Which Muslim Leaders Should Trump Reach Out to?

Hat tip Middle East Forum

The below article in the Middle East Forum outlines some of the pitfalls the Trump administration needs to avoid  in making alliances with truly moderate Muslims. The writer, Sam Westrop, also points out that non-violent Muslims can still be extremists.

http://us12.campaign-archive2.com/?u=b7aa7eddb0f2bb74bfa4f6cb5&id=21c1c46523&e=e03a046364

I would add that Mr. Westrop’s Boston-based organization, Americans for Peace and Tolerance, was on the front lines of trying to alert the community about the extremist ties  of the Islamic Society Cultural Center of Boston. It’s leader, Charles Jacobs, was ostracized by the leadership of his own Jewish community in Boston.

In fairness to former President Obama, his predecessor, George W. Bush, also made errors in reaching out to the Muslim community after 9-11. The first Muslim leader he invited to the White House was none other than Muzammil Siddiqi, former head of the Islamic Society of North America and currently head imam of the Islamic Center of Orange County in Garden Grove, California. Siddiqi, who was given a “Bridge Builder” award by the politically-correct Orange County Human Relations Commission a few years ago, has pulled the wool over the eyes of the local community for years. In 1992, Siddiqi hosted the recently deceased terrorist imam Omar Abdel Rahman, to give a guest sermon at his mosque, which Sidddiqi translated into English.

The mistakes of Bush were compounded by Obama, who never recognized true moderates such as Zuhdi Jasser. Giving almost $400,000 to the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) as he left office was a true slap in the face to Muslim reformers.

In my view, Trump is becoming educated on the true nature of Islamic extremism. Hopefully, he will not be fooled by gentle words and smiling faces.