Posted on 10/16/2008 12:20:07 PM PDT by Righting
Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week Returns to GW
Posted Wednesday, October 15 2008 12:00:22 am
By Hannah Ringheim Staff Writer
Despite high controversy surrounding last year’s Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week, Young America’s Foundation (YAF) has defended their decision to hold the event again this week.
The intent of the week, according to a press release by YAF, is focused on the condemnation of radical Islamic regimes and educating students about “this omnipresent form of radicalism” that YAF said uses religion to justify political violence.
Last year, a group of students affiliated with the group Students for Conservativo-Fascism Awareness caused national controversy by protesting the week-long event. The group distributed fake, hyperbolic flyers for the event and falsely signed YAF’s name to the flyer. The false posters featured racial slurs and stereotypes of terrorists on them (click here for the full story). The students later stated in a joint, public letter admitting their responsibility that the fake flyers were intended to exhibit the “true hate speech that is embodied by the upcoming Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week.”
Travis Korson '11, YAF’s director of press, believed this event could still hold a more significant meaning regardless of these past protests and possible risks of new protests to come.
“We feel that this is a very important event for the education of students on this issue," he said. "It’s unnecessary to let last year's actions affect this week. Students should learn about the struggle between peaceful, moderate religion verses the radicalism that faces Muslims today.”
This year the schedule of events consisted of an informational movie screening Monday night of “Islam vs. Islamists,” a documentary about the struggle of moderate Muslims in America against radicalism. Today, there will be a petition signing that denounces extremism that “has been used to justify political violence against Jews on multiple occasions,” according to the Facebook event. The third and final event of the week will be the keynote address against radicalism.
The address will be delivered by author and activist Nonie Darwish, whose father was a former lieutenant in the Egyptian army and founder of the fedayeen. They were responsible for hundreds of Israeli deaths. A convert to Christianity, Darwish opposes extremism and moderate Muslims.
Korson was not phased by a possibility of a small turnout due to animosity among the students, despite the negative depiction and controversy surrounding last year’s event, particulary the appearance of right-wing extremist David Horowitz. Korson said the event was necessary at GW in order to spread education.
“We expect the turnout to be great. There’s a lot of buzz going around, especially about our speaker Nonie Darwish. I believe the student body will receive this as more of a learning experience…it’s important to spread awareness of the difference between Muslims in moderate peace and those who radicalize religion.”
Korson also described the co-sponsorships from other groups as more positive than last year.
Matt Ingoglia '11, communications director of the College Democrats, said they decided to “create a united effort” throughout the week, and sent a message to all members for the event. He said the neutrality of Awareness Week this year was notable.
“This year, the College Democrats will not be taking an active role in any protests against YAF’s event," said Ingoglia. "After meeting with the organization’s president Rob Lockwood, our organization has decided against actively campaigning against Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week…the official organization’s position here is one of neutrality.”
The cooperation of the College Democrats still has not eliminated the possibility that other protests will be an issue.
Ashley Carufel contributed to this article
Every week is Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week.
true,it SHOULD be.
What’s GW? George Washington University?
yes, it is.
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