Zuhdi Jasser
Mohamed Zuhdi Jasser | |
---|---|
M.D., 1992) | |
Occupation(s) | Medical doctor – internist and nuclear cardiologist |
Known for | American Muslim activist for "separation of mosque and state" and against the ideology of "political Islam" |
Board member of | President and founder, American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD); vice chair, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom; member, Maricopa County Board of Health; advisory board member Clarion Fund ;
board member, Area Agency on Aging;
chairman, board of directors, ElderFriends, Transitional Housing Program for Elder Victims of Domestic Violence;
board member, Arizona Interfaith Movement – Muslim representative |
Spouse | Gada Jasser |
Children | 3 |
Awards | Center for Security Policy, Defender of the Home Front; FBI Phoenix, Director's Community Leadership Award; Meritorious Service Medal for professional achievement as Staff Internist to the Office of the Attending Physician, US Capitol, U.S. Congress, Washington D.C., March 1999 |
Website | American Islamic Forum for Democracy |
Zuhdi Jasser, also known as M. Zuhdi Jasser, and Mohamed Zuhdi Jasser (
In March 2012, Senate Minority Leader
Biography
Born on November 17, 1967, in
He attended the
Jasser frequently writes and talks about the issue of political Islam. James Woolsey former head of the CIA and Seth Liebsohn, author and radio show host describe him as "the kind of man our government should listen to".[10] Jasser utilizes his commentating, speaking engagements, and media appearances "to press Muslim leaders to aggressively oppose a 'culture of separatism' ".[3]
On March 10, 2011, Jasser appeared as a witness at the first in a series of hearings conducted by the United States House Committee on Homeland Security on "The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and the Community's Response".[3][11] Jasser's testimony focused on how the polarization of American views of the Muslim community are an obstacle to reform within the faith.[12] During his testimony he said that American Muslim organizations had been "circling the wagons" and have too frequently cautioned Muslims against speaking to law enforcement without a lawyer present.[13] He also said that political Islam was based on the idea that the government should be run under Islamic law, which he said violated the American concept of separation of church and state.[13]
On June 24, 2011, Jasser appeared before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution to testify in favor of H.R. 963, the "See Something, Say Something" Act.[14]
Jasser's medical practice is in Phoenix, Arizona, and he resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his wife and three children, who are being raised as Muslims.[3]
Views on Islam
Jasser describes himself as a devout Muslim who believes that "America in fact provides the best atmosphere for Muslims to practice our faith".[15] He does not claim to be a formal expert in Quranic Arabic, or in sharia (Islamic jurisprudence),[16] but he "see[s] Islam (consistent with 'Ijtihad', the tradition of critical interpretation of Islamic scripture) as applicable in the modern world and subject to logic and reason".[17]
Jasser began criticizing American Muslim organizations including the
Jasser has also engaged in
Jasser has said that he and his family have helped build a number of small mosques in different cities using locally raised funds, and at times encountering, but always overcoming local opposition.[20]
Jasser believes acts of
Testifying at Rep. Peter King's controversial homegrown Islamic terrorism hearings, Jasser has stated that Muslims are "long overdue for an ideological counter-jihad," claiming that Muslim American leaders, including imams, are contributing to radicalization.[10][25]
Views on Israel
Jasser is an outspoken supporter of Israel[26] and believes that Muslim organizations and leaders need to be held to a litmus test to see whether they recognize Israel as a state.
American Islamic Forum for Democracy
Jasser and a group of American Muslims founded the nonprofit American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD) in 2003 with the goal of demonstrating the compatibility of Islam with democracy and American values.[27] Jasser is the group's president and chief spokesman.[8] The AIFD supports separation of religion and state, religious pluralism, equality of the sexes, the unconditional recognition of Israel, and the creation of an independent Palestine "on the current 'occupied territories.'"[27] The organization rejects terrorism and any justification for it.[27]
Documentaries
Jasser has contributed to four documentaries. He appeared in the
He was the main narrator in the
Jasser also appeared in the 2010 Newt Gingrich film, America At Risk: The War With No Name, a production of Citizens United.[29] The film's promotional materials state that "we are long overdue for a serious global strategy in fighting terrorism and the ideology behind it. We must have the courage to tell the truth and to act on that truth." It has been described as "anti-Obama" by The Nation.[29]
Jasser also appeared in the Fox News documentary Fox Reporting: A Question of Honor, which examines the killing of
Reception
According to The Washington Post, "In some ways, Zuhdi Jasser doesn't match the profile of the typical Muslim American. He's an active Republican who has supported the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, is an advocate for Israel and says his faith harbors 'an insidious supremacism.'"[3]
According to the progressive magazine Mother Jones, "Jasser has lately become the right's go-to guy when it comes to providing cover for policies or positions that many Muslim Americans contend are discriminatory. When controversy over the so-called Ground Zero mosque erupted, Jasser, a frequent guest on Fox News, accused the builders of trying to 'diminish what happened' on September 11, 2001. He has supported statewide bans on Shariah law in American courts and has helped bolster conservative warnings that American Muslims seek to replace the Constitution with a harsh interpretation of Islamic law. Many American Muslim groups, meanwhile, view Jasser as a reliable apologist for Republicans and anti-Muslim figures—one with little grassroots support in the American Muslim community."[30]
Jasser has frequently been in conflict with a number of Muslim advocacy organizations, such as the
An article in the media watchdog group Media Matters for America criticized Jasser's alleged lack of credentials and his "right-wing rhetoric".[33]
The right wing political commentator Debbie Schlussel has called him a "fraud" on her blog, and accused Jasser of secretly holding radical views.[34]
Professional activities, honors, and awards
Jasser practices internal medicine and nuclear cardiology in Phoenix.
