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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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