Several years ago, my wife and I and some friends had brunch with a Muslim man and his wife. I had questions for this guy, but he and his spouse had just had a baby, and that’s all they wanted to talk about. Diaper rash and 2 a.m. feedings dominated not only the conversation, but also colored my stereotypical view of Muslims.
Followers of Islam make boring brunch companions.
They can, however, be entertaining in other contexts. Did I mention that the Muslim in question was renowned British guitarist and songwriter Richard Thompson? On stage, far removed from muffins, omelets and the topic of child development, Thompson is witty and engaging. The same may be true for other followers of his faith. Some day, I’ll have to find out.
In the meantime, there’s Pious Ali, a devout Muslim and member of the Portland School Committee. Ali announced in February that he’s running for an at-large seat on the Portland City Council in the November election. Which would be about as interesting as teething tantrums if it weren’t for somebody else’s stereotype of Muslims.
For some time, I’ve been receiving emails from “Kafir,” which is a word Muslims use to signify a nonbeliever in their religion. These messages are mostly racist claptrap about the threat to America posed by followers of Mohammed. There’s nothing that couldn’t be improved by judicious use of the delete key.
But Ali’s Council candidacy kicked Kafir into a new gear. He sent an email to all the current councilors claiming mosques in Maine have been found (by a bogus anti-terrorism expert, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center) to be “in the ‘High’ category for sedition and dangerous activities.” He demanded Council action.
“Advocates of multi-culturalism, tolerance and political correctness, beware of what you try to impose on the rest of us,” he wrote. “You at least owe it to the citizens of Portland to vet Pious Ali and question where his loyalties lie.”
It was signed “Charles Martel,” who claims to be the leader of the Portland chapter of ACT! for America. In an email, “Martel” admitted he borrowed his pseudonym from a Frankish king of the eighth century who repelled a Muslim invasion. Asked why he concealed his identity, he wrote, “Many of us in this ‘business’ don’t use our real names because it is dangerous.”
As for ACT! for America, it’s a national group that claims to advocate against radical Islam, although its founder, Brigitte Gabriel, has stated that not even the most moderate members of that religion should be allowed to hold elected office in this country.
“If a Muslim who has — who is — a practicing Muslim who believes the word of the Koran to be the word of Allah, who abides by Islam, who goes to mosque and prays every Friday, who prays five times a day — this practicing Muslim, who believes in the teachings of the Koran, cannot be a loyal citizen to the United States of America,” Gabriel said in a 2007 speech.
Kafir/Martel is equally off the wall. “I hope Pious is sincere and wants to assimilate but I have my doubts,” he emailed. “He’s also an Obama supporter and the Ayatollah-in-Chief is either a Muslim or an apologist for Islam. Just look at the Muslim Brotherhood folks who have infiltrated our government at the highest levels.”
Ali, who works as a youth and community engagement specialist in Portland’s high schools, said he’s been receiving emails from Kafir for years and has been unable to dissuade him from his “vast conspiracy mode of thinking.”
Ali won a seat on the school committee in 2013, reportedly the first Muslim elected to office in Maine. Despite Kafir’s warnings, Ali never attempted to impose Sharia law on the city’s schools, instead concerning himself with mundane points of education policy. His platform for his Council candidacy makes no mention of jihad, instead focusing on rebuilding aging schools, solving the housing shortage and “develop[ing] a more engaging process between city officials and residents.”
If I had to have brunch with either Ali or Kafir, I’d pick Ali. I might be bored, but at least I’d be able to keep my food down.
[[tagline]] No need for Richard Thompson’s “Tear Stained Letter.” Just email me at aldiamon@herniahill.net.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