In 2007 he formed a statewide Disaster Preparedness Task Force for physicians. He chairs a bioethics committee and teaches nuclear cardiology in Phoenix.[citation needed]
He was honored in October 2007 by Center for Security Policy as a "Defender of the Home Front" for his anti-Islamist activism. In January 2008 he was presented with the 2007 Director's Community Leadership Award by the Phoenix office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.[citation needed]
See also
- Asra Nomani
- Tarek Fatah
- Qanta A. Ahmed
- Raheel Raza
References
- ^ "What's it like being a conservative Muslim in America?". KTAR. January 1, 2014.
- ^ Middle East Quarterly: 3–11. Archivedfrom the original on March 18, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f Boorstein, Michelle (February 27, 2011). "Anxiety on all sides of upcoming House hearing on radicalization of U.S. Muslims". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
- ISBN 978-0-16-089791-7.
- ISBN 978-0-16-090452-3.
- ^ "About Us". Center for Islamic Pluralism. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
- ^ USCIRF (March 26, 2012). "Two USCIRF Commissioners Appointed". USCIRF. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m T. A. Frank (March 10, 2011). "Meet Peter King's Star Witness". The New Republic. Archived from the original on March 12, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ Timothy R. Furnish (April 19, 2010). "Zuhdi Jasser, M.D.: Islam's Luther – or its Don Quixote?". History News Network, George Mason University. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
- ^ a b James Woolsey; Seth Leibsohn (October 6, 2011). "Zuhdi Jasser's Counter-Jihad". National Review Online. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
- ^ Huus, Kari (March 9, 2011). "'Islamic radicalization' hearing stirs hornets' nest". NBC News. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ "M. Zuhdi Jasser Testimony" (PDF). U.S. House of Representatives. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 19, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
- ^ a b Sheryl Gay Stolberg; Laurie Goodstein (March 11, 2011). "Domestic Terrorism Hearing Opens With Contrasting Views on Dangers". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 21, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
- ^ "M. Zuhdi Jasser Testimony" (PDF). U.S. House of Representatives. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
- ^ a b Bykofsky, Stu (November 16, 2009). "American Muslims must stand up for America". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on August 21, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
- ^ M. Zuhdi Jasser (September 12, 2007). "Which Islam? Whose Islam? All Muslims Own Interpretation of the Koran". Family Security Matters. Archived from the original on February 19, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
- ^ Rubin, Jen (May 16, 2011). "Zuhdi Jasser interview: The key is separation of mosque and state". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 3, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
- ^ Charen, Mona (April 20, 2012). "If CAIR's Attacking You, You Must Be Good". National Review Online. Archived from the original on April 22, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
- ^ Kluger, Barry (November 7, 2003). "Sow Peaceful Seeds, Reap Changed Minds, Hearts". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2011.
- ^ Balazs, Diana (February 12, 2003). "Groundbreaking set for mosque – Muslims envision a place for unity". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
Groundbreaking for Scottsdale's first mosque will take place next month, culminating a nearly five-year effort by the northeast Valley's Muslim community to build a cultural center ... Between 200 and 250 guests are expected for the 11 am ceremony, said Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, a Valley physician and chairman of the Community Outreach.
- ^ M. Zuhdi Jasser (May 7, 2010). "My Fellow Muslims, We Must Wake Up" (Opinion). Fox News. Archived from the original on December 27, 2010. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
- ^ Vennochi, Joan (May 6, 2010). "Denial over the bomb plot". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2023 – via Boston.com.
- ^ Macedo, Diane (June 16, 2010). "Radical Islamist Group Is Returning to Chicago for Major Recruitment Drive". Fox News. Archived from the original on December 27, 2010. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
- Toledo Blade Archived November 22, 2015, at the Wayback MachineNovember 22, 2015
- ^ Khalid, Wardah (March 1, 2016). "The Ayaan Hirsi Ali problem: why do anti-Islam Muslims keep getting promoted as "experts"?". Vox.
- ^ Kessler, Oren (August 19, 2011). "Zuhdi Jasser's Counter-Jihad". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on August 27, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
- ^ a b c "AIFD's Founding Principles and Resolutions". Aifdemocracy.org. March 3, 2003. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
- ^ MacEachern, Doug (April 10, 2007). "Silencing Muslim moderates". The Berean Call. Archived from the original on February 19, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
- ^ a b Posner, Sarah (March 8, 2011). "Meet Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, Star Witness in Peter King's Anti-Muslim Show Trial". The Nation. Archived from the original on March 12, 2011. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
- ^ Serwer, Adam. "Muslim Group Leader to NYPD: Thanks for Spying on Us". Mother Jones. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
- ^ Huus, Kari (April 12, 2012). "U.S. rights appointee Zuhdi Jasser hits raw nerve for American Muslims". msnbc.msn.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
- ^ a b Arizona Republic editorial board (April 24, 2012). "Jasser unmoved by radical foes". Retrieved July 9, 2012.
- ^ Powell, Bruce. "Who Is Zuhdi Jasser, Star Witness For Rep. Peter King's Muslim Radicalization Hearings?". Media Matters. Archived from the original on March 7, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- ^ Faux “Moderate” Muslim Zuhdi Jasser Attacks Flying Imams Pilot for “Bad Decision”
- ^ "About Clairon Fund". Stop Radical Islam. Archived from the original on April 1, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
- ^ "West shows 'moral clarity' in demanding Assad's ouster" Archived August 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. The Jerusalem Post. 2011
External links
- Carey, Nick (April 16, 2010). "Special Report: U.S. shifts gears to tackle homespun terrorism". Reuters. Reuters.com. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
- Appearances on C-SPAN