CAIR Joins Interfaith Leaders in Condemning ‘Obsession’
Washington, DC: The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) October 7 joined dozens of national Jewish, Christian and Muslim interfaith leaders in condemning the distribution of the anti-Muslim film “Obsession” to 28 million households in presidential election swing states nationwide.
A statement, issued at a news conference held by the Interfaith Alliance in Washington, DC, read in part:
“We, the undersigned religious leaders, representing a wide spectrum of theological beliefs and political persuasions, have come together in moral consensus to voice our deep concern over the recent distribution of a deeply divisive and anger-provoking DVD called ‘Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West’ to residents across the United States.
“The singular impact of this DVD is not to fight our common threat of terrorism, but to mischaracterize Islam in a way that de-humanizes Muslims...
“’Obsession’ serves as a divisive political ploy that undermines the integrity of American religious pluralism. Indeed, it is the duty of every American to stand against those who would divide our common and cherished beliefs by inciting fear and furthering ignorant stereotypes.”
CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad is a signatory to the joint statement, which was coordinated by the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC).
To read the entire statement, click here.
Over the weekend, CAIR released a statement by Howard Gordon, the executive producer of Fox’s drama “24,” in which he withdrew his endorsement of “Obsession.” Gordon said that “the goal of co-existence and tolerance is not being served by films like Obsession."
CAIR noted that others are withdrawing their support for the film that many commentators have called anti-Muslim “propaganda.” Even a pro-Israel think tank, the Endowment for Middle East Truth (EMET), pulled out of “The Obsession Project.”
Dr. Khaleel Mohammed, a Muslim interviewee for “Obsession,” now calls the production a "vile piece of propaganda." In a statement sent to the website www.obsessionwithhate.com, Dr. Mohammed said: “Sadly, it would seem that I have allowed myself to be used.”
SEE: Statement of Dr. Khaleel Mohammed
The “Obsession with Hate” site was launched recently by the Hate Hurts America Multifaith Community Coalition (HHA), a group of religious and civic organizations seeking to challenge hate speech in our society.
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