Obama's Muslim Outreach Director Resigns

Mazen Asbahi Steps Down After Revelations Of Connections To Fundamentalist Imam

(AP)  An attorney who volunteered to help Barack Obama improve his relationship with Muslim and Arab-Americans has resigned from the campaign amid questions about his connection to a fundamentalist imam.

Mazen Asbahi started as the campaign's outreach coordinator on July 26, and he resigned in a letter to the campaign Monday. He said he was stepping down "to avoid distracting from Barack Obama's message of change."

Asbahi, an associate at the Chicago law firm Schiff Hardin, said in his letter that he served on the board of the Dow Jones Islamic Index Fund for a few weeks, but resigned "as I became aware of public allegations against another member of the board."

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that the other board member during Asbahi's tenure in 2000 was Jamal Said, imam at a fundamentalist-controlled mosque in Illinois. The Justice Department named Said as an unindicted co-conspirator in the racketeering trial last year of several alleged Hamas fundraisers. The case ended in a mistrial. The newspaper said the connections were first exposed by an Internet newsletter.

Obama, who is a Christian, has been fighting false Internet rumors that he is a Muslim. Asbahi, in a post on the Obama campaign blog last week, said that had created "added sensitivities" between the campaign and the Muslim community, and he encouraged Muslims and Arab-Americans to get involved.

The campaign previously conducted outreach to the community through its interfaith outreach program and the Muslim American outreach desk at the Democratic Party. Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt said the campaign is searching for a new volunteer coordinator to replace Asbahi.

Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations' Michigan chapter, said Asbahi was a victim of Internet rumors.

"This incident just shows how Islamophobic the political climate is right now," Walid said. "Baseless smears about a Muslim with a very good reputation was used to marginalize not only him but the community from the political process.

"If someone like Mr. Asbahi can't be vetted to work for the Obama campaign, then who can?"

A message was left Wednesday afternoon for Asbahi by The Associated Press seeking comment.

[praiseallah1]

Thats because he is a supporter of terrorism and wants the U.S. Constitution to be replaced with Sharia Law. It shows the inexperience and lack of judgement Obama has.

[allurfears]

Sounds just like the red-baiting of the 50''s. Where is Joe McCarthy? Oh yeah- a "Hero of the Republican Party" being channeled by John McBush.

[wellhell3]

Thats because he is a supporter of terrorism and wants the U.S. Constitution to be replaced with Sharia Law. It shows the inexperience and lack of judgement Obama has.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by praiseallah1 at 06:22 PM : Aug 06, 2008

Or exposes his intention!

[cfin5]

I see the rise of "Independent Democrats" this election. These folks aren''t stupid to believe Barack in things "America First". They don''t around here anyway,....never heard so much griping and blasphemy in my life. The DNC gypped them and they know it. I thought the republicans were bad this year, but they''re second fiddle on this subject. The regular dems want Hillary. Denver will show you that. For me, I still miss RON PAUL and its not because he''s in the republican party. His public service is a member of the Integrity Party of America if you will and all the reasonable facts similar thereof. I believe if our Founding Fathers could come back and donate money to ANY of the candidates,....only Dr. Paul would get it this election as well as a handshake. Probable would buy a picture with him too!

[praiseallah1]

All Muslims are extremists who are slowly integrating Sahria Law into American Law and their goal is to replace the U.S. Constitution with Sharia Law. Look at the recent Burger King lawsuit over the company deciding not two hire two Muslim women for wearing scarves, look at Tyson Foods in Tennessee appeasing Muslims by giving them time on the clock to pray and providing a foot bath on company property but not offer any concessions to people of other faiths. I emailed Tyson Foods to tell them that what they are doing is a disgrace and that I will no longer buy food processed by Tyson. I hope others will do the same.

[johnbush2-2009]

Obama is an antisemitic muslim. It is no surprise that muslims with fundamentalist beliefs support him.

[johnbush2-2009]

"If someone like Mr. Asbahi can''t be vetted to work for the Obama campaign, then who can?" asked Mr Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations'' Michigan chapter.

The fact is that all muslims are terrorists. Their goal is to implement Sharia Law in the US. Muslims believe they can achieve their goal through the closet muslim Obama.

