Transcripts For CSPAN3 Anti-Semitism And Muslim Supremacy Discussion At Steamboat Freedom... 20240714

That the governments most important responsibility is protecting its citizens from all threats both foreign and domestic. And weve seen a rise in anti semitism, in radicals, islamic terror as well as domestic terror, and so it has only gotten harder over the years for the government to take care of this very important responsibility, but luckily, we have two really great panelists with us here today to help break this down, first, as a nobody is the cofounder of the Muslim Reform Movement. And she has dedicated her life to promoting peace and human rights and womens rights within the muslim communities. You have a very illustrious resume including being a reporter for the wall street journal. As well as teaching at my alma mater, georgetown university. In the second panel is to is joining us via skype today is sarah carter. She is a Fox News Contributor and an awardwinning investigative journalist. She has written for numerous outlets including the Washington Examiner and the washington times, but now she publishes her exclusive original reporting on her own website, sarah a carter. Com. She has covered everything from the wars in afghanistan and iraq to the security crisis on our southern border. So please give a big round of applause for the wonderful panelists. [ applause ] i think if anyone knows how to keep america safe, which is the topic of this panel, it is definitely you two. I would like to start with something that has always been important to me, because i was 7 years old when the september 11 terror attacks occurred. So its really one of the first big news events in the United States that i remember, and was really affected by. And so for the vast majority of my life, we have been fighting these wars against radical islamic terror in afghanistan and in iraq, and of course, theres been the attempt at nationbuilding by the bush administration. And i would like you all to start to speak about how this debt has grown over the years, because the Muslim Community didnt used to be such a radical, they did have such radical sects. It was welcome to women and women were much more free than they are now. So what were some of these pivotal moments that occurred in the Muslim Community to lead us to this point . Thank you so much. Im so honored to be with you and thank you for the invitation. My own experience, i was a little bit older on september 11, 2001. But it was an aha moment like it was for someone people in the world. I am a muslim born in india. To a theologically conservative family. And so here, a lot of values with many of you in the room, i wasnt allowed to go to the dance when i was in Junior High School when the senior class president asked me to go to the senior prom, i said i couldnt because i wasnt allowed to date. We had the arranged marriage. And so there are many ideas, religiously, that align with the religious conservatives in america, but the great departure from my family and for me was this interpretation of islam that preached violence. And this was an interpretation that has been explored through my lifetime since 1979 brought sunni and shia leaders to try to compete for the hearts and minds of muslims. So sarah will talk to about what she is witnessed, but on that day, september 11, 2001, i knew that as a muslim and as a journalist, i had to get on a plane and go to pakistan and start reporting on the war that was about to unleash. And it was there that i had my critical moment, my colleague was danny pearl at the wall street journal. You all can feel, just in that reaction, the tragedy that has happened to danny, for some of the younger ones here, he was a journalist who was reporting, like all journalists, and he came to visit me in my home in karachi. And there, he was kidnapped. And he was beheaded by men who laid out their prayer rug after they had slain him, because they believed that they were doing something divine. And my journey then after that has been to stand up to that interpretation of islam that justified killing danny, because he was american, because he was jewish, and because he supports the right of israel to exist. And that is how our Muslim Reform Movement was born in the United States. To try to put forward an interpretation of islam that believes in peace, womens rights, and another really important principle of secular governance, because so many of these muslim extremists want the theocracy and the idea of muslim supremacy to be the idea of governance. And you actually lived in the middle east for some time, so youve seen a lot of this firsthand. How has this radical element infiltrated what were once peaceful muslims . Well, take you so much for having me. And being able to speak to the Steamboat Institute. I really wish i could be there with the audience and you are such a good friend and somebody that i have so much adoration for, because she is so brave, and she speaks a truth that we are not hearing often enough for muslim women. I grew up in saudi arabia. I spent my formidable years in the kingdom from the time i was 6 years old until i started high school in the United States. My father worked there as an american. And i remember a kingdom where, of course, it was strict islamic law. It was rooted there. This is the strict sharia. A number traveling throughout the middle east even as a child, and like osler, in egypt and lebanon and in the persian gulf, things were different. It wasnt as strict lobby law and it wasnt this strict interpretation of islam, this islam is and that we were facing. Now, today. And i remember september 11 like im sure everybody else who lived through it, and it changed my life, because at that point, just like osler, but that is when i decided to dedicate my life to journalism. And to covering the war, and to covering terrorism, to terror, to covering the National Security issues that affect our nation, and i believe because i had that experience, that is what led me to it. So it changed my life completely. It changed my life forever, because i spent so many of the last years of my life in the middle east and in south asia covering the war like osler. So what we are seeing today him and we have to understand this, these islamists are trying to divide us. Theyre trying to pit us against one another. We need to listen to reformers, people like osler and people like the doctor and others out there speaking the truth about what it really is, the essence of islam, of being muslim, and it is certainly is not in the middle east, and i will wrap it up. I have had the most exploratory experiences, beautiful friends, warm and welcoming people, and ive also i dont know if you would see the news today, but the department invested really right now, the press release that to women in brooklyn actually from queens, they pled guilty in brooklyn to basically preparing and planning to build a bomb and distribute bomb making instructions to followers. They are extremists and radicals, they follow, you know, groups like al qaeda and islamic state. And they actually had the intention of using a weapon of mass destruction or large bomb in the United States. These are two women, two american women. Muslim women that had been radicalized. So i think this is a really important discussion, i am really happy to be here, and i hope that osler and i can dispel some of the inaccurate information that is out there, and really get to the root of what is causing this rise in radicalism amongst some in the Muslim Community and what we can do as a nation to stop this, and to find a way to communicate and make a difference. And how has radicalism made its way to the u. S. . We are seeing a rise in domestic terrorism for both in terms of antisemitism, White Supremacy mama but also islam is in. And im wondering how you all see that making its way to the u. S. , how has that, how is that ideology getting root in a place where we value things like democracy and freedom and liberty . For me, i grew up, i came from india, and i lived first in new jersey, then i lived in morgantown, West Virginia. In the foothills of the appalachian mountains. My father was a professor at West Virginia university. And so when i was a teenager, i went for the annual eve party that we have that marks the end of ramadan. And normally, we would all mixed together just like we are in the room, men and women, sitting together, families together, husbands and wives next to each other, but one year, we were told as we walked into the front, women over there. And we were sent as women and girls into the little studio apartment that they graduate students lived in, and over there, the men would bring the food that all the women had cooked and leave it at the door, knock on the door and run away as if they were to look at us and then turned to stone. Because saudi students had come to campus. And they had brought with them suitcases of their ron, and their interpretation of islam, what she talks about. And what has happened in america that is of such importance to all of you who are interested in our political system, is that first the saudis, now the government of qatar and also now the current government of turkey has funded muslim organizations in the United States that believe in this islam is him which is the ideology of political islam, the idea of muslim supremacy, and these are organizations that some of you may be familiar with, like the council on American Islamic relations, and activists like an activist from oakland named linda. These individuals have now taken the ideology of islamism and put it forward in america as one of their agenda items. And what comes with that . What is really important to any of you that care about pluralism is antisemitism, a very clear agenda to destroy the state of israel, and as our last panel discussed, now what we are seeing is the unmasking of ideas. That we now know where people are espousing socialist ideas and saying it straight up, now with the rise of Rashida Tlaib and ilhan omar as a spokeswoman for this lobby, we see really clearly, we see justin this past week, the propaganda tour canceled by the Prime Minister of israel. Because he knew that in the agenda is the destruction of israel. And so that is the alarm bell. Want to raise with many of you. What has happened, they have inserted themselves into the Democratic Party platform. They have decided that liberal america and the left is the way that they are going to enter into american politics. This weekend is going to be a big muslim boat drive by all of these organizations. The interest is to have to the degree in the political system. P how do you think that has allowed this to happen. The womens march which was founded by was about the empowerment of women. These things do the exact opposite. How has this been able to become a Democratic Party platform when tested. You made such an important point, how did it happen. It happened slowly, especially when you have someone like Representative Ilhan Omar or Rashida Tlaib , coming out and making statements. It is very difficult for people on the left. Also for many people on the right to stand up to them. The one thing they are afraid of is the one thing they will automatically throwback. Anyone that criticizes them as well. Antimuslim or antiwomen, you do not understand culture. You do not understand where i come from. You must be a racist. Lot of people holdback. She challenged them. What happens when anybody challenges Rashida Tlaib and ilhan omar. Israel said no way. We know why you are here. That movement is so divisive. Closely with Palestinian Terrorist organization early on. You are not coming to israel. It was a very difficult decision i am sure. Felt the wrath of that and others across the globe. Israel understands where the women were coming from. I interviewed , she is muslim. She was in the United States now. She actually volunteered and took on a job as an interpreter. Eventually came to the u. S. She was a refugee is well in syria for a period of time. She went straight out after ilhan omar saying you do not represent me as a muslim woman. They had a backandforth battle going on. She was trying to dispel what ilhan omar and Rashida Tlaib are putting out there. They are saying there is a representation of muslim women across the grove tested globe. They are fighting this fight of antiwomen movement that has been pushed forward so strongly within. That stood up to the taliban and almost lost her life. Think about women in afghanistan. Stood up to people and said i am not going to marry that. As american, i need to stand up for these women. Unfortunately the left does not do that. Instead