September 12, 2003

Councilwoman Jan Perry

The Council Members were flanked by Rabbi Allan Freehling, Executive Director of the LA City Human Relations Commission, who was representing L.A. Mayor James K. Hahn, Ban Al-Wardi, President of the L.A./Orange County chapter of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Najee Ali from Project Islamic H.O.P.E., Dr. Maher Hathout, Spokesman for the Islamic Center of Southern CA and Senior Advisor to the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), Salam Al-Marayati, Executive Director of MPAC and Sarah Eltantawi, Communications Director of MPAC.

Communications Director of MPAC Sarah Eltantawi opened the press conference by saying that the notion that Muslims had not condemned 9/11 was a canard and a lie promoted either by opportunists or out of ignorance. Eltantawi referenced MPAC's track record, a 60-page bibliography that documents press conferences, statements, forums and publications that addressed the issue of counterterrorism and the scourge of terrorism stretching back into the late 1980's. Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa profusely apologized for the mix-up, saying that American Muslims were a vibrant part of Los Angeles who played a central role in healing the city after 9/11. Villaraigosa repeatedly stressed that it is not true that American Muslims did not condemn 9/11.

Councilwoman Jan Perry reiterated these sentiments, adding, "I would like to make clear that the responsibility to introduce the motion in question was mine and mine alone." In a statement Perry released on 9/11/03, Perry said:

"I would like to renounce the press release, dated September 11, 2003, drafted by Ted Hayes, the coordinator of the '9/11 Sunrise Vigil.' Mr. Hayes' press release was offensive and did not represent the opinions of any of the elected officials or city officials referenced in the text. In fact, the press release was distributed to the news media without the approval of those reference therein. The Muslim community deserves the respect due to all people and I am committed to working to end all forms of hatred and intolerance.

"The intention of the resolution was to commemorate this tragic event and remember lost loved ones. We all share in this loss and I know that the Muslim community has been an active part of this worldwide mourning process and has aggressively condemned the tragedy of 9/11. I will remove this motion from consideration as it is not representative of my beliefs and is patently offensive."

Dr. Maher Hathout, representing the Islamic Center of Southern California and MPAC, urged that the city council undergo sensitivity training and co-sponsor a forum on Counterterrorism with MPAC. Hathout added that MPAC had just released a new Counterterrorism paper, available on MPAC's website.