[peterp111]

I''m starting to agree that the only thing that has Obama in this contest is race. Imagine an Obama that was 70 years old and white - a guy with no experience, no ideas, and who betrays his voters every chance he gets. A small-time lawyer from Chicago. He would have 0% chance of winning the nomination. Obama''s entire campaign is "hey I''m different" but when you pay attention, the only way he is "different" is his fake mixed race. That is the only thing remotely "different" about this two-bit little con man from Chicago. Otherwise he is one of the phoniest, insincere, selfish and small-minded politicians you will ever see on the national stage.

[dante805]

Imagine that. hardly a word by the media on this. Hmmm. What a fraud. This guy Obama is so out-of-touch. What do you expect from a Harvard educated Lawyer.

[gaye5]

Having an attorney who was helping Barack Obama with the Muslim people stand down because of his connection to a fundamentalist imam, is making Obama look more and more sus. Obama backs his Muslim relatives in Kenya in their campaigning in the elections and now this, hmmmm.

[gaye5]

praiseallah1, good on you, I am sick of the appeasement of these people, no other race gets this attention and if I was from another country I would be angry at the discrimination that I was recieving. If we allow sharia law, then we must Indian law (after all they were there first) and also we must have Chinese law, and Indian law, japanese law, Indonesian law, etc.. yep lets really divide the country... and if I lived in America I also would not buy from any company which bowed down to Muslims. What they do in their own time is their business, but dont take up time from their job 5 times a day to pray in our companies, and if they dont like it they can go home or get a job with one of their own people who doesnt mind this waste of time, ok it isnt a waste of time to them but it is to their bosses...
Italy is paying immigrants who are unemployed, money to denounce their citizinships and go home now...

[bigwhtpony]

Where is Joe McCarthy? Oh yeah- a "Hero of the Republican Party" being channeled by John McBush.
Posted by allurfears at 09:15 PM : Aug 06, 2008

The really funny thing is, Joe McCarthy was proven to be correct. Bedwetting liberals are always 60 years behind reality. That''s why they''re STILL trying to push tired socialist/communist agendas that have been tried and failed in other countries. Enjoy your Kool Aid.

[gaye5]

johnbush2, good point about being vetted. And notice that the attorney stepped down to avoid distracting from Barack Obama''s message of change." (what change would that be???, he didnt want people to be side tracked eh.
Obama says he is a Christian, which means that as the left are socialist that Obama is a socialist Christian, but how can a left winged person be a Christian when the left wings beliefs are totally against what the bible says, they believe in abortion, gay marriages, homosexuality, stem cell research from embros, *** before marriage, euthanasia etc...
All you have to do is look up what the socialist agenda is and you can see, even to the abolition of the land that we own, all is to be owned by the state.. or look up socialism, and of course its twin brother communism, or the fabian society as all are inter-related..

[johnbush2-2009]

Why are muslims rushing to volunteer for the Obama campaign??

The obviously know for a fact that Obama is a muslim!

[whatshop]

The Republicans are sure desperate! A lawyer volunteers to help with a campaign and in 2000 he served on the board of the Dow Jones Islamic Index Fund for a few weeks with some Imam and this proves Obama is a Muslim?
Has anyone in the GOP graduated from high school? Can''t prove it by the discussions posted below. YIKES!

[obama8years]

Obama and Rev Wright Have both been involved with the ISM. They are trying to erase any bit of evidence.

[shaheed92]

The obviously know for a fact that Obama is a muslim!

Posted by johnbush2 at 11:29 AM : Aug 07, 2008
_________________________

So what%u2019s wrong with Muslims? Do you know there are over 1.4 billions Muslims in the world, more than they have Catholic. In your puny mind do you think all Muslims are terrorists; are all Catholics paedophiles, do all Hindus believe in self-immolation, and what about Mormon people, atheists, etc. all different from you. Are you a racist bigot, a religious bigot, or just plain stupid?

[daqueen5]

Here are some points to ponder. 1. How many presidents since George Washington has had a muslim in their campaign? Can you think of one? 2. How many presidents since day one have had an Arabic name? Again, can you think of one? The USA is based on Judeo-Christian values. If you are a muslim, you simply don''t belong in the USA. Your ideas are not compatible with the US. If you are here in the USA, you adopt the values of America; America doesn''t change for you. Got it?

[shaheed92]

Not only are you ignorant, as are most bigots, you are also stupid!

Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

John Adams 1795 Treaty of Tripoli

[obama8years]

The obviously know for a fact that Obama is a muslim!

Posted by johnbush2 at 11:29 AM : Aug 07, 2008
_________________________

So what%u2019s wrong with Muslims? Do you know there are over 1.4 billions Muslims in the world, more than they have Catholic. In your puny mind do you think all Muslims are terrorists; are all Catholics paedophiles, do all Hindus believe in self-immolation, and what about Mormon people, atheists, etc. all different from you. Are you a racist bigot, a religious bigot, or just plain stupid?
---------------------------------------------------
I have to agree. Not every Muslim is a terrorist, but when polls were taking Millions of Muslims in America and Canada Support Sharia Law and would support terrorist. So the polls give pause to what Muslims are doing in this country. And after 911 , I am More cautious about Muslims makes me a racist, than so be it. I urge every American to alert authorities to any suspicious activity, especially by young middle eastern men.

[shaheed92]

Not only are you ignorant, as are most bigots, you are also stupid!

Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

John Adams 1795 Treaty of Tripoli

GOT IT???

[obama8years]

Not only are you ignorant, as are most bigots, you are also stupid!

Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

John Adams 1795 Treaty of Tripoli
-----------------------------------------------
What does Adams say about Muslim Terrorist Crashing Planes in too Buildings

[obama8years]

Here are some points to ponder. 1. How many presidents since George Washington has had a muslim in their campaign? Can you think of one? 2. How many presidents since day one have had an Arabic name? Again, can you think of one? The USA is based on Judeo-Christian values. If you are a muslim, you simply don''''t belong in the USA. Your ideas are not compatible with the US. If you are here in the USA, you adopt the values of America; America doesn''''t change for you. Got it?
------------------------------------------------
There are Millions Behind you, Look at London and ask yourself is this what you want for your country. I welcome Middle Eastern People of all faiths except ISLAM. We didnt embrace Nazis, so why would we embrace ISLAM. THAT IS A GUTTER IDEOLOGY.

[obama8years]

If Barack Obama didn%u2019t know about Abunimah%u2019s writings (and Abunimah says he did), the same as his claims of being unaware of Reverend Wright%u2019s remarks after 20 years, then Obama is not competent to be our President. Abunimah likes to lie and claim Al Awda has nothing to do with the ISM or Electronic Intifada, though plenty of evidence exists on the website the homepage at www.StoptheISM.com showing the contrary.

But Obama%u2019s association with the ISM through his church and lobbying in Chicago goes even deeper than just his past links to Al Awda and Ali Abunimah. His pastor, Jeremiah Wright, and the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, are both equally involved with the ISM.

[obama8years]

Now, it has become the ISM%u2019s time to deconstruct religious dogma of Israel belonging to the Jews as is preached in US churches and to increase the number of black churches in America that are working in %u201Csolidarity%u201D with this program. Jeremiah Wright%u2019s church is one of them. Even though the national synod of the United Church for Christ rescinded a boycott and divestment plan against Israel, a wing of the UCC church keeps trying to get it reinstated. That wing includes Reverend Wright%u2019s Trinity UCC Church in Chicago. Few people know also, that there are many Muslim members of Reverend Wright%u2019s %u201CChristian%u201D church, a close ally of Sabeel.

Led by a Palestinian Christian pastor named Naim Ateek, Sabeel%u2019s purpose is as part of the ISM

[shaheed92]

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF BIGOTRY, IGNORANCE AND STUPIDITY!

I have to agree. Not every Muslim is a terrorist, but when polls were taking Millions of Muslims in America and Canada Support Sharia Law and would support terrorist. So the polls give pause to what Muslims are doing in this country. And after 911 , I am More cautious about Muslims makes me a racist, than so be it. I urge every American to alert authorities to any suspicious activity, especially by young middle eastern men.

Posted by Obama8years at 02:57 PM : Aug 07, 2008
_______________________

There are over 8 million Muslims living in this country. And not one case of domestic terrorism has resulted in a conviction of any domestic Muslim. The same cannot be said of the Jews: The attack on Congressman Darrell Isa of California committed by members of the JDL. The JDL in Florida to kill an American doctor. Maybe all Jews should be deported also. In fact, maybe anyone who cannot trace their ancestry back to the Native American should be deported. Does that include you?

