[2] Hassan Hathout, Maher Hathout, and Fathi Osman, In Fraternity: A Message to Muslims in America, The Minaret Publishing House, 1989.

[3] The Minaret, July-August 1997, p.20.

[4] Human Rights Watch Bio of Turabi online at http://www.hrw.org/press/2002/03/turabi-bio.htm.

[5] Human Rights Watch Bio of Turabi online at http://www.hrw.org/press/2002/03/turabi-bio.htm.

[6] Maher Hathout, Debate on Terrorism, L.A. radio station, November 13, 1998, posted on the Voice of Islam website.

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MIM: The Islamic Society of North America's ' Urgent Action Alert' prompting supporters to protest Steven Emerson's testimony.

http://www.isna.net/articles/News/URGENT-ACTION-ALERT-DEMAND-RESPONSIBLE-TESTIMONY-IN-FIGHT-AGAINST-TERRORISM.aspx

URGENT ACTION ALERT: DEMAND RESPONSIBLE TESTIMONY IN FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

Self proclaimed terrorist expert Steven Emerson is scheduled to testify this Thursday, July 31st, in a congressional hearing entitled "Foreign Aid and the Fight Against Terrorism and Proliferation: Leveraging Foreign Aid to Achieve U.S. Policy Goals" Emerson has a formidable history of attacking Islam and Muslims in America under the guise of his alleged expertise. Those familiar with Emerson's legacy state his lack of credentials in foreign aid and foreign policy and are concerned that his testimony will feed Islamaphobia.

The Islamic Society of North America encourages it members and all Americans to contact Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), chairman of the "House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade", convener of the panel, and request that balanced, qualified testimony be included in the panel or the session be canceled. ISNA is concerned that Emerson's hate mongering will deter responsible policy making, impede effective security, and detrimentally affect American Muslims.

Contact Congressman Brad Sherman by phone or fax now before Thursday's session.

Washington, D.C. Office
2242 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515-0524
Phone: (202) 225-5911
FAX: (202) 225-5879

San Fernando Valley Office
5000 Van Nuys Blvd. Suite 420
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Phone: (818) 501-9200
FAX: (818) 501-1554

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