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"As
Americans, we cherish our freedom to worship and we remain
committed to welcoming individuals of all religions," Bush
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By
Mustafa Abdel Halim, IOL Staff
WASHINGTON,
October 27 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - U.S. Muslim
organizations are considering to boycott an annual White House Iftar in
protest at President George W. Bush's internal and foreign policies.
The
boycott calls are sponsored by four small Muslim organizations,
including Project Islamic H.O.P.E, and Muslim Electorate's Council of
America.
"If
we attend the dinner, this will be used to validate all for President
George W. Bush's policy at home and abroad, which the best words to
describe are harmful and disastrous," Rashad Ali, of the Project
Islamic, told IslamOnline.net Monday, October 27.
Ali
dismissed Bush's greetings sent to world Muslims for the beginning of
the holy month of Ramadan this week, accusing the move as tactical
before the coming Presidential elections and after the widely-criticized
invasion of Iraq.
"So,
we call on Muslim American leadership to send a message to President
Bush that we will no longer suffer and be mistreated by his
administrations unfair domestic and foreign policies," he said.
The
reaction to the boycott calls have not yet been clear, but CAIR, the
largest Islamic civil rights and advocacy group in the U.S., is yet to
decide on the issue.
Other
Islamic leaders in the United States believed the boycott is rather of a
symbolic significance.
"It
could show the administration could stand united, but it has much less
of tangible effects as Iftar is not the end of the road between Islamic
organizations and the administration," a prominent figure of a
leading Islamic organization told IOL, on condition of anonymity.
“But
still, the boycott calls should be taken seriously, as there are great
dissatisfaction among Muslim Americans with the Bush administration's
record of human rights and a biased foreign policy,” he added.
"Bush
and his administration’s failure to address American Muslims domestic
and foreign policy concerns can no longer be accepted," read a
press news release carried by CAIR, whose leaders were keen to assure
IOL that it still considers the whole issue, promising a final say
Tuesday morning.
"President
Bush's public statements have consistently portrayed Islam as a peaceful
religion that has been hijacked by the forces of terrorism. But his
official policies have done little to mark that distinction," it
added.
The
statement said the White House recess appointment of Daniel Pipes to the
board of directors of the U.S. Institute of Peace, was a slap in the
face to the Muslim community.
Pipes
has a long documented history of attacking
Islam and a number of Islamic, Christian, Jewish, and interfaith groups as
well as a number of editorial boards including the Washington Post and
the Chicago Tribune all opposed the nomination of Pipes.
But
Bush ignored the calls to rescind the appointment.
The
statement also made a mention of the Defense Department inviting the Rev
Franklin Graham,
to deliver the 2003 Good Friday homily at the Pentagon.
Graham
has called Islam a "Very evil and wicked religion" bent on
"world domination", read the statement, adding many Islamic
groups urged the Pentagon chaplain's office to disinvite the clergyman,
but to no avail.
The
Bush administration also refused to reassign William G. Boykin whose
promotion and confirmation was confirmed by the Senate in June, after he
said publicly
that he sees the God of Muslims as no more than an "idol".
Boykin
praised along in the statements the leadership of President Bush, whom
he extolled as "a man who prays in the Oval Office."
The
statement also said the Bush administration unfair foreign policy is
responsible for the deaths of innocent Muslims overseas.
Introspection
Bush
said in the Friday message to Muslims that Ramadan " provides
Muslims a time to focus on their faith and practice God's
commands".
"Through
fasting, prayer, contemplation, and charity, Muslims around the world
renew their commitment to lead lives of honesty, integrity, and
compassion," the U.S. President was quoted by Agence France-Presse
(AFP) as saying.
Bush
reiterated his belief that Islam was a peaceful religion, and people who
practice the Islamic faith have made great contributions to the welfare
of the United States and the world.
"As
Americans, we cherish our freedom to worship and we remain committed to
welcoming individuals of all religions," the president continued.
"By
working together to advance freedom and mutual understanding, we are
creating a brighter future of hope and opportunity," he added.
But
many American Muslim citizens and leaders received the speech a bit
spastically, saying it is nothing but a lip service.
"It
is not important what Bush says, but what he does," said Ali of
Project Islamic
The
start of the holy month during which Muslims refrain from food until
sunset depends on the lunar calendar and the sighting of the new moon,
which can vary from country to country.
In
Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Sudan and Yemen, Sunday marked the beginning of
the fast.
In
the six Gulf monarchies - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates,
Bahrain, Qatar and Oman - as well as Lebanon, Syria and Shiite Iran,
Ramadan began Monday.
