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| Ohio Jews forgive ranting Muslim cleric |
| 2001-10-04 |
Plain Dealer Reporter Hundreds of worshippers at Northeast Ohio's largest mosque yesterday forgave Imam Fawaz Damra for demeaning statements toward Jews, but its leaders are undecided about whether he should continue as their leader. Officials of the Islamic Center of Cleveland were to discuss comments Damra made 10 years ago that referred to Jews as animals. The comments, which surfaced last week, troubled Christians, Jews and Muslims in Greater Cleveland. Damra apologized in a written statement. But the gathering of leaders never began because more than 400 people turned it into a town meeting to support him. "All people make mistakes," said Dr. Azzam Ahmed, an elder and the man who helped hire Damra. "When they realize their mistakes, they apologize. He did, and that's as far as he can go. If other faiths don't accept it, then the ball is in their court." |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |