ISB's Walid Fitaihi Writes About Boston Mosque in Saudi Paper

Sol came across an article recently written by Walid Fitaihi, the on-again/off-again/on-again trustee of the Islamic Society of Boston, this from Okaz Today (translated from Arabic).  Fitaihi writes of his contributions to the building of a mosque in Boston, and how much the "Muslim colony" had to overcome.  He declared that now the true essence of that "divine faith" will be revealed to everyone in Boston, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. I noticed a few disconnects between what Fitaihi did with what he said here:

• Fitaihi: "I have also spoken at local and international news outlets about the benefits of this project and the possibility of it becoming a unique model for emulation; a one of a kind prototype in America."  Fitaihi made a number of controversial, inflammatory statements in an Egyptian newspaper several years ago.  These anti-Semitic statements were written at the same time as Fitaihi was engaged in interfaith dialogue in the Boston area with Jewish organizations.  Not something to emulate.
• "In fact, the project had earned the support of Mayor Menino and that of many prominent city officials in Boston; city official who are well acquainted with the Boston Muslim colony’s desire to foster contacts and bonds with their brothers and sisters in the city; city officials who are well aware of the Boston Muslim colony’s eagerness to build bridges of amity so as to fulfill the heavenly prescription of the Almighty to 'get to know one another'."   Yeeks, that's laying it on pretty thick.  Mayor Menino cares about getting votes from Muslim constituents.  He seems not interested in giving the mosque project and the ISB leadership the scrutiny they so richly deserve.  By Fitaihi's own words, "Boston has recently become a center of Islamic proselytizing aimed at Christians."  Fitaihi is more interested in converting Bostonians than he is in "getting to know" us.  Hence the location of the mosque in the heart of the Black community of Roxbury, when the original Muslim community was from Cambridge. 
• "...the mandate of the Cultural Center will have been intended to be that of an ecumenical mosque, a ministry, a library, a school [the Arabic madrassa ], multi-purpose auditoriums and venues for various colloquia, seminars, and lectures benefiting Muslims and non-Muslims alike...."  Excuse me, what's an "ecumenical" mosque?   It's a mosque, it's for Muslims.  Regarding the benefits to non-Muslims, in Fitaihi's eyes, the primary benefit to non-Muslims is that they will be aggressively proselytized to embrace Islam, at every opportunity, every press conference, every interfaith gathering.  Confidential documents between BRA director Muhamamd Ali-Salaam and the ISB Board of Directors (made public during the lawsuit discovery process) explicitly state that the Board was opposed to offering any school scholarships to non-Muslims.  The BRA was prepared to offer more land near the mosque which could be used to provide housing and jobs for "the ummah" (Muslims).  Trustee Kandil said "We should be innovative enough to include services that will benefit our community."  Fitaihi and the other ISB trustees were and are interested in benefits for Muslims, despite the kumbaya happy-talk. 
• "...the [Boston] Muslim colony and its trustees have been facing one challenge after the next; challenges that ran the gamut from things material and legal, to brazen disruptions, distortions, and similar steady attempts at scuttling the project—by those who do not wish for Humanity to find Peace through the building of bridges of knowledge and understanding and learning about the other..."   When you read enough of this stuff, it dawns on you that "wishing for Humanity to find Peace" really means wishing for non-Muslims to convert to Islam. 
• "After more than a decade of time and of successful fundraising—and donations exceeding 12 million dollars...."  Funny, the basis of the ISB lawsuit against seventeen defendants included the claim that the defendants interfered with the ISB's ability to raise funds, that fund-raising had "dried up."  Not so, apparently, not so at all. The basis of the lawsuit was a sham.  Shocker, eh?
• "....the doors of this Cultural Center—for Muslims and non-Muslims alike—have been flung open so that all can hear the word of Allah..."  More evidence of the intent to proselytize to non-Muslims.  How long before the adhnan is heard five times a day in Roxbury? 

If Dr. Fitaihi really wanted to encourage learning and understanding between the different religions, he would next embark upon building a gorgeous $20 million dollar "ecumenical cathedral" in Saudi Arabia.  That would do so much to "fulfill the heavenly prescription of the Almighty to get to know one another”. That would "build bridges" to the Christian minority in KSA that has to hold religious services in secrecy, or face being arrested, imprisoned and kicked out of the country,  Christians cannot even bring a Bible or a cross into the country.  I don't believe that Jews are even allowed into Saudi Arabia, except under exceptional circumstances.  Israelis are prohibited from entering the country. 

Dr. Fitaihi, here's your chance to propagate the "true spirit of forgiveness, love, and goodness" in Saudi Arabia too!  How about it, sir?  Do you have it in you for another grand construction project?  Why not put your money where your mouth is in your own country?

Until we can build churches and temples in Saudi Arabia, there should be no Saudi-funded mosques built here in America.  What hypocrisy on Fitaihi's part.  What dangerous blindness on Menino's part.

Comments

[Azzam]

Every mosque in the Islamic World.......Morocco to Indonesia has a "denomination". It is a simple English word, and with a Harvard degree and US Citizenship*, the Trustee must know its meaning. So what is the "denomination" of your piece of architecture? State Secret? Well this Trustee ain't no prophet that he is starting a New Islamic Mosque that has no affiliation or "denomination". Even Br. Deen Muhammad calls his mosques.....Nation of Islam Affiliated. What is so secret about your "affiliation"?
Simple question? Why is everyone running away from it? How long?
(*This question is not for those big wigs who came to town, married a 20 year senior from far away Island, and got Citizenship....I can understand that they may have problem with English).