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War on Words: CAIR Asks Journalists to Stop Using the Term ‘Islamist’

Jan. 6, 2013 8:12am Sharona Schwartz

CAIR Asks Journalists to Stop Using the Pejorative Term Islamist in New War on Words

National Communications Director of Council on American-Islamic Relations Ibrahim Hooper during a news conference at CAIR’s Washington, D.C. in 2010. (Getty Images)

The Muslim advocacy group Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is asking the nation’s media to make this their new year’s resolution: Stop using the word “Islamist.”

Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR’s communications director, explained in a Jan. 3 op-ed why his group is upset the Associated Press added the term to its latest stylebook, a document that guides reporters worldwide. Hooper wrote:

That entry reads: “Islamist — Supporter of government in accord with the laws of Islam. Those who view the Quran as a political model encompass a wide range of Muslims, from mainstream politicians to militants known as jihadi.”

The AP says it sought input from Arabic-speaking experts and hoped to provide a neutral perspective by emphasizing the “wide range” of religious views encompassed in the term.
Many Muslims who wish to serve the public good are influenced by the principles of their faith. Islam teaches Muslims to work for the welfare of humanity and to be honest and just. If this inspiration came from the Bible, such a person might well be called a Good Samaritan. But when the source is the Quran, the person is an “Islamist.”

Unfortunately, the term “Islamist” has become shorthand for “Muslims we don’t like.” It is currently used in an almost exclusively pejorative context and is often coupled with the term “extremist,” giving it an even more negative slant.

Hooper believes that because there are so few “positive references to ‘Islamist’ in news articles,” it should not be used. Though it’s hard to imagine how journalists might put a positive spin on beheadings and honor killings.

Hooper tried to strike a comparison between Islamic extremism with other religions. He wrote:

There are also no — nor should there be — references to “Christianists,” “Judaists” or “Hinduists” for those who would similarly seek governments “in accord with the laws” of their respective faiths.

No journalist would think of referring to the “Judaist government of Israel,” the “Christianist leader Rick Santorum” or “Hinduist Indian politician Narendra Modi,” while use of “Islamist” has become ubiquitous. It might be an interesting exercise to hold a contest, the winner of which would be the first to find a positive mainstream media reference to “Islamist.”

Quite likely, such a contest would end up being similar to a unicorn hunt.

The frequent linkage of the term “Islamist” to violence and denial of religious and human rights is also strongly promoted by Islamophobic groups and individuals who seek to launch rhetorical attacks on Islam and Muslims, without the public censure that would normally accompany such bigoted attacks on any other faith.

Radical Islam’s American watchdogs – presumably those “Islamophobic groups and individuals” to whom Hooper referred — have reacted to CAIR’s proposal. The Investigative Project on Terrorism’s Executive Director Steven Emerson pointed out the irony of the drop-the-word campaign, since not only have CAIR’s leaders used the term “Islamist” themselves, they also employ the term “Islamophobes” as a label for their critics.

Emerson wrote:

Hooper’s demand that “Islamist” be removed from the lexicon is ironic, since his bosses seemed more than comfortable placing themselves firmly in the world of “Islamists” back in 1993. CAIR founders Omar Ahmad and Nihad Awad joined two dozen Hamas supporters in Philadelphia for a fall weekend in an urgent meeting called to discuss ways to “derail” the U.S.-brokered Oslo Accords.

The FBI bugged the meeting room. Transcripts entered into evidence during a 2008 Hamas-financing trial show the participants referred to “Islamists” dozens of times. Ahmad helped lead the meeting, helping determine who might attend and calling it to order.

The FBI described the group as Hamas members and supporters. “Hamas’ agenda was not only to eliminate Israel,” prosecutors wrote, “but also to sabotage the Oslo Accords and to replace the secular PA regime with an Islamist government that would control all of Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.”

Emerson explained that Ahmad, CAIR chairman emeritus until 2009, used the term when presenting the group’s media strategy:

“The first goal was relating to activism among Muslims and Palestinians but we must broadcast our point of view in U. S. media. There is a very good reason for that which is bringing the voice of the Islamists to the surface, keeping them informed and explaining their positions in order to case the severity of allegations of radicalism and other things,” Ahmad said. [Emphasis added] “This will also make our position known to Muslims and sympathizers whom we cannot reach via our media tools.”

