Posted on 08/25/2005 6:18:31 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
GARDEN GROVE – An Orange County grocery store owner has been questioned by the FBI in connection with his membership in an Islamic group banned in parts of Europe and the Middle East for its radical views, according to FBI and Islamic Institute of Orange County officials.
Iyad K. Hilal, 56, an amateur writer and philosopher on Islamic themes, earlier this month was accused by a Fox News commentator, John Loftus, of being the head of the California-based faction of Hizb ut- Tahrir, or Party of Liberation, a fragmented group of Muslim scholars and activists in Europe, the Middle East and the U.S.
No charges have been filed against Hilal. The FBI declined to describe its inquiries as a formal investigation.
"We're looking into the matter," said FBI spokeswoman Cathy Viray.
The Fox News allegations sparked media interest into the California group's activities and writings, which espouse, among other things, the incompatibility of Islam and democracy, and the return to the ancient Caliphate political system in Muslim countries.
"They hold a very idealistic, romantic view of how Muslims should live in a Muslim majority country," said Hussam Ayloush, head of the Southern California Council on American Islamic Relations. "They oppose the integration of Muslims into and their participation in the political process here in America."
Ayloush said the U.S. faction of the group was not known to be violent or to support violent groups.
Hilal, who was seen praying and talking with members of the Islamic Society of Orange County on Wednesday, did not return calls. His Garden Grove duplex was shuttered while staff at his small grocery off Cerritos Avenue in Stanton said he had not come to work.
(Excerpt) Read more at ocregister.com ...
You know, if the Government won't run CAIR out of this country, then we need to find another way of accomplishing the same mission.
Store on Cerritos Ave in Stanton....not that far from me and...Buena Park!!
FBI Looking Into Calif. Grocery Store Owner Said to Lead U.S. Branch of Radical Islamic Group
Thanks for the ping, EATB.
No mention that John Loftus was on the KFI's Ken and John show just last week.....
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If nothing else, this will put more egg on ABC's face for firing Graham.
"They are trying to give him cover......"
CAIR assumes its usual Humpty Dumpty Role when Muslim Terrorists are outed and have fallen hard on the American Arab streets.
Stories like this, threads like this, discussions by Fox News on these stories and conservative talk radio will eventually make CAIR like Cindy Sheehan.
bttt
Ayloush said the U.S. faction of the group was not known to be violent or to support violent groups.
Riiight...more "Religion of Peace"...
How soon till CAIR is demanding everyone is fired at Fox News?
"They hold a very idealistic, romantic view of how Muslims should live in a Muslim majority country," said Hussam Ayloush, head of the Southern California Council on American Islamic Relations
idealistic, romantic view? Nice way to try to spin it.
In the middleast east, being idealistic and romantic means choping off the heads of foreigners and demanding Sharia law.
"How soon till CAIR is demanding everyone is fired at Fox News?"
Lets hope that CAIR assumes the position of attack Fox News, Rush Limbaugh and other conservative news transmitters.
That will shine the light on their ways of "handling things".
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