[shaheed92]

Posted by Obama8years at 03:04 PM : Aug 07, 2008
______________________

All of your posts are nothing more than childish copying and pasting of gibberish. Grow up; get a life.

[shaheed92]

What does Adams say about Muslim Terrorist Crashing Planes in too Buildings

Posted by Obama8years at 02:59 PM : Aug 07, 2008
______________________

Your nonsensical statements reveal such ignorance and stupidity, forgive me if I fail to reply to any more of your garbage, but they deserve no response.

[obama8years]

What does Adams say about Muslim Terrorist Crashing Planes in too Buildings

Posted by Obama8years at 02:59 PM : Aug 07, 2008
______________________

Your nonsensical statements reveal such ignorance and stupidity, forgive me if I fail to reply to any more of your garbage, but they deserve no response.

----------------------------------------------
Is this statement nonsense. Are you a Member of the ISM? Are you one of the ISLAM Supporters who believe in this.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - About one-quarter of young American Muslims believe to some extent that suicide bombings can be justified to defend Islam, while nearly 80 percent of all U.S. Muslims reject such attacks, a survey showed on Tuesday.

[obama8years]

There are over 8 million Muslims living in this country. And not one case of domestic terrorism has resulted in a conviction of any domestic Muslim. The same cannot be said of the Jews: The attack on Congressman Darrell Isa of California committed by members of the JDL. The JDL in Florida to kill an American doctor. Maybe all Jews should be deported also. In fact, maybe anyone who cannot trace their ancestry back to the Native American should be deported. Does that include you?
----------------------------------------------
So with 8 Million Muslims, that means there are 2 million who support terrorism thru suicide bombings to protect there religion. If it was such a great religion, why is there a need to protect it. Islam is an ancient Cult, does not belong in the USA.

[obama8years]

And they wonder why we want Islam outlawed, similar to Nazi and Communism.

However, on CBC''s The National television program on the same day, this part of the poll was fleshed-out and the results are alarming.

Fully 12% of Muslim Canadians polled by Environics said the alleged terrorist plot -- that included kidnapping and beheading the prime minister and blowing up Parliament and the CBC -- was justified.

Predictably, the CBC managed to find a talking head -- in this case York University sociology professor Haideh Moghissi -- who dismissed this disturbing revelation.

"It''s really negligible that 12 percent feel that the attacks would be justified," said Moghissi. "I don''t think it even warrants attention."

Clearly, other news agencies and those who put the poll results on the CBC website agree with Moghissi.

But just how "negligible" is 12% of 700,000 people.

Well, if Moghissi knew arithmetic like she knows denial, she''d know if this poll is accurate, 84,000 Canadian Muslims think it''s justifiable to behead our democratically elected prime minister and blow up the very symbol and centre of our democracy!

[obama8years]

Sabeel has been actively working in cooperation with Chicago%u2019s Trinity UCC among certain other politically active churches in America to promote anti-Israel and even anti-Semitic beliefs that can erode American Christian support for Israel and hasten Israel%u2019s destruction. And Pastor Jeremiah Wright, pandering to his majority black congregation, has been teaching his own replacement theology, only this time its called %u201Cblack replacement theology.%u201D Jesus was not a Jew, says Wright, but a %u201Cblack man.%u201D Trinity UCC%u2019s relationship with the anti-Semitic Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam (funded by anti-Israel Libya) fits in nicely with this formula also. The Christian religious icon is no longer a Jew, but a black man and to accept this interpretation is the way to salvation for the black man. This not only deconstructs American church views of the legitimacy of Israel, but has a nice foothold with the likes of the Nation of Islam in the US black community.

[bigwhtpony]

Ubama is a ''Christian''? So is Bill Clinton and John Edwards!!! BLAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH!!!!!

[bigwhtpony]

Posted by Obama8years at 03:27 PM : Aug 07, 2008

What''s the name of that muslim organization that they keep putting of Fox? CIAO or something like that (or is that Italian for goodbye.)???? Anyway, it''s a front organization designed to push muslim ideology on the US taxpayer.

Foot washing fountains at airports, special schools, ROOMS for workers who are muslim to go ''pray''......give me a fvcking break!!!!!