One speaker took pains to emphasize how important it was to cloak their true agenda, that is, destroying Israel:

“We must be clear that we oppose this thing 100% and that we, the Islamists … different from what is being suggested for Palestinian activism,” Akram said. No one disagreed.

Their claim on Palestine was not limited to the West Bank and Gaza, Ahmad said, agreeing it was not a wise strategy to say so publicly.

“We’ve always demanded the 1948 territories,” Ahmad said.

“Yes,” an unidentified speaker responded, “but we don’t say that publicly. You cannot say it publicly. In front of the Americans…”

“No,” Ahmad agreed, “we didn’t say that to the Americans.”

Nearly 20 years later, Ahmad’s organization doesn’t want Americans to say the same words he and his colleagues embraced.

Emerson provides multiple examples of CAIR supporters and members utilizing the term “Islamist” both in a matter of fact manner and boastfully. He wrote: “CAIR’s background…should be taken into consideration by anyone entertaining Hooper’s request to serve as language cop.”

Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch, another CAIR adversary, reminded readers that the media do not frequently identify CAIR as “an unindicted co-conspirator in a Hamas terror funding case, or note the jihad terror convictions of several of their former officers, or their consistent opposition to every anti-terror measure ever devised.” He wrote:

The irony is that, as I have explained many times (as in this National Review article), the term “Islamist” is often used by those who believe that Islam is a Religion of Peace that has been hijacked by a tiny minority of extremists, to create a distance between Islam, which is supposedly entirely benign and peaceful, and Islamism, which teaches political authoritarianism, subjugation of non-Muslims, and everything else about Islam that is unpleasant and at variance with Western principles of human rights. [...]

Anyway, now even the word “Islamist,” although it is usually used to exonerate Islam and distance its teachings from the violence and hate propagated in its name, is unacceptable for Hamas-linked CAIR. Clearly Hamas-linked CAIR’s amiable beekeper, Honest Ibe Hooper, sees how successful he and his fellow Islamic supremacists have been in co-opting the media, government, and law enforcement in recent years, and is pressing on toward final victory: the total silencing of any resistance to the global jihad and Islamic supremacism. […]

What Honest Ibe is not telling you here is that “Islamists” are generally proponents of political Islam, an authoritarian system that would deny basic rights to non-Muslims and women. Their political agenda is grounded in Islam in a way that no fair-minded person would say that Santorum’s is grounded in Christianity.

Twitter posters are suggesting new terms to describe radical Islamists. For example, David Garth wrote: “What do they want us to use? Adherents of a peaceful religion that have a nasty habit of murdering people?”

While RightWingNerd quipped: “But really, who hasn’t accidentally beheaded someone?”

If you had to write an article about religiously-motivated Islamists, which alternate term would you use? Add your ideas in comments below.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (310)

Rstryker27
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 10:18am
No problem. How does ” Ubiquitous Muslim nut case terrorist ” hit you ?

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- barber2
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 10:35am
  A bit wordy, but definitely on target !
  
  Report this comment
Frodo RinosBane
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 10:17am
OK, how about Islamomisogynist?

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ares338
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 10:10am
Islamist….IslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamist
Islamist….IslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamist
Islamist….IslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamist
Islamist….IslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamist
Islamist….IslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamist
Islamist….IslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamistIslamist

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eaglesview
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 10:09am
Hey CAIR, the proper term is “radical Islamist”, and we will continue to accurately refer to you as such.
With all of your Infidel hatred, murder, incessant whining, and general dislike of the U.S., is it any wonder we don’t want you here, and despise you ?

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- barber2
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 10:34am
  But CAIR is confused by the Chicago radicals OCCUPYING the White House who share the same ” anti-capitalism” and anti- ” all things traditionally American” feelings ! CLAIR figures that the disrespected Republicans are just the old white man, Christian, evil rich ” traditional ” America that the Chicago radicals hate and want to ” fundamentally change !” Isn’t CLAIR right about this ?
  
  Report this comment
RecoveringRepublican
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 10:08am
Define the Terms; Win the Argument. Debate 101 people. Don’t let them Win.

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Sharon Rose
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 10:05am
Who cares what CARE thinks? Not me!

