Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
Protesters urge boycott of Islamic cleric’s prayer
A handful of protesters urged members of the Virginia House of Delegates to boycott the start of Thursday’s session because a Muslim imam from Falls Church had been invited to give the opening prayer.
Islamic cleric Johari Abdul-Malik was invited by Delegate Adam Ebbin, D-Arlington, to open the House session by delivering the invocation. This was the only prayer given by a Muslim clergyman during the 2010 session.
The Virginia Anti-Shariah Task Force held a press conference outside the Capitol to protest Abdul-Malik’s invitation, saying he has connections to terrorism. James Lafferty, who chairs the Alexandria-based group, urged legislators to stop the imam from leading the prayer in the General Assembly.
“We’re here today to ask elected legislators of Virginia to reject the idea of having a radical imam open the session,” Lafferty said.
He said hundreds of people called the offices of legislators, urging them to boycott the invocation. Lafferty said he believes inviting Abdul-Malik was inappropriate.
“This lends an aura of respectability to someone who doesn’t deserve it,” Lafferty said. “This man has cheered on people who want to kill the United States president.”
Two hijackers involved in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks worshipped briefly at the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, with which Abdul-Malik is affiliated. Abdul-Malik was not associated with the mosque when the 9/11 hijackers worshipped there.
Abdul-Malik has publicly denounced terrorism and advocates nonviolence. He also has advocated fair treatment for Muslims accused of terrorism.
About five demonstrators attended the press conference. They included Denise Lee of Woodbridge. She is a member of the Northern Virginia chapter of ACT! for America, which describes itself as a “collective voice for the democratic values of Western Civilization and against the threat of radical Islam.”
Lee held a sign that read, “Mr. Ebbin, Why are you harboring a Jihadist supporter?”
During Thursday’s prayer in the House Chamber, Abdul-Malik urged lawmakers “to go beyond tolerance to understanding.” He said that instead of hate, “let us show love. Where there is fear, let us find faith.”
Of the 100 House members, about a dozen seats were empty during the imam’s prayer. That’s about normal for an invocation.
Ebbin was among the delegates who joined Abdul-Malik in saying “Amen” as the prayer concluded.
Ebbin did not criticize the legislators who missed the invocation.
“It’s certainly people’s right to participate,” said Ebbin. “I’m not going to judge my colleagues who chose not to participate.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.