LACP.org
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City Council Members Apologize for
and Retract Anti-Muslim Resolution
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City Council Members Apologize for
and Retract Anti-Muslim Resolution

from Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) news

September 12, 2003

The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) and L.A. City Council Members Antonio Villaraigosa and Jan Perry held a Press Conference at the Islamic Center of Southern California to apologize for an Anti-Muslim City Council Resolution that both City Council members had signed on to by mistake.

The motion, drafted by homeless advocate Ted Hayes, said in part that "in remembering the victims of Sept. 11 we also remember and acknowledge the truth as to who the perpetrators themselves claim to be, that is, Muslims, carrying out the will of the Deity of their religion known as Islam."

It went on to say that Muslims should "intensify their denouncements of those members within their religion and community who continue to engage in acts of terror throughout the world."

Both Villaraigosa and Perry said they did not read the statement carefully before they signed it and never would have signed it had they done so.

The Council Members were flanked by Rabbi Allan Freehling, Executive Director of the LA City Human Relations Commission, who was representing L.A. Mayor James K. Hahn, Ban Al-Wardi, President of the L.A./Orange County chapter of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Najee Ali from Project Islamic H.O.P.E., Dr. Maher Hathout, Spokesman for the Islamic Center of Southern CA and Senior Advisor to the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), Salam Al-Marayati, Executive Director of MPAC and Sarah Eltantawi, Communications Director of MPAC.

The Communications Director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Sarah Eltantawi, opened the press conference by saying that the notion that Muslims had not condemned 9-11 was a canard and a lie promoted either by opportunists or out of ignorance. Eltantawi referenced MPAC's track record, a 60-page bibliography that documents press conferences, statements, forums and publications that addressed the issue of counterterrorism and the scourge of terrorism stretching back into the late 1980's.

Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa profusely apologized for the mix-up, saying that American Muslims were a vibrant part of Los Angeles who played a central role in healing the city after 9-11. Villaraigosa repeatedly stressed that it is not true that American Muslims did not condemn 9-11.

Councilwoman Jan Perry reiterated these sentiments, adding, "I would like to make clear that the responsibility to introduce the motion in question was mine and mine alone."

In a statement Perry released on 9-11-03, Perry said: "I would like to renounce the press release, dated September 11, 2003, drafted by Ted Hayes, the coordinator of the '9/11 Sunrise Vigil.' Mr. Hayes' press release was offensive and did not represent the opinions of any of the elected officials or city officials referenced in the text. In fact, the press release was distributed to the news media without the approval of that reference therein. The Muslim community deserves the respect due to all people and I am committed to working to end all forms of hatred and intolerance.

"The intention of the resolution was to commemorate this tragic event and remember lost loved ones. We all share in this loss and I know that the Muslim community has been an active part of this worldwide mourning process and has aggressively condemned the tragedy of '9/11.' I will remove this motion from consideration as it is not representative of my beliefs and is patently offensive."

Dr. Maher Hathout, representing the Islamic Center of Southern California and the Muslim Public Affairs Council, urged that the city council undergo sensitivity training and co-sponsor a forum on Counterterrorism with MPAC. Hathout added that MPAC had just released a new Counterterrorism paper, available on MPAC's website.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: As a matter of policy the MPAC DOES NOT accept any funding from foreign governments. The Muslim Public Affairs Council relies on your financial support to sustain its activities and represent the sentiments and interests of American Muslims, not foreign governments.

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To find out more about the
Muslim Public Affairs Council
please visit their website:

http://www.mpac.org

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