Act Now -- Contact Sen. Kyl to Express Concern About Endorsement of Islamophobic Film
February 24, 2009
On Thursday, February 26, Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) will host a viewing of the controversial short film "Fitna." The film's script was written by Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders, a recognized Islamophobe also known for his xenophobic position against foreigners and immigrants.
MPAC today requested a meeting with Senator Kyl's office. For a senior member of Congress to hold such a biased and ill-informed forum is an irresponsible action which leads to divisiveness and feeds into extremism.
Senator Kyl's event will be open only to members of Congress and may feature an appearance by Wilders, who was denied entry into the United Kingdom earlier this month because U.K. officials said he posed a threat to public order.
SEE: "Sen. Kyle Hosts Anti-Islamic Dutch Lawmaker" (Associated Press, Feb. 23)
The film will screen on the same day that Senator John Kerry (D-MA), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will hold a hearing on "Engaging with Muslim Communities around the World." Area and foreign policy experts, including former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Gallup Center for Muslim Studies Executive Director Dalia Mogahed, and Interfaith Youth Core Executive Director Eboo Patel, are among the panel of experts scheduled to testify.
"Fitna" was released in March 2008 on the internet and features cherry-picked verses from the Qur'an that equate violence with Islam. At the center of the film are five verses from the Qur'an which are mistranslated, quoted out of context and misinterpreted by Wilders to support his claim that the text is the inspiration for so-called Muslim violence and hate taking place today. The film was a flop at its release.
REQUESTED ACTION:
- Call Senator Kyl's office and voice your concern and disappointment in his endorsement of "Fitna." Ask him to publicly endorse Senator Kerry's hearing on "Engaging with Muslim Communities around the World" instead of hosting the film viewing.
Senator Jon Kyl
Washington, DC office: 202-224-4521
Phoenix office: 602-840-1891
- Thank Senator Kerry for his leadership and commitment to fostering positive and productive relations with the Muslim American community and Muslims around the world. State your support for the hearing on "Engaging with Muslim Communities around the World."
Senator John Kerry
Washington, DC office: 202-224-2742
Boston office: 617-565-8519