I''m ready to start getting medieval on these muslims arses.....every single one of them!!!! Don''t like the US, get the fvck OUT or die trying!

[obama8years]

HOW MANY MORE HAMAS OR FOREIGNERS HAVE BEEN DONATING TO OBAMA???

The contributions also raise numerous questions about the Obama campaign''''s lax online donation form, which apparently allows for the possibility of foreign contributions.

Last week, the Atlas Shrugs blog outlined a series of donations in 2007 made to Obama''''s campaign from two individuals, Monir Edwan and Hosam Edwan, totaling $29,521.54.

In an online form on Obama''''s campaign site, the Edwans listed their street as "Tal Esaltan," which they wrote was located in "Rafah, GA."

Rafah is not a city in Georgia. The Atlas blog immediately raised concerns that the money may have been donated from the Gaza Strip town of Rafah.

The Edwans'''' donations are listed in both FEC filings and other election filing sites, such as CampaignMoney and donordata.org.

Monir made 20 donations ranging from $717 to $2017.50 from October through November 2007. His donations totaled $24321.41. Hosam made seven donations ranging from $508.63 to $1725.96, totaling $5,200.13, all in October 2007.

[obama8years]

Posted by Obama8years at 03:27 PM : Aug 07, 2008

What''''s the name of that muslim organization that they keep putting of Fox? CIAO or something like that (or is that Italian for goodbye.)???? Anyway, it''''s a front organization designed to push muslim ideology on the US taxpayer.

Foot washing fountains at airports, special schools, ROOMS for workers who are muslim to go ''''pray''''......give me a fvcking break!!!!!

I''''m ready to start getting medieval on these muslims arses.....every single one of them!!!! Don''''t like the US, get the fvck OUT or die trying!
----------------------------------------------------
CAIR its a TAXED EXEMPT ORGANIZATION, many of there members have been known to be tied to terrorism. Look it up. Google CAIR and Terrorism. Why Americans put up with this is beyond me. The Muslims are using our laws against us. And the Liberals are backing them up.

[gaye5]

shaheed92, after having read much of your holy books it appears that Mohammad/Allah praised those who killed, but the Bible does not tell prests to go out and become paedophiles... People who feel that most Muslims can only go by what they read in the quran and what they see. There has been over 1400 terrorist attacks since sep 11th and yet no outrage from Muslims however when someone is SAID to have put a Quran in the toilet there is world wide outrage and killings done by Muslims. There is never any outrage when your Imams/Learders and teachers teach your little children that they are to grow up and slaughter the infidels especially the Jews.. I think it is about time that you read your own holy books yourself and not just the first quarter which is in fact very good, but the rest is full of hate, kill, etc and there is nothing on loving and caring about others outside Islam, in fact there is not much about loving at all, just hate...

[gaye5]

There are tens of thousands of people killed every year by Muslims just because they are not Muslims, no where does other non Muslim religious books tell their followers to go out and slaughter all who will not submit, IN ALL THE WORLD???? no where does other leaders of religious books go out on raids as Mohammad did slaughtering, raping and taking slaves as they went all in the name of their god, as Mohammad did.. And no where do other holy books tell their believers that if they slaughter those who will not submit and are killed in the process, that they are rewarded with blessings of may virgins whether their desires are beautiful boys or young virgin girls. What about the women eh...

[gaye5]

I notice that this does not apply to women who die while killing the infidel. Even though your men are allowed 4 wives if they can support them propely and care for them, plus they can have *** with their slaves etc, your men are not allowed to have a constant aray of virgins on earth, yet they can have their brothels in paridise hmm, and yet Muhammad offered women little hope for the afterlife.
Indeed, he clearly states that most of the inhabitants of hell are women who were ungrateful to their husbands (though he never suggests that ungrateful husbands will receive similar a punishment). This means that, after being admonished, banished to a separate bed, and beaten by her husband, all a willful woman can look forward to is an eternity in hell: And she will never know if she has been good enough to make it to paradise..
yep sure sounds like a peaceful religion to me.
You see shaheed92 because of Sep 11th, many of us who are the hated because we are infidels have taken a look at why you do what you do, why you hate us so much to want to kill us, so perhaps it is about time that Muslims who dont know their own holy books should take a look at what is in there as we have... and perhaps they will be just as horrified as we have been while we studied these many versions..