Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser

Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser Exposed: an Overdue Reality Check 

Written by: Mohamed Tammam (Full Version)

Part One: Dr. Zuhdi Jasser and the debate with Imam Mohamed Al-Darsani

 Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, the Great hope for America and Islam; as some would have you believe. In this article we will examine the ideas and methods that define Dr. Jasser, as well as his struggle to redefine Islam and its message. We will critically analyze his opinions, arguments and discuss his use of intellectual aggression and fear to promote hatred towards everyone who opposes his views. Additionally, you will receive an insider’s look at the public debate between Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser and Imam Mohamed Al-Darsani of the Islamic Center for PEACE in Fort Myers, Florida.

It’s important to know the storyline to the debate, without which you may easily fall victim to half truths and twisted semantics that will easily drive you insane. It’s also important to explain, the now apparent motives behind Dr. Jasser’s eagerness and willingness to participate in this debate. On October 10, 2008 a documentary film entitled “The Third Jihad” will be released nationwide. The pre-release trailer includes a segment taken from the debate, and given the past misinformation presented by the creators of the film, as well as their claim that “The Third Jihad” is a unique look into the Islamist mindset within America. It’s almost certain that footage from the debate has been selected and edited into the film that may shape an untrue portrayal of Imam Al-Darsani.

 The debate occurred on April 5, 2008 at Edison College in Naples Florida. It set Imam Mohamed Al-Darsani of the Islamic Center for PEACE against Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, a frequent pundit for many mainstream news channels and a praised Islamic Reformer of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy. The purpose of the debate was to answer this question “Is the establishment of an Islamic state a clear and ideological threat to the United States?”. Dr. Jasser was arguing the affirmative and Imam Al-Darsani the negative.

Imam Al-Darsani and members of the Islamic Center for PEACE had attended a meeting designed as a National Security Briefing hosted by the Florida Security Council. At which Dr. Jasser was indentified and introduced as an expert about Islam and Islamic Terrorism. In his speech he gave praise and supported the documentary film entitled “Obsession: Radical Islam’s War against the West”. This film is important because his support and praise for its content speaks directly to his lack of sincerity and his ignorance surrounding the very issues he writes and speaks about day after day.  The video contains numerous verified lies. One example is a note written in Arabic. The makers of Obsession claim that the note is about Jihad and Islamic domination. They go as far as to place the note on screen beside an English translated quote stating “This religion [Islam] will destroy all other religions through the Islamic Jihad fighters.” This quote is credited to a Jordanian and Palestinian school book. Contrary to what the creators proclaim, the text is actually an excerpt from an Arabic book and when accurately translated from Arabic to English it describes how racial discrimination corrupts society citing Nazism and Zionism as examples.  At no time is there any mention of Jihad or the destruction of any religion.

 During his speech Dr. Jasser also arrogantly insisted that no Islamic leaders would engage him or his ideas publicly. When the audience was given an opportunity to speak, Imam Al-Darsani invited Dr. Jasser to discuss issues in the form of a dialog. It’s also important to note that Dr. Jasser didn’t initially accept this invitation. Rather it was the director of the Florida Security Council, Mr. Tom Trento, who accepted for him, on stage, before consulting with Dr. Jasser who then agreed. This is in stark contrast to what Dr. Jasser said on the Radio during an interview with Mandy Connell of Fort Myers, Fl. the day prior to the event on Connell’s morning radio show “DAYBREAK.” Dr. Jasser is quoted as saying “…basically I challenged him (Imam Al-Darsani) to a debate… I said well if you feel this is not a problem let’s debate it…when we came up to this Debate, when I challenged him, and he finally, he agreed, he says why should we air our dirty laundry, and you know Muslims debating Muslims is, is not good…”  Perhaps Dr. Jasser has forgotten, but every meeting and every encounter that members of the Islamic Center for PEACE had with him or the Florida Security Council was videotaped. Additionally, much of the recorded evidence is available online for anyone to verify at www.ic-peace.com, including Imam Al-Darsani inviting Dr. Jasser to this debate. This was not a simple slip of wording. In fact he makes the exact same claim in his first column about Imam Al-Darsani that was published immediately after the debate. When the Islamic Center for PEACE was granted an opportunity to speak with Mandy Connell on her show, even Miss. Connell indicated that she knew Dr. Jasser did not issue the “challenge” as Dr. Jasser has inferred.

 It’s saddening to see a respected doctor of Medicine who constantly claim’s the moral high ground stoop so low in a pathetic attempt to gain notoriety at the expense his own moral courage and credibility. Over what? Why would he do this? If his message is so sound and he’s so sure that he’s right. Then why go to great lengths in order to flip the truth, especially over a matter that holds no real significance?

Dr. Jasser’s article titled “The War of Ideas: Revealing the Moral Weakness and Hypocrisy of the Islamist Imam” is a humorous attempt to vilify an honorable and well respected man, Imam Mohamed Al-Darsani. He makes claims that imply Imam Al-Darsani gives political sermons and uses his pulpit to promote apologetic ideas that gives support to the killing of innocent civilians. All of which is completely fabricated. Dr. Jasser must provide evidence to these baseless claims, or retract these statements. At no time has Dr. Jasser listened to Imam Al-Darsani’s sermons nor had he ever met Imam Al-Darsani prior to the first event in Naples (National Security Briefing).

Actually, Dr. Jasser is referring to Imam Al-Darsani’s statements from the debate itself, which was not a religious debate, but a debate about secular ideas and theocratic states. It’s interesting to note that if you read Dr. Jasser’s article, he quotes Imam Al-Darsani in an attempt to give credit to his preposterous claims. However, it does not take a Medical Doctor to figure out that he had to dig deep and stretch the truth to even come close. His line of quotations is so scattered that anyone should find it quite amusing.  The Islamic Center for PEACE has encouraged everyone to watch the debate for themselves in its entirety to preserve the context of any statements that were made. While watching the debate it becomes blatantly obvious that Dr. Jasser took a multitude of quotes and stuck them together to create his own version of what was said. However, it is somewhat understandable that he is so confused. During the debate he seemed entirely concerned with bombarding Imam Al-Darsani with random and unrelated questions, while refusing to allow him time to answer any of them fully. One particular question was concerning the condemnation of the killing of innocent civilians. Imam Al-Darsani said “Anybody who targets innocent people, whoever they are, wherever they are, whether it’s from Hamas, the Islamic Jihad, or anybody who claims he’s acting within his faith and targets an innocent people, he is a terrorist.” Not happy with this answer Dr. Jasser attempted to twist the question repeatedly until the audience became fed up, and many people shouted, “He already answered it”. At that moment it became apparent that Dr. Jasser was not there to educate, or to have an exchange of ideas. He was there to promote an agenda, a very corrupt and misleading agenda. One which will manifest itself in the upcoming documentary film “The Third Jihad”

Part Two: What you want to hear at the expense of the truth!

  It’s a sad fact that Dr. Jasser has been given national exposure and is respected by many as a spokesperson for Islam in America.  By his own admission he had no Islamic Training. Everything he knows about Islam was taught to him by his father and self education. After having the opportunity to speak with him and to ask him the tough questions about Islam, one realizes that his understanding of Islam is no better than someone who took a basic introductory course in the subject of Islam. In addition, Dr. Jasser has limited knowledge of the Arabic language and mingles Islam with numerous twisted ideas, unrelated to Islam on contemporary and social problems, and therefore should not be misconceived as an expert in Islam. In a private dinner meeting with Dr. Jasser, Imam Al-Darsani, and members of both the Florida Security Council, and the Islamic Center for PEACE, he proudly proclaimed that he had been debating Imams since he was fourteen years old. To any objective person, this should sound alarming. At the age of fourteen, how many Christian preachers have you seen? How many Jewish Rabbis have you seen? How many Bishops, Cardinals, or Popes have you seen? It’s extremely unreasonable to suggest that a fourteen year old child has the range of knowledge necessary to accurately and effectively understand the entire faith of Islam, and to have a better understanding than those who have dedicated their entire lives to studying, practicing, and preaching the faith.

 Dr. Jasser’s actions are unbelievable, and he should be ashamed of himself. His article about Imam Al-Darsani amounted to nothing more than to that of a child in a school yard calling other kids cruel names. His speeches and articles draw on emotions and are drafted to promote himself as an authority in both Islam and American Policy concerning Islam. Of which he most certainly is not. People expect more. They at least expect the truth. Dr. Jasser has perfected the art of telling his listeners and viewers what they want to hear regardless of how things really are. He lacks concern for reality and dismisses vital facts and historical precedence about authentic Islam. This is highlighted in his inability to separate Islam from the actions of secular governments who simply happen to have a majority Muslim population. His assertions are based on loose assumptions and a personal interpretation of history, which is unbecoming of an educated man.

 If anyone considers the crusades, the inquisition, or the world wars, one would be hard pressed to convince individuals that these actions are becoming of Christian values. In reality, they were perpetrated mostly by people who considered themselves Christian or of other religious backgrounds. Christianity as a faith did not teach or permit the crusades or the inquisition, and religion most certainly did neither for the two world wars. That’s why it’s important to note that when people claim to act out of their faith, if they are acting out of the context of its boundaries, they are not adhering to their faith at all. Islam is no exception! It should be known that Dr. Jasser can’t make the distinction between Islam and the actions of people who happen to claim Islam as their faith even when their actions suggest otherwise.

 Another unfortunate reality is that Dr. Jasser’s family was tormented in Syria. It’s understandable that he and his family may have resentment towards the Middle East and more specifically Syria. That does not give him the right to dismiss fourteen hundred years of scholarly research and rewrite the history of Islam according to his own misguided interpretations.  As already suggested Dr. Jasser proved in the debate that he cannot make any distinctions between Islam and the horrible actions of the secular governments that are ruled by ruthless dictators throughout the Middle East. His persistent claims, that the governments of the Middle East are ruled under Islam are false. The the governments in the Middle East are actually largely secular and do not represent Islam as a faith. In fact their actions are often well outside the boundaries of Islam.  His delusions are an obvious backlash; he has been tainted by an unfortunate past and now seeks to take his frustrations out on Islamic leaders who do not agree with his ideology concerning Islam.

 Part Three: History’s repeating itself, and we’re buying it

 Sadly, because of Dr. Jasser’s rank in the military, his medical training, and his Ultra Neo Conservative talking points, Dr. Jasser has been proclaimed by the media and the government as a Great Hope for Islam. He is not the first person to mislead the American People, nor will he be the last. Prior to the War in Iraq, Ahmad Chalabi sold the United States and its unsuspecting citizens the same rhetoric that Dr. Jasser regurgitates day after day. However, when all was said and done, the end game was nothing but garbage, lies, and millions of people displaced and or killed. Dr. Jasser sees secularism as the answer to the world’s problems. Imam Al-Darsani stated clearly that he supported the U.S. Constitution and he has taken an oath in front of God to defend it. The main difference is that Imam Al-Darsani has not forgotten his faith. He places his priorities as such. God, Family, and then Country, as any religious person would. Dr. Jasser has placed his faith in God in the back seat and has made a conscious decision to support secularism as a supreme authority to all else. This is his right as an American.

Dr. Jasser is a pioneer and at the forefront of a new age of McCarthyism. His rants and use of erroneous labels such as Islamist, Political Islam, Radical Islamist, Political Imam, and countless other names mimic that of Senator Joseph McCarthy who “cried wolf" time and time again. McCarthy labeled and falsely accused everyone who opposed his meritless views and ideas. Without evidence and based solely on his own judgment he striped citizens of their rights. He made claims that this course of action was in the best interest of and for the security of America. He proclaimed at will, that those he disliked were communist or communist sympathizers, secretly undermining the United States and Democracy. He succeeded in creating an imaginary army of committed red coats that were operating in the United States and were bent on its destruction.

Dr. Jasser has adopted McCarthy’s senseless doctrine of baseless intellectual aggression. He capitalizes on the fact that the majority of his listeners can‘t understand Arabic and have at most a limited knowledge about the true religion of Islam. This allows him to easily deceive the good people of America that sympathize with what he says. He gets away with it because day after day the American people are subjected to anti-Islamic propaganda that intertwines secular cultures and societies into Islam. Rather than properly educate and clarify the faith, he calls his own (Islam), Dr. Jasser chooses to grab the torch of deception and rally for the call of Islamic Reformation, when he should be calling for the resurgence of the true Islam! Imam Al-Darsani indicated that this resurgence indeed fits well within the mold of modern political thought and American Democracy. Dr. Jasser severely mischaracterized a reference made by Imam Al-Darsani concerning George Washington and the American founding fathers. The Imam praised the efforts and intentions of George Washington and the founding fathers for their moral courage to stand against established injustices regardless of domestic or foreign pressure, oppression, and persecution. Dr. Jasser however, would much rather blur the truth to support and further his new age McCarthy like movement. His supporters demand a show, and it seems that even at the expense of the truth, and regardless of how out of context he actually is, he will perform.

