Posted on 08/31/2006 7:23:46 PM PDT by nuconvert
Ex-leader of Iran to Speak at 2 Muslim Gatherings in Chicago
August 31, 2006
Chicago Sun-Times
Cathleen Falsani and Andrew Herrmann
Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami is expected to arrive today in Chicago to speak at two Muslim conventions over the weekend and visit a suburban mosque.
While in town, Khatami is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the annual Islamic Society of North America's convention Saturday night at the Rosemont Convention Center, said Salman Azam, a spokesman for the convention.
The former Iranian leader may also be on hand for a Friday afternoon session of the ISNA convention, Azam said. Tens of thousands of Muslims are expected to attend the three-day Rosemont convention, which, in its 43rd year, is the largest annual gathering of Muslims in North America.
Invited to 'bring greetings'
W. Deen Mohammed, leader of the largely black Muslim organization the Mosque Cares/WDM Ministry and former leader of the American Society of Muslims, has invited Khatami to "bring greetings" to his annual convention Sunday at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, said Mohammed's spokesman, Sultan Salahudin.
And Khatami is expected to speak Saturday afternoon at Bait ul Ilm, an Islamic center in Streamwood, according to Tariq Weaver, spokesman for the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago.
The Bush administration granted Khatami, who served as president of Iran from 1997 to 2005, a visa to enter the United States on Tuesday. He is the most senior official from Iran to visit the United States since 1979, when Islamic fundamentalists seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.
After visiting Chicago, Khatami is scheduled to attend a United Nations conference in New York City next week, and to speak about religion's role in promoting peace at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 7.
No 'illusions' about regime
Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Chicago, said American Muslims consider Khatani "a kindred spirit in faith."
"Khatami has been lauded as a reformist, a bridge-builder,'' Rehab said.
Several lawmakers, including Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), who called Khatami "one of the chief propagandists of the Islamic fascist regime," expressed outrage that the Bush administration had granted the Iranian a visa.
While former President Jimmy Carter reportedly expressed an interest in meeting with Khatami, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the Iranian would not meet with any U.S. officials, adding, "Nobody should take the fact that there was a decision to issue this visa that we have any illusions about the nature of the Iranian regime."
Gosh, who is going over to Iran to speak at Christian conferences?
How about the Law taking a break from overflying everyones' back yard looking for reefer for the next few days and see who comes and goes to freaky stuff like this?
WTF?
OMGosh - Can't believe this, gets worse every time I reread it.
His visa is for 2 weeks and he has a busy dance card.
This will be played to the hilt in Iran, he will be seen as popular here, and the pro-American Iranians will be looking at each other in dismay and disbelief that the U.S. invited and honored their dishonored ex-president.
"OMGosh - Can't believe this, gets worse every time I reread it."
I feel exactly the same way
I hope the FBI is investigating every single person who goes to that speech.
Why in God's name are we permitting this man to come here? If he is going to speak to the UN let him do so and be gone. What is Bush trying to prove with this move? How "compassionate" he is? Or does he fancy this fellow as another "honest immigrant"? The current nut job must really be luaghing up his sleeve at this. And anyone who thinks this former pres. is a reformer is nuts too.
"The Bush administration granted Khatami, who served as president of Iran from 1997 to 2005, a visa to enter the United States on Tuesday"
------
This administration does not believe in borders -- they are an obstacle to a world utopian agenda ---
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) ia an offshoot of the Muslim Students Association, which began life and continues as a Muslim Brotherhood organization. ISNA was founded in 1981, and today through its North American Islamic Trust it controls more than 300 mosques in the USA. It is funded by Saudi Arabia, and it is staffed by Muslim Brothers. It plays it cool, but at its heart it is an Islamist organization devoted to the Salafist revival.
A Nazi on the loose in America. Oh, my bad, he's supposed to be a "reformer".
Yup. Right you are.
This isnt Nazi Germany, its America!! I want every freeper to think about that...yeah...Xacly!!!
Believe me....you ain't the only one.
(Pardon me while I go barf!)
Rest assured that the Rosemont, Chicago and Streamwood police will be busy protecting this guy and his followers.
"Why in God's name are we permitting this man to come here?"
I have no idea. The excuses I've heard are all too lame to believe. I see nothing good comeing from it. It will backfire big-time.
This is going to be used by the regime to discredit us among the opposition and pro-American Iranians.
How long will he be staying in the US? Perhaps he can be a keynote speaker at 9/11 Memorials! /sarc off
His visa is good for 2 weeks.
A footnote:
I have a friend that is a senior chaplain (a Christian) for his state dept. of corrections. He was required to go to this convention to further his training on how to care for the needs of muslim prisoners, and pass that on to his subordinates.
I will call him up tomorrow to see if other states had to send reps as well.
Our tax dollars at work, donchaknow.
Leni
lol to Darth!
Two weeks? So, he may be on our soil 9/11! Charming!
...and then go to a mosque to speak...
Rock the Rosemont!
A couple of new things I learned
1. Jimmy carter has agreed to meet with him
2. There will be no restrictions on where he chooses to go, he can meet with whom he wants, when he wants
3. Also, going to U of Virginia
4. Visiting Moticello
http://big5.xinhuanet.com/gate/big5/news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-08/30/content_5029550.htm
I wish I was back in Chicago. This needs a big counter protest. Rosemont is just east of Ohare with few access roads. 200 drivers with stalled vehicles could shut the town down for the day.
;~ )
I was going to make a comment about a target rich environment for Zyklon-B, but since your friend will be there I won't.
He needs to be "Yamamotoed"..
"How long will he be staying in the US? Perhaps he can be a keynote speaker at 9/11 Memorials! /sarc off"
Oh my goodness! I see that he has a two week visa. On what date is he coming? Do you think he might stay through 9/11? THAT would be an even worse abomination than granting him a visa in the first place!
National [Episcopal] Cathedral to Host former Iranian President
Last I read, he hasn't agreed to meet with Carter.
Rosemont police are Nazis, the stalled car thing won't work, but you are on the right track..*my wheels are spinning* I'm in the area....
I am also disgusted that he will be speaking at our National Cathedral **that** is also begging for a protest!
Ask Khatani if the forced conversion of Centanni is valid.
I'm just wondering if they are letting this POS into the country so they can arrest his dumb ass.
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