CAIR-FL Asks Brevard Co. Officials to Drop Hate Group's Event with Anti-Muslim Prof
Brevard County Commission urged to deny taxpayer-funded platform for hate speech
( TAMPA, FL, 8/9/13) - The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) today called on the Brevard County Commission not to provide a taxpayer-funded platform for the anti-Muslim hate group ACT! for America and for University of Central Florida (UCF) professor Jonathan Matusitz, who claims Muslims "procreate like Mushrooms after the rain" and that "the problem is Islam."
ACT! for America will host Matusitz at an August 13 event in the County Commission's Meeting Room in Viera, Fla. Matusitz is scheduled to speak about "The Islamic Threat to America" and why Islam is "not a religion of peace."
"ACT! for America and Mr. Matusitz are free to spew their anti-Muslim hate in any private venue they choose, but offering them a taxpayer-funded platform creates the unfortunate perception that county officials endorse their extremist views," said CAIR-South Florida Executive Director Nezar Hamze.
ACTION REQUESTED:
(As always, be POLITE and respectful.)
Contact Commissioner Mary Bolin Lewis, District 4, Viera, Fla., Email: D4.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us,
COPY TO: D1.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us, D2.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us, D3.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us, D5.Commissioner@brevardcounty.us, info@cair.com, Tel: (321) 633-2044]
In June, CAIR-FL called on UCF to review the accuracy and objectivity of information offered to students in courses taught by Matusitz, an associate professor in the UCF Nicholson School of Communication and "membership director" for ACT! for America.
Among Matusitz's bizarre claims is that Germany will "become an Islamic republic by 2050." Florida Republicans chose to cancel the same scheduled lecture by Matusitz finding him to be "bashing a religion practiced by many here."
Hamze noted that ACT! for America leader Hanah Kahwagi Tudor, who goes by the pseudonym "Brigitte Gabriel," says an American Muslim "cannot be a loyal citizen" and that Islam is the "real enemy." She once told the Australian Jewish News: "Every practicing Muslim is a radical Muslim." Tudor also claimed that "Islamo-fascism is a politically-correct word...it's the vehicle for Islam. . .Islam is the problem." The New York Times describes Gabriel as a "radical Islamophobe" who in the past has made statements like "Arabs have no soul" and "Arabs are barbarians."
When asked whether Americans should "resist Muslims who want to seek political office in this nation," Gabriel said, "Absolutely."
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Tampa Executive Director Hassan Shibly, 813-541-4321,hshibly@cair.com; CAIR-South Florida Executive Director Nezar Hamze,954-673-9459, nhamze@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com
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