Apology demanded for anti-Muslim tirade
American Muslims are demanding an apology from a radio talk show host who they say launched an “anti-Muslim tirade”.
The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called Dr Laura Schlessinger “bigoted” for comments on her 17 November programme.
Schlessinger, whose show has 12 million listeners on 270 stations nationwide, told a listener not to let her daughter visit a mosque.
Her comments came in response to a mother who asked whether her 16-year-old daughter should take part in a Catholic High School trip to a local mosque.
The purpose of the trip has been said to teach students in a “moral themes” class about how Muslims are treated in America.
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“What culture and what religion were all the murderers of 9/11? They murdered us. That’s the culture you want your daughter to learn about?” Dr Laura Schlessinger, |
‘Terrorists’
Schlessinger said: “This is a class on morals. What is the point of going to a mosque?… You’re joking of course? How many Americans have tortured and murdered Muslims? I think you ought to stand up against this class and this teacher.
“This is despicable. You tell him you are willing to go to the mosque only if it is one that has done its best to route out terrorists in its midst.”
She added: “I am horrified that you would let her go. I am so sick and tired of all the Arab-American groups whining and complaining about some kind of treatment.
“What culture and what religion were all the murderers of 9/11? They murdered us. That’s the culture you want your daughter to learn about?”
However, CAIR said Schlessinger’s remarks crossed the line from legitimate commentary on terrorism to Islamophobic bigotry.
Anti-Muslim hostility
“Dr Laura’s anti-Muslim tirade demonstrates a level of hostility toward Islam that should be of concern to her programme’s audience and sponsors,” said CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
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“Dr Laura’s anti-Muslim tirade demonstrates a level of hostility toward Islam that should be of concern to her programme’s audience and sponsors” |
“It has been our experience that one-on-one interactions with ordinary American Muslims are the best way to dispel Islamophobic stereotypes and promote religious tolerance.
“It is a pity that Dr Laura would interfere with that learning
process by dissuading a student from visiting a mosque.”
Hooper also noted Schlessinger confused Arab-Americans and Muslims in her comments, as many Arab-Americans are Christian.
This is not the first time CAIR and Schlessinger have crossed swords.
In 2002, CAIR sent a letter to Schlessinger asking for a clarification of her on-air claim that there is a “Muslim plan” to take over the world.