History has proven that Dr. Jasser’s tactics of intimidation and childish name calling are a proven and very effective method of deception. He parades around the country blacklisting every Muslim who does not submit to his vision for Islam. Based on this, one can only assume that he’s of the Herman Goering school of thought. Goering was a Nazi and second in command of the Third Reich under Adolph Hitler. He is infamously credited with stating “Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders.  This is easy.  All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and for exposing the country to danger.  It works the same in every country.” This embodies Dr. Jasser’s strategy of tirelessly attempting to discredit Muslim Leaders and Imams who truthfully seek to promote Islam in America through peace and outreach. He accuses them of supporting terrorism whether indirectly or directly without any solid or material evidence. Dr. Jasser has mastered the technique of propagating fear, and he uses this fear to scare the public and to promote his own self satisfying ideas.

The upcoming film “The Third Jihad”, in which Dr Jasser plays a vital role, simply promises to be another tool in a much larger effort to terrify Americans about Islam. It will suggest that America is under attack from within, and the attack is directed by American Muslims who are focused on the destruction of the United Sates. The film will formulate an argument that proclaims American Islamic leaders promote “Radical” Islamic Ideologues overthrowing the Government. This is a concept that Imam Al-Darsani unequivocally denounced in the very debate that will be used in “The Third Jihad”. He further expressed that America currently allows, above all other nations, for adherents of every religion to include Islam, the right to practice their faith unlike any other place on earth. Make no mistake, the film utilizes Dr. Jasser’s McCarthy like tactics. Apparently the documentary is dedicated entirely to suggesting that American Islamic Clerics are the new Communist threat. The film’s release date comes only weeks after Republican Congressman, Rep. Tom Tancredo introduced the “Jihad Prevention Act” which if passed will require any aliens, visa holders, or naturalized citizens to either publicly denounce Sharia Law in America, or face deportation. All that would be required for the government to take action is suspicion of, or any indication that someone might support the idea of Sharia Law in America. On the surface it may seem reasonable to some, but if implemented it would serve as a dangerous tool that will strip American’s of their rights, citizenship, and protection under the law completely at the government’s discretion. Also, who would determine the criteria for these regulations? Dr. Jasser?

Since the makers of “The Third Jihad” also created the film “Obsession: Radical Islam’s War against the West” which lacked context, accuracy in reporting, and actually passed off lies as truth with regards to similar degrading ideas about Islam, it is not unreasonable to expect the same tactics of deception will be used in delivering their newest round of politically motivated and anti-Islamic propaganda. Only this time they have at their disposal a “Token Muslim” in Dr. Jasser to help divert attention away from the Clarion Fund and others responsible for the making of the films. The Clarion Fund is shrouded in mystery, with virtually no information provided about their funding or members. Their operation reminds this author of man behind a curtain ruling in Oz.

Part Four: I’m mad, so I will take it out on you!

Dr. Jasser indicates that he’s indeed a devout Muslim; however, he has so far failed to make traction with the majority of Muslims in the United States as well as the rest of the world. His message may be better received by Muslims if he had any basis for his claims, had an Islamic education, had an advanced understanding of Arabic, and did not possess a misguided interpretation of Islam. Dr. Jasser assumes that since he has been acknowledged by non-Muslims as an expert in Islam that it qualifies him as such. One must give Dr. Jasser credit for his tenacity, courage, and commitment. It takes a bold man or woman, to stand up for his beliefs. Unfortunately, since those in the Clarion Fund and other shadowy organizations give him praise and court him as a saving grace from God, and accordingly, he has anointed himself as the last great hope for America to win the War on Terror, all this at the expense of American Muslims. 

