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Steven Emerson,
Executive Director
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June 14, 2017
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Leaders
Try to Squelch Dar al-Hijrah Female Genital Mutilation Debate
IPT News
June 14, 2017
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One mosque leader
says it's time for unity. An international Islamist activist says such
discussions shouldn't be aired publicly. Two weeks after the senior imam at
the Dar al-Hijrah mosque endorsed partial female genital mutilation (FGM) as
"the honorable thing to do," a clear effort is under way to try
to stifle further debate.
Don't be "in tensions" or "in camps," mosque board
member Esam Omeish told the congregation Friday. Earlier that day,
Outreach Director Johari Abdul-Malik announced he was quitting after more than 15 years at
the mosque over imam Shaker Elsayed's comments. Abdul-Malik wanted Elsayed
fired, noting this was the latest in a series of "reprehensible
statements made by" the imam.
Omeish preached a different message for one of the largest mosques in
the Washington, D.C. area: Time to move on.
Elsayed "offered his apology" and "we stand united in
making sure that we are the backing of everyone, of us," Omeish said.
Elsayed did apologize, writing
that, "Islam would never support anything that harms anybody's
well-being, such as FGM." [Emphasis original] But Elsayed
rescinded the apology shortly afterward, a fact that Omeish never
mentioned. Abdul-Malik's open letter made it clear that his decision to
leave was influenced by Elsayed's public recanting of that apology.
For those wanting Elsayed ousted, "We will not engage nor accept
the tactics of coercion, and of threats, and of behaviors of picking and
demonizing," Omeish said.
In addition, the notion that "Islam would never support" FGM
was contradicted Monday by an international Islamist leader. Tariq Ramadan posted a video on his Facebook page
repeatedly describing the FGM debate as an "internal
discussion" the mosque needs to have.
He opposes the practice. But while female genital mutilation is not
mentioned in the Quran, he said, "no one can deny the fact that in the
mainstream Islamic tradition ... it's discussed because they are relying on
the prophetic traditions, where it's clearly mentioning the female
excision."
In a written update added beneath the video, Ramadan emphasized his
opposition to female genital mutilation, and repeated that it is rooted in
Islamic tradition. "To say this discussion has no ground within the
Islamic tradition is wrong: it has been debated and still is. Even though I
am against these practises as I think it is not the right Islamic
interpretation, it cannot be denied that it was condoned by some Muslim
scholars (even contemporary ones)," he wrote.
Many Islamist
apologists, including Reza Aslan, have long insisted there is no religious basis for FGM,
describing it instead as a tribal tradition primarily in Central Africa
among both Muslims and Christians.
Ramadan's comments refute that claim. His word carries significant
influence. He is the grandson of Muslim Brotherhood founder Hassan
al-Banna. The Global Muslim Brotherhood Daily Watch describes
Ramadan as "an independent power center" within the
Brotherhood.
In his video, the Switzerland-based Ramadan does not
explain why he took the time to weigh in on a debate within one mosque in
Falls Church, Va. He does, however, argue that continuing an open debate
only serves people who want to hurt the Muslim community. As the Washington
Post did last week, Ramadan makes a point of attacking the
messenger – the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) – which
originally found Elsayed's video and cast a spotlight on his FGM comments.
"These are Islamophobes," Ramadan said. "And you react to
them by just exposing one of your leaders, a sheikh that has been serving
the community for more than 30 years? And you ask for him to be fired so
quickly, just to be on the safe side of the political discussion in the
United States of America, by saying – 'oh, we have nothing to do with this'
– while your tradition is there and it's discussed within your tradition.
And whoever is attacking you, at least you have to be cautious with the
people who are using this and putting you in a situation which is – yes,
problematic, but, you have to stand for your rights to have opinions, and
at least to have internal discussions and not react so quickly to these
issues."
Elsayed's comments were not limited to Muslim girls. Any woman whose
clitoris has not been cut is prone to becoming "hyper-sexual" and
incapable of being satisfied by just one man, he said. In other words:
whores.
Still, without naming names, Ramadan criticized those who spoke out and
urged them to keep any disagreements private.
It is a reaction indicative of a deeper mindset. In 2003, Ramadan drew
criticism when he was unwilling to unequivocally condemn stoning
adulterers. Like FGM, he said he was against the practice. But he couldn't
call for its ban. Instead, he called for "a moratorium so that there can be a
real debate between Muslims."
Omeish, meanwhile, seemed concerned about the damage a debate on an ugly
topic might have on the community's influence: "For the first time, my
dear brothers and sisters, we as a community have the space, have the
presence, have the numbers, have the ability, inshallah [God willing], to
engage and influence and discuss public discourse and bring forth what we
believe in..."
He described Dar al-Hijrah as a place "embattled for so many years
with a false narrative and a false paradigm that was never able to stick on
Dar al-Hijrah because Dar al-Hijrah never practiced it. There is no
extremism. There is none of that sense that we keep getting."
It's an odd argument to make, given that Dar al-Hijrah also has been home to Anwar al-Awlaki, who went on to become an
al-Qaida spiritual leader and one of the terrorist group's most effective radicalizers. Law enforcement officials
also have described the mosque as "associated with Islamic
extremists" and was "operating as a front for Hamas operatives in U.S."
Omeish also made it clear that Elsayed remains a "beloved senior
imam" who "will continue to be a leading member and he will be,
inshalllah [God willing], kept in the highest regard" despite
endorsing FGM.
In addition, Elsayed has cast Muslims as first in line for jihad and described the labeling of suicide bombers an
"in-house business" for Muslims.
Tariq Ramadan felt
compelled to opine on Dar al-Hijrah's conflict.
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Now, Tariq Ramadan seems to be casting the FGM debate as "in-house
business."
Ramadan's decision to weigh in on the matter shows that Dar al-Hijrah is
an important base for the Muslim Brotherhood in America, said Abdur-Rahman
Mohammad, who used to pray there often.
"Let's make no mistake about it," Mohammad said. "Shaker
[Elsayed] is the spiritual guide to the Muslim Brotherhood in America and
they're not going to let him go down."
Earlier this week, a Libyan House of Representatives security committee named Omeish a terrorist, saying he is an
"international member of the Muslim Brotherhood."
Meanwhile, no major Islamist organization – what Mohammad calls the
"immigrant Muslim syndicate" – has publicly commented on the
female genital mutilation controversy.
Mohammad locked in on another part of Elsayed's remarks that have drawn
less attention. An area woman used to conduct the procedure, Elsayed said.
To Mohammad, that's a sign that girls in the D.C. area have been subjected
to mutilation. "We need to round up these animals and throw them in
jail for about 30 or 40 years and send a message that we're not having this
in America," he said
in a YouTube commentary. "These girls that are being butchered –
these are American girls. These are girls that are born right here on the
shores of the United States of America, being mutilated, butchered, by
these primitive evil people."
FGM is a growing
practice in the United States, Mohammad believes. It is being imported
by Muslims from other countries. When Elsayed rescinded his apology,
reportedly claiming, "I'm an American" and can believe what he
wants, the congregation applauded, Mohammad said. That means "they're
going to do it (FGM)."
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