The Muslims of America Speak Up

The Christian Action Network has apparently touched a nerve by going after Sheikh Gilani Lane and the Jamaat ul-Fuqra compounds. This letter to the editor appeared a few days ago in the Southside Messenger:

I am writing and responding to the ongoing Sheikh Gilani Lane sign controversy here in Red House, Virginia. We, the Muslims of the Americas here in Charlotte County, would like to reiterate our position surrounding the controversy regarding Sheikh Gilani Lane.

We are not terrorists, nor do we or shall we ever subscribe to terrorism. We are American citizens born and raised in the United States, respectful to God and the Constitution of the founding Fathers of this country. Many of us are Veterans ourselves, honorably discharged, by the various entities of the United States Armed Forces. Some of us currently have relatives serving in the Armed Forces overseas in Iraq.

In America we have a respectful working process to resolve our differences when we disagree with one another. However, we have recently found this not to be the case. I am referring to the belligerent and undisciplined act of some members who claim to be with the Christian Action Network (CAN) flying an aircraft over our peaceful Islamic Village. Heavy bundles of offensive literature were hurled out of the aircraft with little or no regard to where they landed. Fortunately no one was physically injured. Many of our women and children are now terrified whenever any sort of aircraft passes over our village.

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Some days after this incident, group members of CAN, appealed to the County Board of Supervisors to have our road sign removed because of what they perceived to be Anti American. We would have thought a group who claimed to be followers of the Blessed Jesus Christ, (whom we as Muslims highly revere and believe in his second coming), would have made this appeal their first approach and had respectful dialogue surrounding the issue.

Again, I reiterate, the red, white and blue is also our country’s flag, and we too, stand up for the National Anthem with respect. Our service is reflective to our respect for our Country and our neighbors. Many of our Christian brethren and neighbors in Charlotte County have apologized for the rudeness and un-American behavior of the members of CAN and assured us that they did not approve of such lawlessness. They have also assured us of their support. Red House has become a very diverse cultural and religious community over the past 10 years. We have our Amish neighbors as well as several Christian churches on Road 615 all living peacefully throughout the community. Our small Red House area is a direct reflection of the diversity in America as well as the harmony.

We, along with our Attorneys, have contacted the local Sheriff’s Department, the F.B.I., and the Justice Department in regards to the transgression and violation of the members of CAN. We have been informed locally that subpoenas are forthcoming with regards to those violations.

Respectfully,

Charles Williams, Senior
Spokesperson (regarding this matter)

There’s also a puff-piece “news” story in the same paper about the Red House conpound.

Many of our readers have seen our earlier posts on Jamaat ul-Fuqra. To refresh your memory, look down our right sidebar and click some of the links, and then follow through to our various sources. Also, for the best and most complete information on MOA, visit the Politics of CP.

You can then decide for yourselves whether Mr. Williams’ letter is an accurate description of the Muslims of America.

I’ll let Sheikh Gilani’s own words do the talking:

In a videotape obtained by The Washington Times, Sheik Gilani calls on American Muslims to help him form an “international organization.”

“We have reached out and prepared them to defend themselves in a highly specialized training in guerrilla warfare,” he says, referring to two camouflage-clad black men flanking him. “Life is becoming more hard for Muslims. Therefore, every man and woman will learn to defend himself or herself.”