Eric Holder makes quiet visit to mosque to meet with Muslim Americans

Atty. Gen. Eric Holder Jr. made a well-publicized visit to Los Angeles this week to announce stimulus grants to help fight drug trafficking and to help the victims of domestic violence. But in a quieter event not announced to the news media or public, Holder stopped at a mosque to meet with Muslim American youths.

“The point was to engage the Muslim community here in Los Angeles and make sure they understand this administration’s commitment to work with that community,” Justice Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

The relationship between the Muslim American community and the department has come under increasing strain. This year, a coalition of the nation’s largest Muslim organizations issued a statement demanding that the Obama administration address FBI actions, including what they described as the “infiltration of mosques,” the use of “agent provocateurs to trap unsuspecting Muslim youth” and the “deliberate vilification” of one of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organizations.

Thursday’s meeting was at 4 p.m. at the Omar Ibn Al Khattab Foundation, a mosque and community center near USC, said Dafer Dakhil, the foundation’s director. It lasted about an hour, during which Holder gave prepared remarks and answered questions from an invited audience of about 200 people ages 18 to 33.

Questions posed at the event covered such topics as concern about law enforcement profiling of Muslim Americans, the sanctity of mosques, hate crimes and the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba, Dakhil said.

“The attorney general got to meet face to face with a generation of Muslims born and raised in this country,” he said. “He didn’t have to depend on what he reads in the papers or what his staff tells him. He got to see them face to face. . . . I don’t believe that ever took place in the previous administration.”

-- Paloma Esquivel in Orange County

Comments

[jill]

good.

[I Choose Freedom]

What will the US do to stop anti-American indoctrination by this religion....right here on our own soil?

[Karl]

It would have been worthwhile to report on the answers Holder gave to the questions he was asked.

[sabur]

I want to thank this adminitration for visiting the mosque.If they want know more about muslim american go to (new africa radio)on their computer and listen to Imam W.D. Muhammed.

[Francisco Cardenas]

Why are American Muslims concerned about Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba? This seemed kind of odd to me.

[Sophie]

To Francisco Cardenas:

As an American Muslim, I have the same rights and interests as any other American for my government to show the same respect for human rights, due process and transparency in matters of war and criminal justice, as my gov't expects others to show. The hypocritical and biased attitude towards Muslims needs to stop.

[jay vasquez]

Why did he do it quietly. Is he ashamed of meeting muslim Americans? The religion of peace should demand an apology from Holder and Obama

[Robert]

President Bush constantly made an effort to make Muslims feel at ease. Bush had numerous dinners in which Muslim Organizations were invited to the White House to dine with the president. Despite this Muslims in this Country always whined and cried about be persecuted by the FBI, which was a crock. If the Obama Administration doesn't make the tough decision to see that ALL Americans are protected from terrorism, he's not doing his job. Holder needs to worry about actual crimes taking place not perceived persecution from Muslims and gays.

[Son of a World War II Vet]

"As an American Muslim, I have the same rights and interests as any other American for my government to show the same respect for human rights, due process and transparency in matters of war and criminal justice, as my gov't expects others to show. The hypocritical and biased attitude towards Muslims needs to stop."

As an American, please show me where in the United States Constitution the part about "human rights". The phrase "human rights" in a term that can mean anything you want it to mean, it's undefined new speak, that's why it is no where to be found in the U.S. Constitution.

Also, the so called "hyporitical and biased attitude twards Muslims need to stop". Do you also mean the same way the suicide bombings, the beheadings, and having Muslim women dress up as if they're going to Draculas funeral need to stop?

Some people point the dirty end of the stick at the ones that have sacraficed their sons to liberate millions of people around the world, and ignore the murder and oppression that is being committed in the name of certain religions.

[Dirk Diggler]

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and water rolls of it's back like a duck, then it's probably a duck. Muslims attacked the US on 9-11, not any other group. Therefore, it makes sense to target Muslims in our law enforcement activities. Remember, freedom means if you don't like it here you are free to leave.

[Alex]

Dear Sophie,

You're quick to demand rights and respect for Islam in America, but why is it that the epicenter of Islam, Saudi Arabia, is arguably the most intolerant of other religions in the world (not to mention crushes women's rights)?

I mean, you pray to Mecca four times a day, right? Are you praying for world peace - because I don't see Islam promoting it? Indonesia bombings of Western hotels comes to recent memory.

[V. Martin Ogrosky]

Holder is doing the right thing. Building a coalition of peoples in the United States, which claims to be a state for everyone, is not always easy. One must talk to various parts of the state. So, he is engaging LA and the Muslim community in statecraft. Are they listening?

[HobartStinson]

It's obvious that Muslims, the radical ones, pose an extreme threat to America. They have puclically announced the destruction of the western democratic government.

I wholly support monitoring what is preached in mosques in the US. Muslims must be more open about their beliefs, or else they will be suspected of supporting the radical fringe.

It ain't Christians or Jews who want to wholly destroy the government of the United States. But it is fringe Muslims who not only talk about it, but they train people to achieve it.

Then there's the whole concept of "jihad" that has westerners nervous as hell.

[solomon]

Muslim brotherwood stands first in the world since inception of Islam. whether that brotherwood for good case or distruction. I don't understand why Mr. Holder going to meet young Muslims only in the mosques rather than in his office. He should come clean with his motives and plans for Citizens of this great nation first and next to his youth friends in particular. This is moot point.

