Yesterday, March 8, International Women’s Day, I watched Elliot Spitzer’s interview with Brigitte Gabriel on CNN’s In the Arena. Ms. Gabriel, a native of Lebanon and founder of American Congress for Truth and ACT is also known for speaking against radical Islamic religious radicalism.
During the show, Ms. Gabriel, true to her form, told In the Arena host Elliot Spitzer that “America has been infiltrated on all levels by radicals who wish to harm America. They have infiltrated us at the CIA, at the FBI, at the Pentagon, at the State Department. They’re being radicalized in radical mosques, in our cities and communities within the United States.”
Imam Faisal Rauf, who later appeared on the show with Mr. Spitzer, found Ms. Gabriel’s statements to be “serious accusations.” But against whom? Should it even be relevant to the Imam?
The statement that Ms. Gabriel made, that radicals have infiltrated the American government is not my primary concern. I’m quite sure that there are people whose job it is to handle such things, if it were the case.
March 8 was International Women’s Day, after all; and, watching a television station that portrays itself as sensitive and tolerant, I expected a display of such or a challenge to the lack of it and not a capitulation to the status quo. Needless to tell you that I was appalled that Elliot Spitzer, the host of In the Arena, said absolutely nothing when Imam Rauf refused to appear together with Ms. Gabriel on the show. I could not see that behavior as very conducive to building bridges and improving relationships. Mr. Spitzer, as he introduced the Imam, for some odd reason, perhaps unconsciously, informed the viewers that “the Imam did not want to appear with Ms. Gabriel, but he couldn’t be more opposed to what she has had to say.”
Shocking? The ASMA (American Society for Muslim Advancement) describes Imam Rauf as a man who “preaches a message of peace and understanding between people, regardless of creed, nationality, or political beliefs,” and that Imam Rauf “has dedicated his life to building bridges between Muslims and the West and is a leader in the effort to build religious pluralism and integrate Islam into modern society.” I’m not sure about you, but based on that, I expected the Imam to display a bit of tolerance for Brigitte Gabriel.
I’m not sure which was more disappointing; was it seeing Imam Feisal Rauf—a “relationship builder”—blatant refusing to appear alongside a woman on national television as:
- a gesture of his lack of tolerance?
- did he not want militant Muslims to see him associating with someone who vehemently opposes radicalism and militancy?
- does he have a dislike for Ms. Gabriel that he does not want to even challenge her or agree with her publicly
- was he in need of a Useful Idiot to ask for taxpayer money?
What credibility do you expect, if you preach tolerance and publicly display such intolerance?
When Mr. Spitzer told Imam Faisal Rauf: “… I want you on this program tonight to be the voice of moderation,” Imam Rauf replied, “My limitation is resources and manpower more than anything else.”
Call it foolish, even delusional, but I had hoped to hear a word against militant Islam. Instead, I saw a display of intolerance and someone asking for taxpayer dollars, to which the host, so quick to agree with a guest, missed an opportunity to ask for the clarification needed to inform the viewers. Why did the Imam refuse to appear with Brigitte Gabriel?
Martin Luther King Jr. once said that “the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
