Texas imam criticised for lack of apology over anti-Semitic sermon
Anti-Defamation League say Imam Raed Saleh Al-Rousan's statement 'indicates he doesn’t fully understand the ramifications' of his speech
Jewish groups have rejected an Imam’s statement in which he failed to explicitly apologise for an anti-Semitic sermon.
Imam Raed Saleh Al-Rousan of Houston’s Tajweed Institute earlier this month delivered what he called an “impassioned sermon,” according to a statement about the speech issued on Wednesday.
Al-Rousan had delivered his inflammatory speech on Dec. 8, two days after President Donald Trump announced the United States’ recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
He said: “Judgment Day will not come until the Muslims fight the Jews. The Muslims will kill the Jews.”
The imam also asserted in his speech that Jews “killed the Prophets and the Messengers of Allah.” He accused Britain of bringing Jews to Palestine, adding “So do not tell me that Palestine is the country of the Jewish people. No!”
A video of the imam’s speech was first translated and distributed last week by the Middle East Media Research Institute, or MEMRI.
Houston Imam Raed Saleh Al-Rousan: 'Good Tidings' – Muslims Will Kill Jews On Judgment Day; 'Do Not Tell Me That Palestine Is The Country Of The Jewish [People]' pic.twitter.com/hK6EGuOyaw
— MEMRI (@MEMRIReports) December 19, 2017
Following calls to apologise by The Anti-Defamation League, the Imam responded by saying “I unequivocally affirm and uphold the dignity, sanctity and value of all human life, including – of course – people of the Jewish faith,”
“I must also state in no uncertain terms that I am absolutely and completely opposed to and disgusted by all forms of terrorism, all terrorists, and I oppose anyone who would commit, call for, or threaten violence against civilians. This is why as a person of faith and a religious leader, that I am mortified that an impassioned sermon I gave in light of President Trump’s Jerusalem declaration is being seen as a call for the very things I despise.”
However, the local Anti-Defamation League’s division rejected this response, saying the “statement released by Imam Al-Rousan indicates he doesn’t fully understand the ramifications of his sermon.”
“We would like to see Imam Al-Rousan unequivocally apologise to the Jewish community for his highly inflammatory sermon and through future actions, demonstrate he is committed to understanding why the sermon was an incitement to violence,”
“We are deeply troubled that a local Imam used the Jerusalem announcement as a pretext to scapegoat Jews and call for their deaths and Israel’s destruction. Calls to violence and appeals to anti-Semitism and hatred are completely unacceptable and have no place in any mosque or house of worship. This is incitement to violence borne of hatred, the likes of which we have seen before from Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups. We hope that our Muslim brothers and sisters will likewise publicly condemn the Imam’s hateful words.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