In Phoenix, where Dr. Jasser calls home, many of the Islamic communities have long dismissed Dr. Jasser and written him off as a lost cause. One Phoenix Mosque actually kicked him out. This is disappointing because it’s important to engage him and it’s important to guide him. However, their frustrations are very understandable. Here is a man, Dr. Jasser, who because of his disdain for his families past treatment in Syria, his confused version of American History and contemporary problems, his failure to separate socio-political situations from Islam, along with his lack of understanding concerning authentic Islam,  has taken it upon himself to criticize them at every turn. It has also become his standard operating procedure to adolescently criticize them for having views that are not a hundred percent in line with his own. Consequently, this method of isolation and their decisions to expel him from their Mosques has apparently festered inside of him to a point where he feels compelled to engage in a vengeful campaign of intellectual terror.  His radical hatred towards some of his fellow Muslims coupled with his love and association for and with many of America’s most notorious Islamopobes such as Daniel Pipes is frightening.   He wishes to change the message of the Quran as he indicated in the final few minutes of the debate with Imam Al-Darsani, and dismiss portions of the Quran with secular ideas whenever he deems necessary. Dr. Jasser hides behind the statement that Islamic leaders simply try to marginalize him. Truthfully, he is right. It would be irresponsible of Islamic leaders not to exploit him. It would be incredibly dangerous not to let the good people in America know, that what they hear from Dr. Jasser, is not always accurate. 

Ideally everyone who reads this will come to a common understanding that individuals who throw around fantastical and inaccurate labels do nothing in the way of solving problems. Terrorism conducted by people who call themselves Muslims will not cease to exist because Dr. Jasser calls them Islamic Terrorists, Muslim Terrorists, Political Islamists, Islamic Apologists, Fundamental Islamists, or whatever else he and others can conjure up. The facts are simple; these people are what they are. They are murderers, criminals, and ruthless thugs. Dr. Jasser however, states that Muslims do not reach out and speak out against terrorism. This is not true. The facts are that many Islamic Centers such as the Islamic Center for PEACE in Fort Myers, Florida, hold community events to show their support for, and, to be actively involved in their respected communities. Similar centers often hold programs in which members of the FBI, Sheriff’s Department, Local Politicians, and other public servants are invited. It would not be surprising if Dr. Jasser does not endorse these programs. Specifically those held or hosted with the Islamic Center for PEACE, because as he stated, it is run by a Political Imam and Islamist, as is his excuse for not supporting any Islamic attempt to speak out against Terror, Civil Injustice, or any Muslim Charity programs that are outside of his own direction. It’s understood that some organizations, both Islamic and non-Islamic, abuse the trust granted to them by their supporters. This article is not an attempt to defend any specific organizations. Rather, it’s to expose the twisted methodology of people like Dr. Jasser who demand outcry from the Muslim community, but, when that outcry comes, they denounce them as unpatriotic and a threat to the American way of life! The truth is that Dr. Jasser thrives off all of this. He needs these labels and these problems. Why? Because without them he would be just another everyday citizen sitting around living his life as most of us do.  That’s simply not good enough for him.

Part Five: My Country Right or Wrong…

  What this all boils down to, is that it’s important to expose Dr. Jasser and those who conduct themselves in a similar manner for what they really are. They are people who will do anything to accomplish their goals, at the expense of anyone who stands in their way. Please don’t misunderstand. There is nothing wrong with seeking to promote truth, justice, and equality in every way possible. In fact, as Muslims we must call on every American Muslim to do the same. As citizens and residents of the United States it is our civic and religious responsibility to be law abiding citizens who work to improve the quality of life for all of humanity.  It is also our responsibility to insure the safety and protection of our families, friends, neighbors, and the community at large. It’s important to understand that being an American citizen or resident is not non-Islamic at all. Everyone should take time to objectively learn about American History, critically analyze the constitution, and contemplate many of the written goals set forth by the founding fathers of America. One may be shocked or surprised to see that it mostly echoes the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Further, it’s also everyone’s responsibility to inform law enforcement of any criminal activity of which they may have knowledge. This includes potential threats from all races, religions, or creeds because any unjustified act of violence, especially the killing of innocent civilians, is non-Islamic. Dr. Jasser walks a dangerous line. His message, when heard by some, will give credence to the already apparent calls and implementation of laws and executive orders designed to segregate Muslims and highlight them as potential threats to America and Democracy.  Dr. Jasser must realize and understand that Criminal and Terrorist activity can’t be identified or prevented by issuing erroneous Islamic related labels. Rather, we as citizens, non-Muslim and Muslim alike, need to educate ourselves on how to identify suspicious activity and behavioral patterns and identifiers that are associated with criminal and terrorist activity. That is indeed the ONLY way to prevent future attacks.