they and not willing to challenge them when we speak out. Ask what people seek. Hold them accountable for what they believe. Then stand up for women all over the world. Is one of the things you speak about is what is the alternative to what is happening. Is to provide the alternative. It is how israel reacted. I come from a society. We are in honor shame culture. That is often times the lever used to intimidate people into silence. That is the go to for the radical muslim lobby. They will try to shame you into silence. If you dare to question them, they will call you and is llama fold. I am exhibit a for what that supposedly looks like, according to their playbook. Idea to criticize that interpretation of islam that is a problem. On some level, we have to be shameless. It is the intellectual courage and conviction. I want to say, it is important to allow the same progress that has happened in christianity and judaism and even in the conservative movement. It is how you go back to tradition but you see with a clear eye what works for the present day and what doesnt. Islam was born in the seventh century. We are 700 years behind. Give us a little bit of slack for the fact that we have this with the club over the head for muslims. We are offering a vision and the reform movement. For an interpretation of islam. It is in the history of islam. They were living in iraq during the 10th and 12th century. They believed in Critical Thinking. They believed in the critical principle of the education system. They believed in rational thought. They were crushed. That is when the gates and Critical Thinking were closed. I appreciate that many of you are offering that opportunity. In another question. Ties and immigration and immigration policy. In sweden, attempted six and. The girls under 15 of 26 . The vast majority of men convicted of were foreign nationals. What lessons can we learn from europe in dealing with the crisis as the craft our own policy the in trying to protect the nation and borders. The subject mean so much to me. I spent much of my career on the u. S. And make order. I was in Central America and guatemala twice over the past year and plan on returning shortly. There are so many lessons we can learn. Lessons we can learn over decades as having the same problem in christ is repeated over and over. That i listened to some of my work in 2006. I was on the radio or the stories i wrote, back in 2014. There was a flood of undocumented children in the u. S. It sounded like i was talking today. The same christ. This is a National Security crisis at the border. It isnt just about immigration. The border is wide open. Not just to people we see coming from Central America that we have not operably vetted. Either they dont have identifiers or any identification on them. People from all over the world. We have seen increases of people coming from as far away as bangladesh, africa, congo, while i was in guatemala, there were a number of people that have come through. From bangladesh as well as from africa through brazil and up through columbia. And eventually through guatemala. We dont know who these people are. And less in a database, it has made this such a top plastic. It is a difficult challenge. This is antiimmigrant. It is not appropriate to taking care of children. We should basically after 20 days. We have a serious crisis. The time i spent, intelligence officers. They even say, the American People understood what was happening, i think all of them would something to happen. We dont always get that information. Unfortunately there is a lot of rhetoric out there. As far as immigration for me, it is still a major priority and a major part of my work. Also looking at how that is actually a National Security risk. Have been identified as belonging to a terrorist organization. We know that the dea and Border Patrol and immigration and customs and department of homeland security, Work Together cohesively, along with partners to the south, try to stop the flow of anybody that would be attempting to come into the country to do harm. It is almost impossible. There are so many people. Every time i hear about apprehension, i say those are whom we actually stop. What about all the people they didnt catch. That we didnt catch. That we didnt plastic. We see what is happening. It has become difficult for a countrys like italy and other nations which economically cant sustain it. They have to take in many people flooding the nation. We have to look at this as a comprehensive solution. It is not just building a wall. Is not just negotiating a safer agreement it is all about. And ensuring as well that the democrats are involved. People can politicize this all they want. What happens if something does come across the border. Who will be sitting at that september 11 commission. For decades we have been crying out there is a National Security threat at the border. That is the question. I would add, when we talk about the muslim lobby and immigration issue, they have made themselves a key part of the coalition, to have open borders and pick president trumps policies as a muslim band. They are intent on promoting the democratic agenda when it comes to immigration. What they arent interested in doing is forcing and demanding the kind of expert tatians that have been surrendered in europe that have created the kind of situations that you have taught about correlated to crime and sexual assault. That is that simple principle of integration. I came to this country when i was four years old. It was nancy drew that was my best friend. I too love country music. What mountaineer wouldnt . That is the challenge for all of us. I met some immigrants that were Asylum Seekers in greece this summer. I introduced them to an exhibit that i had done, related to my friend danny pearls story. One of them literally were a baseball cap with a naked what he seven on it. It was basically the gun of the militant. I told them the story of the kidnapping and murder. This young man, whom i have had fish in about had tears in his eyes because this tragedy spoke to him all so. This is the group that we need to integrate. People are coming into this country, it is on all of our shoulders to find a way that the pathway to american identity is one in sync with our values. My father was most moved when he was a student at kansas date because