[Zeke Heill]

Holder will soon deputize these violent Moslem youths and street gangs as the new Brown Shirts -- Holder is violently against the US Constitution in general, and its Second Amendment specifically, and will use these thugs to legally disarm America and create an army "equal in size and strength to the military" as Obama once put it.

Think "it can't happen here"? Seven million European Jews didn't think so, either.

[Mark Harris]

The nation of Israel rejected the one true God in her past and was punished severely for this. Our nation is repeating the same mistaken process now in that we were a nation founded on Judaeo-Christian principles. We have been blessed greatly due to God yet now we have become arrogant and reject God, turning to false worship : islam. The thing about islam that we need to recognize, is that any time we take our worship away from Jesus and focus it in the wrong direction, satan is there operating, deceiving people into believing that they can reach heaven through killing innocent lives. The islamic belief system is satan's way of leading people to do evil and direct them to oppose the one and true God. Interesting that we in this country are led by leaders that show respect for this satanic belief system. It only proves that we are heading for a severe punishment in this country from God.

[Blue Collar Todd]

I guess it is more politically correct to offend everyone else but Muslims these days. As a Christian, I wonder when Holder will secretly come to a Church and say similar things to Christians? I am not holding my breath. This is America, we should be free to openly debate and preach our truth claims, even if they stand in antithesis to one another. We should have to worry about the thought police coming around to oppress us.

[Pava]

Wouldn't it be wise...instead of talking...to deport followers of mohha_mad...til religion of peace is at the state of war with our country?

[Bigfoot]

Perhaps the Attorney General chose not to publicize his visit to the mosque because his purpose for going there was something other than to talk to schoolchildren.
What are we to believe about his boss, who tells us stories about his past but does not allow us to see the documentation; who routinely misrepresents the impact of his policies, their cost, and how they are to be paid for; and who habitually disparages his own country in foreign venues? In the absence of candor we are free to speculate about the comings and goings of his agents.

[stewart]

I feel it is absolutely essential that the government keeps a close eye on the Islamists in this country. Perhaps a little more cooperation in Muslim Somali community in Minnesota could have averted the American born suicide bombers recruited right under our noses. We have formerly respected spokespeople for the Muslims in this country being named as unidighted co-conspirators in the Holy Land Foundation Trial. True moderates, who are afraid to speak up, secretly support the actions of the government in the investigations and cooperation they are seeking in the Muslim American community.

[Rectifier]

Muslims make up less than 1 percent of the US population (2.8 million), so it seems to me like he's pandering to a specific religious group by visiting the Mosque, and the article stated Holder made a WELL PUBLICIZED visit. The "hypocritcal and biased" attitude referred to by the American Muslim poster seems like a bit too much protest -- since the 9-11 catostrophe it seems like our government goes out of its way not to offend Muslims.

[karla]

When are they going to drop into a church and apologize for their abortion policies and seek to win this larger constituency? I agree that this country needs to learn a lot more about Islam and that a few hundred thousand Muslims can wreak havoc around the world in the name Allah...including this country. Due to the nature of jihad being present within their religion, we need to continuously be vigilant and monitor the activities of all Muslims until the radical groups stop using Muslim mosques and charity organizations for their atrocities against humanity. It's sad that this religion poses an ever present danger with its evolution into something hideous...death is occuring daily around the world for innocent people who have been labeled "infidels." This religion doesn't need special protection/special consideration, but special forces watching it carefully...

[Winghunter]

Read Dr. Peter Hammond's book: 'Slavery, Terrorism and Islam: The Historical Roots and Contemporary Threat'

[jmrec100]

Why isn't there more coverage on this event. Wow, a US Person in high position visits a Mosque. I agree, there should have been coverage , especially to the questions and answers that had to be a the event. Is there a transcript of the event? I'd like t read it. It would be so interesting. Afterall, I am sure it is policy and correspondence with the muslim community.

[A.C.Guard]

Of course Holder met with Muslims, he works for a non U.S. citizen, closet Muslim president.

[ctevez]

he visited a mosque, wow whats the big deal,
im more concerned with the infestation of latinos, mexican gangs in california and U.S who go about with their guns not speaking a word of english

[shipley130]

London times had an article about a muslim man that was attacked by 2 other muslim men, throwing acid in his face and stabbing him in the back, because of a friendship with a woman. According to a neighbor, the attacker(s) came from an ordinary muslim family. So much for civil rights. Wake up America.

[Jeffrey Hilton]

The comments on this thread are so ignorant and racist its actually quite funny to read. Thanks for the comic relief you neo-nazis.

[jg.craig]

did he bow to alla

[John]

To the Muslim posters in this string. Please explain sharia law to the group, as everthing I have heard and seen regarding it does not exemplify tolerance and peace. Please explain the "honor killing" concept. I can state that are some Christian zealots that believe they are "killing in the name of.." and that they are wrong. Fellow Christians are duty bound to prevent these extremists and bring them back to light.

I do not understand how the AG of the US needs to meet with ANY religious group individually as justice should be blind. Prosecution or protection is SUPPOSED to be equal under the law. If I am persecuted and say, murdered for being a Christian, my place is set at the right hand of the Father. My understanding of the Muslim faith is similar reward for their sacrifice.