09-23-2004, 02:14 PM
At a news conference today in Washington, D.C., the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued a statement that read in part:
"Treating mainstream and moderate Muslims like Yusuf Islam as if they are
criminals or terrorists, without bringing charges or allowing for due
process, sends the message to the Islamic world that even those who seek
peace and condemn terror are not fit to enter the United States. We call on
the Bush administration to explain why Yusuf Islam was barred from coming
to this country and whether other internationally-respected Muslim
travelers or scholars will face such treatment in the future. This not the
way to win the hearts and minds of Muslims worldwide."
The Washington-based group also renewed its request for an explanation as
to why the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked the visa of
an Islamic scholar who was due to begin teaching at the University of Notre
Dame. In July, DHS officials revoked a visa previously granted to Professor
Tariq Ramadan, a well-known Islamic scholar who is often described as a
"moderate." A statement issued at that time by Notre Dame
said: "Professor Ramadan is a distinguished scholar and a voice for
moderation in the Muslim world.We know of no reason his entry should be
prevented."