Dr. Jasser’s involvement in the new film “The Third Jihad” indicates that he supports a new level of citizen activism. To the dismay of this author, he suggest as a means to accomplish this, we need to beware of the American Muslims; your neighbors, your schoolmates, your in-laws, your lawyer, your doctor, your nanny, your mail man, American Muslim Soldiers serving in the armed forces of the United States, as well as all Muslims who contribute to America every day. This sort of fear mongering will leave the audience hanging, wondering what the big bad Boogie Man has in store for them. Here’s a question for Dr. Jasser: if you have privileged information, and can prove the claims you make, then how can people you accuse of being “Radical Muslims” or “Supporters of Terrorism”, as well as countless others you have erroneously labeled and accused be living freely in this country? If you have information and are withholding it, then you are not fulfilling your obligation as an American. In fact some could consider the withholding of such evidence as aiding the enemy. The makers of “The Third Jihad” also claim to have a SECRET FBI document, if this is true, then the Clarion Fund needs to be investigated by U.S. Counterintelligence, because apparently they have a better operation than our Government. It should be obvious the upcoming film “The Third Jihad” is designed to scare Americans into forfeiting their individual freedoms and rights. Only time will tell.

We can’t let our fears allow us to forfeit the rights, liberties, and freedoms that define America for a false sense of security. It has been often said, that any nation which gives up its individual freedoms for that sense of security will have neither. One can be confident that Dr. Jasser will boldly deny any notion that he may be a contributor to this shameful path to government intervention that may deny U.S. Citizens their rights as outlined in our constitution. However his false, inaccurate, and completely inappropriate technique of labeling is a dangerous tool, which can be used in the future to deny U.S. Citizens and Residents the very rights that make America so unique and rewarding. This idea that people can make up the rules as they go is preposterous.

Dr. Jasser praises the rule of the law, however, he seemingly supports the idea that in order to achieve immediate objectives those laws and ideas of freedom can be suspended or removed completely. If this is untrue, we must see Dr. Jasser unequivocally denounce the Patriot Act and call for everyone who is currently detained unlawfully in the United States and abroad, according to standards set and defined in the constitution of the United States, to be released immediately or properly charged and given the rights of due process and adequate council. Dr. Jasser must stand against the redefining of the Executive branch as done by Vice President Dick Cheney, who declared that his office was not part of the Executive Branch to avoid oversight committees conducting inquires into the actions of his office completely disregarding Article 2 Section 1 of the constitution, which clearly places the office of the Vice President in the executive branch. This was specifically designed to prevent government accountability to the people. Dr. Jasser needs to speak out against torture, which includes water boarding. The rule of law in America is based on precedence and the United States tried and convicted Japanese Soldiers after WWII for torturing American Soldiers by the technique known as water boarding. Dr. Jasser must proclaim that pre-emptive wars of aggression are illegal unless authorized by the UN Security Council as defined by the United Nations of which the United States is a founding and permanent member. This was also defined by United States Justice Robert Jackson while he oversaw the Nuremberg Trials. “Robert Jackson, the chief U.S. prosecutor at Nuremberg, said: "To initiate a war of aggression, therefore, is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." Justice Jackson also said: "If certain acts in violation of treaties are crimes they are crimes whether the United States does them or whether Germany does them, and we are not prepared to lay down a rule of criminal conduct against others which we would not be willing to have invoked against us”.

Part Six: Now it’s up to us

 Without a doubt America above all other nations, currently allows its citizens the most freedom to practice their faith and to live their lives the way they desire. However, we as American Citizens have allowed corrupt Government officials and people like Dr. Jasser to hijack our systems and gradually pervert the rule of law that defines our freedoms. We need to utilize our rights to vote and demand that irresponsible leaders are swiftly removed and replaced. Dr. Jasser serves as a tool for many private groups and elected representatives who use his views to justify anti Islamic positions. As Abraham Lincoln stated “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” This is as true today as it was then.

  It would be appropriate to leave you, the reader, with these final thoughts. Dr. Jasser needs to make some major and necessary adjustments to his positions, as well as his definition of moral courage, clarity, and consistency. If he is willing to lie about something as simple as to who issued the challenge for a debate then how can he claim that he has any moral courage? If he insists that every critique to the administration is a sign of being un-American he needs a lesson on dissent. It has been said “My Country Right or Wrong! When Right keep it, and if wrong to be set right!” (Sen. Carl Schurz) It is this moral courage that defines a true patriot. Not the childish, foolish, arrogant, and dangerous, self defined doctrine of Dr. Jasser! As a nation we must work to weed out self proclaimed experts who sneak through the cracks and gain the trust of unsuspecting, otherwise honorable citizens. It’s important to challenge then and to expose them as frauds, because Americans often look to Dr. Jasser for guidance and hope! And because Dr. Jasser says what people want to hear, at the expense of truth and his own moral courage, he has so far gone undetected. His image is protected, simply because he is on the popular side of controversy. For this, and all of the above said reasons, we must work to dismantle his Neo McCarthy tactics of labeling anyone who stands in his way as a danger to America. We as Americans must challenge and confront Dr. Jasser with the tough questions about his personal beliefs concerning contemporary social problems. Then scrutinize his lack of moral consistency regarding the universal applications of his ideas specifically those concerning the rule of law. It is blatantly obvious that he has no concern for the rule of law but rather, he supports whatever is most convenient to accomplish immediate objectives.

