As if to Prove Haqqani's Point.....

Seemingly as if to prove Husain Haqqani's point, the Boston Globe publishes a puff piece on the new imam of the Islamic Center of New England (ICNE).  The article provides little in the way of new information, and it recites the same cliches, the new imam is "an outspoken foe of extremism," "Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in America," blah blah blah.  Where's the news here? 

The article touches upon a few topics that are worthy of journalistic research, but no such luck from the reporter.  The new imam, Khalid Nasr, is originally from Egypt, but he came to Quincy in 2005 from North Carolina.  Interesting, I believe that both former imam Muhammed Masood and Islamic Society of Boston (ISB) imam Basyouny Nehela also were in North Carolina for a short while before moving north in 1996 or so.  Were they all at the same place?  Is there some sort of North Caroline gateway for imams coming to Massachusetts?

The article quotes ICNE director Ghazwan Ghazi (who is also on the board of directors of the ISB and considered to be calling the shots there), who says:

"  'He (Nasr) really wants to present the American Muslim as an integral part of the whole community,' said Ghazwan Ghaza (sic) of Canton, a member of the board of directors of the New England Islamic Center.

Why are we looking to an Egyptian who's been here for 8 years to "present the American Muslim"?  That community has been here - very well integrated - for some sixty years.  Do they really need the new guy to do this?

No mention by the reporter that Ghazwan Ghazi is in the center of a controversy at the ICNE about its takeover several years ago by external forces.  ICNE members have presented a petition to the ICNE board of directors, and have threatened legal action.  The article does at least mention the long-standing roots of this Center:

"The Islamic Center in Quincy was founded in 1963 by a group of Lebanese families who gathered together to worship. Over the next several decades, the organization grew steadily, and in the 1990s, the center acquired property in Sharon and built its second mosque."

Interesting.  Are there any people left on the board of directors from the original Lebanese families?   I think not.

"Combating extremism is an important goal of Nasr's. He said Sept. 11 was a wakeup call for Muslim leaders. Before the terrorist attacks, leaders were not paying attention to the threat that extremists posed, according to Nasr."

Really?  And exactly what is Nasr doing to combat extremism? 

There's far more information provided in this Patriot Ledger article from two years ago.  And I suggest reading this article to understand some of the dynamics that are roiling the Islamic community in this area.   

The Boston Globe loves to dish the dirt when it's about a Catholic church, say a threatened church closing or the removal of an uber-liberal priest from a church.  Those articles feature lots of juicy details and comments from different church goers, generally negative.  But mosques?  They get the kid glove treatment from the Globe, all hushed tones and deferential "reporting."  Why?