he went to a church and watched the car wash. At the carwash, the pastor was there, along with the teenager washing cars to raise money for the church. It is in those simple values that we can preserve the incredible fabric that is america. We will turn it over to the audience for questions. The thing man raised his hand quickly, we will let him go first. Thank you for the young man. I greatly appreciate it. I thought you were talking to someone behind me. Phyllis chesler was one of the founders of the modern feminist movement with Gloria Steinem and that. For the last decade to two, she has been thoroughly ostracized from the feminist community because of two issues. One, support of the only Democratic State in the middle east, israel and secondly, because she speaks out against the treatment of women in so many islamic countries. Could you both speak to the deafening silence of the american feminist community. About what is happening to their sisters in islamic countries. I am familiar with ellis chesler and her contribution. They are a reflection of the honor and shame culture in which i was born. What has happened with the movement is the point of the womens march. It has been hijacked by muslim leaders. They want absolutely no about the womens right issue. They know it is the achilles heel. They know that if you dare to touch that issue, you will end up with an indefensible argument related to segregation and lack of equal right. So many fundamental issues. They have completely abandoned to me, women and so many muslim countries, like the women in iran that want to simply have the right to feel the wind in their hair. Such a simple idea. That is able to walk freely, this is the feeling that i have. Do you know how amazing experiences is . The feminist Movement Today wants to say that you are islamophobia if you talk about these issues. But i say stand up and have moral courage and feel no shame about raising these important issues. Thank you for this important question. This is not about culture, its about human rights and the dignity. And if any of these women actually cared enough about their fellow women they would be outraged and they would stand up against this. There is always strength and that numbers. When i hear someone like omar talking about coming from a different cultural place. I know, ive traveled through these regions where i spent my childhood. And countries that were completely different than my own, but this is not about culture. This is about human rights and the dignity. I can tell you in afghanistan i spent so much time with the young girls , covering stories and i will never forget one little girl whose mother was recovering from opioid addiction there was a female doctor who saw me and deer started coming out of her eyes. . I asked the doctor why she was crying . And she said ill never have the chance to be a doctor or somebody like you. And i said what you mean . She said my father is forcing me to marry an elder in the village. And ill never go to school. My heart just broke. She wasnt happy about that. This wasnt a culturally great moment for her. Her village had been dominated by the taliban for a very long time. This little girl felt like she had no one to defend her. And when you think about this , and how they said they will stand by them. And repeat this. That is really a brave thing to do. We should not turn our heads to people that are suffering. We come from an extraordinary mission. We should make sure that that light shines and it women get that courage and other countries to stand up and fight for their dignity. We have another question . You are a cofounder of the Muslim Reform Movement. If all the things that many people see as hate o were remove nothing would be left. How can we reform islam is getting rid of all the bad are divine laws . But thank you for that great question. Reminds me of the tour we want to start. When omar was asked about her position on female genital mutilation. She yelled at the woman and said that is an appalling question that i refuse to answer. We want to start a tour of honoring islam by asking appalling questions. This is a really critical question about the violent verses and chapters. When the question was asked is started with an assumption that a later verse usurps an earlier verse. So when the psalm was founded it was in the city of mecca and there were more peaceful versus. And then later when the prophet mohammed moved to modena and was at war there were more violent verses. Theres a couple fundamental ideas about the study of sacred text. Saying that we do not agree that aggregation is the analysis with what we approach the chapters and verses in the koran. We denied the fundamental premise of the shuffle. And it denies the idea that you have to take each chapter and verse literally. This is something that christians have had to deal with related to the chapter and verse in the bible. Sometimes we might look at a verse more metaphorically. One example in the seventh century one of the interpretations was that a girl got less inheritance than her brother. It was considered progressive because a daughter was finally getting inheritance that she was otherwise denied. In that spirit of progressiveness we now say its the 21st century and that daughter receives equal to a son. Women were never witnesses to men. And then it became two women become equal to 1. But that was progressive, and moving along with that progressive spirit today. One woman equals one man as a witness. On the violent verses, what we also do is say that they were revealed at that time when mohammed was fighting with these tribes and it was the battle plan for the war but its not for all time. Essentially it means ripping pages out of the koran. Which could put a target on our backs. But having that Critical Thinking is essential to having progress and that is how we handle what we will be left with in terms of the text and the teaching. But unfortunately we are out of time but we would love to dig into this. Theres so much more to cover in terms of protecting american values. I want to say thank you to our wonderful panelists and the Steamboat Institute for putting on this very important form. The 2019 Steamboat Institute Freedom Conference hosted former Trump Campaign Economic Advisor steve moore and bhaskar sunkara. This is a one hour