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| Fifth Column |
| Society of Hatred and Holy War |
| 2005-12-28 |
| By Joe Kaufman It has been said that 80 percent of all the mosques and Islamic centers inside the United States are financially and spiritually tied to a radical form of Islam originating from Saudi Arabia. This ideology, identified as Wahhabism, does not promote the inclusion of persons into democratic society. One of the American locations that Wahhabi influence has been overtly prevalent is the Tampa-St. Pete area of Southwest Florida. It is here that Sami Al-Arian, a college professor, created a wide-ranging operation that assisted in terrorist activity abroad, through Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Within Al-Arianâs universe lies a little known mosque, which has been fomenting hatred and violence. Recognized as the Islamic Society of Pinellas County (Islamic Society as in the predecessor of Hamas) or by its less publicized name Al-Farooq (the same title as Al-Qaedaâs former headquarters in Brooklyn), the mosque has been in existence since 1988. The congregationâs most prominent member is Ahmed Bedier, who is currently involved with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a group whose parent organization was created by the number two leader in Hamas, Mousa Abu Marzook. Bedier is the Spokesman for the Florida chapter of CAIR and the Director of CAIRâs Tampa office. Prior to joining CAIR, Bedier had the position of Outreach Director for the Islamic Society of Pinellas County (ISPC). In September of 2002, Bedier represented the mosque when he spoke at an event held in Davie, Florida, entitled, âA United and Secure Florida for All.â Also speaking at that event was a fairly large panel of Islamist radicals, including Rafiq Mehdi, the imam of the mosque where âDirty Bomberâ Jose Padilla was said to have converted to Islam and where terror fundraiser Adham Hassoun worshipped. Recently, Bedier -- the mediaâs âgo toâ man for answers to questions concerning Al-Arian -- stated that, prior to 1995, there was ânothing immoralâ about Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Rest at link. |
| Posted by:ed |
| #1 Please move this to the opinion page. Thanks. |
| Posted by: ed 2005-12-28 09:11 |