  Finally, in many regards, Dr. Jasser is right. There are problems in the Islamic world and these problems must be addressed by the Muslim community. That’s why organizations like The Islamic Center for PEACE organize programs to educate the community and to promote interfaith dialogue. If Dr. Jasser would objectively look at himself and seek improvement rather than insist on spreading at best, ignorance, or at worst, outright lies and speeches of hate. Muslims would be standing beside him working together with him to establish peace, justice, and equality for all. Sadly, instead we are forced to expose him as a fraud. He comes across a man with no self respect, who is working tirelessly to spread his twisted methodology at the expense of perhaps the rights of innocent men and women from all of America’s citizens. Undoubtedly, Thomas Jefferson said it best “He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors”. We need to pray for Dr. Jasser. We should pray that he will come to a fork in his mission and that he will choose a path geared more towards learning about Islam and working with and in the Islamic Community rather than against it.

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The Islamic Center for PEACE is a dual purpose not for profit religious organization located in Fort Myers Florida. The mission is it to serve as a center for quality and spiritual learning and development. It also serves as a community center dedicated to promoting progress, education, awareness, cooperation, and enlightenment within the Islamic community and the local community at large.

If you would like information about the Islamic Center for PEACE, or would like to schedule an interview with Imam Mohamed Al-Darsani you may contact him at 239-671-1761 or by e-mail at moaldarsani@ic-peace.com

References for this article

Dr. Jasser, M. Zuhdi (2008). The War of Ideas: Finally, a debate occurred between an Islamist and an anti-Islamist Muslim. The Investigative Project on Terrorism. May 16, 2008 , from http://www.investigativeproject.org/article/644

Dr. Jasser, M. Zuhdi (2008). The Exclusive: The War of Ideas: Revealing the Moral Weakness and Hypocrisy of the Islamist Imam (Part Two of Two). Family Security Matters . May 16, 2008 , from http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.55/pub_detail.asp

Jefferson, Thomas (Unknown) Quote from Thomas Jefferson. USA Patriotism Quotes. May 16, 2008, from http://www.usa-patriotism.com/quotes/jefferson.htm

Schurz, Carl (1872) Quote from Sen. Carl Schurz. Remarks in the Senate. May 16, 2008, from http://www.bartleby.com/73/1641.html

Lincoln, Abraham (Unknown) Quote from Abraham Lincoln. Reference to the destruction of America. May 16 2008, from  http://www.liberty.com/quotes/

Gilbert, G.M. (1947) The Nuremberg Diary (Herman Goering). New York: Farrar, Straus.

 Forthofer, Ron (Unknown) No More War Crimes in Our Name! (Justice Jackson) The Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center. May 16, 2008, from http://www.rmpjc.org/node/98

Connell, Mandy and Jasser, Zuhdi M. (April 04 2008) Interview with Dr. Zuhdi Jasser. Daybreak. May 16, 2008, from http://www.ic-peace.com/dr_jasser_and_imam_aldarsani.htm

Connell, Mandy and Al-Darsanir, Mohamed. (April 18 2008) Interview with Imam  Mohamed Al-Darsani. Daybreak. May 16, 2008, from http://www.ic-peace.com/dr_jasser_and_imam_aldarsani.htm

The Islamic Center for PEACE. (April 06 2008) The Great Debate. Debate. May 16, 2008, from http://www.ic-peace.com/dr_jasser_and_imam_aldarsani.htm

The Islamic Center for PEACE. (April 06 2008) Imam Al-Darsani Invites Dr Jasser to a dialoug. Debate. May 16, 2008, from http://www.ic-peace.com/dr_jasser_and_imam_aldarsani.htm