Special Message from Edina Lekovic on Senate's Ft. Hood Hearing: Must Watch Video of Testimony Featuring MPAC
November 20, 2009
Dear Friends,
I would like to share with you some powerful news, which took place at a Senate hearing this morning, and involves you!
Today, the Senate Homeland Security Committee held its first hearing into the question of whether the Ft. Hood attacks could have been prevented by military and law enforcement officials. The five witnesses who were called to testify weighed in on whether the Army should have identified Maj. Nidal Hasan as a threat based on known information.
One of the high-charged questions the committee considered today was the influence of international extremist groups on American Muslims. Under an intense national spotlight, the Senate Homeland Security Committee ultimately recognized loudly and clearly the work of the American Muslim community to counter extremism and work for full integration.
Al-hamdullilah, MPAC played a pivotal role in shifting the direction of the discourse.
The defining moment in the hearing took place when witness Juan Zarate, Senior Advisor to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, cited a recent article written by our very own Executive Director, Salam Al-Marayati, called "Ft. Hood: A Defining Moment for Muslim Americans."
Click here to watch the video.
(Juan Zarate discusses Salam's article from 77:45 - 80:15)
Midway through his testimony, Zarate said:
"Fortunately, the U.S. has largely been immune from the larger social and economic problems of Muslim citizen integration and the attendant problems of radicalization found throughout Europe and in parts of Asia. Much of this can be attributed to the fundamental integration of all immigrants into American society as Americans and to the common ideals and counter narrative of the American dream....
"I applaud leaders like Salam Al-Marayati, the executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, who has issued a clarion call to fellow Muslim Americans. In a recent article, he called the Ft. Hood attacks a 'defining moment for Muslim Americans.' ...[In it, he says] 'We, as Muslim Americans, are the answer to this frightening phenomenon of terrorism and violent extremism. We own our own destiny, and it is fundamentally intertwined with our nation's destiny. Terrorism will be defeated with our work on the frontlines, not in the battlefields, but in our mosques and community centers and youth associations. By standing up and working for change, we are acting on the best and guiding principles of Islam and of America.'"
In subsequent testimony, Brian Jenkins from the RAND Corporation, also said:
"I think it's important for Muslims to speak out publicly but also there is evidence of a great deal of quiet activity within the community. We are talking about people attempting to ensure that their family members, friends, and colleagues do not go down a destructive and self-destructive path. There is a great deal of pressure in the community against this type of ideology."
Following the testimony of all five witnesses, Committee member Sen. Thomas Carper (D-DE) asked Zarate: "Near the end of your testimony, you quoted something to the effect that 'We Muslim Americans are the defining answer to terrorism...' Would you just go back and revisit that comment for us? ...Of all the comments given by witnesses, that one just jumped right off the page for me..."
Click here to watch the video.
(Sen. Carper asks for more information about MPAC from minutes 111-116)
This insight completely changed the nature of the discussion which took place in the hearing. For more than 20 years, MPAC, with your consistent support, has been working to create a place at the table for American Muslims to be involved in policy discussions that affect our communities. MPAC is the Muslim American organization that's part of the discourse at this level.
Don't get us wrong -- it's certainly not all rosy. Despite Defense Secretary Gates' and Admiral Mullen's advice to wait for the evidence to come in, there were premature discussions on labeling the murderous rampage an act of "terrorism" before an investigation has been completed. And Sen. John McCain continued to focus on whether "political correctness" got in the Army's way of rooting Maj. Hasan out before his deadly actions. But here's the plain truth -- we're fighting an uphill battle, in which we have to fight for every single step forward.
Today's events signal to us that, working with you and as a result of your support, MPAC is incrementally and significantly pushing the needle of change in national discourse on the question of American Muslims' loyalties and motivations as Americans.
Our visionary approach to building an American Muslim identity, on providing a critical perspective on counterterrorism and counter-extremism, and our consistent work to enhance the civic and political participation of American Muslims all around the country is a testament of your support.
Please click here to give generously to the MPAC Foundation today to help support, sustain and expand MPAC's important work to expand the Muslim American voice in the halls of Congress and the airwaves of mainstream media.
Sincerely,
Edina Lekovic
Communications Director