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OBFSU
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 10:05am
A maggot is a maggot…. is a maggot…. is a maggot….

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frogg
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:59am
You can call poop a rose but it’ll still stink like poop

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- barber2
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 10:05am
  Yes. ” Poop by any other name would smell as…..”
  
  Report this comment
65Mustang
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:58am
Obama, your wish has come true you sorry piece of human excrement…you are the most despicable man on the face of God’s green earth.

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Nunyunuwi
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:55am
Islamists! islamists, islamists…. = terrorists oh and cair is supporters of those who murder no islamists…daily, they support those who jihad, who dismember non converters (arms feet) they support the rapes, beatings, sharia law’s of pure Evil ideology, they can feel ‘hurt/offended’ all they want… anti civilization sub humans by their nature and acts of sub human barbarisms is what they is, Cair is a known terrorist support group and funder… they are like the swine poop in the pen, some hard, some soft, some moderate some really stinky, some slimy and runny some dry and cracked… however its all swine poop…. if they have an issue with that… well I have an issue with those who by behavior are living the hatred rules / laws that Lucifer, Satan, the fallen one designed, sharia / jihad is satan’s belief system and they have learned it so well. I shall never submit, nor placate to these shadows of darkness….. God Bless the Republic of America, we believe in Jesus Christ, the True and only living God, not a man made up ideology of hate. however I wish all humanity would actually live what Christ taught, the world would be a better place for it. but we are weak and fall under the temptations of the dark shadows, and do error in our lives, such was the gift of Christ, the ability to be forgiven our trespasses. However I shall defend my God given freedoms from Communists, Islamists, Luciferists etc. and if needed introduce them to God for a personal chat.

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kat747
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:52am
Since when does CAIR tell the media in the USA what to do ?
Is this the result of the current administration allowing Islamic control of the media,
the press, the government, etc ?
In order to be politically correct, take those “instructions” out of the Koran about
killing all the infidels, meaning all the Christians and Jews and other religions that are
not muslim.
And the Islamists, et al, WONDER why others don’t “like” them. Get a grip on reality !
The answer is in the Koran…..if you are proud of statements like that in your so-called
holy book, then you should be able to “deal” with what others think of you in a negative
view.
Now YOU deal with it.

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Watchingtheweasels
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:50am
Actually, for once in my life I agree with CAIR. “Islamist” is a politically correct term coined by a generally atheistic or agnostic western media that is somehow seeking to draw a line between good muslims and bad ones so that the entire theology of Islam need not be tossed in the wastebasket. I assure you that Muslims draw no such distinction, aside from that of “apostate” (someone who doesn’t believe in jihad and who isn’t an “islamist”) and “non-apostate”. Throw out Islamist and just go back to calling them all what they are – Muslims.

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- barber2
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 10:04am
  Erdogan even said ” There is no such thing as moderate Islam. Islam is just Islam.”
  
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Master.Debater
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:49am
How about instead of “Islamist” we say “Muslims who hate America and want to conduct Jihad and kill Americans”?

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- kat747
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:55am
  You explained it exactly “correct”.
  It is in their Koran ……they are “instructed” to kill the infidels.
  
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Ivehadenoughtofthisgovenmentcrap
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:47am
I know, lets call them what they ALL are……. Muslim terrorists !!! Come islamists, bring it on !!!

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Fubared
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:44am
Where are the aryans crying about the Jews? Jerky, sillysally, auser, techengine69? This has to be a vast zionist propaganda piece.

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randy
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:37am
I just sent a nice message to cair at http://www.cair.com/Contact/ContactingCAIR.aspx

Go @#$% yourselves, you muslim bastrads! (misspelled on purpose to thwart Blaze Censors)

ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST ISLAMIST

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BasketFullOfPuppies
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:37am
I’ll stop calling them islamist, when they stop following islam, should they so choose.

And, I’ll not let them control my language. I will not submit.

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Metallicat
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:35am
what he is really saying is that he wants our media to stop making the connection between Islamist rebels overthrowing governments and Islamist jihadis waging a holy war against governments who have peace treaties with Israel,when they are both one and the same. He knows that it is detrimental to receiving US aide to overthrow those governments,when the truth of who is behind these rebel groups is exposed.

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Midwest Blonde
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:33am
Who the heck is CAIR to tell ANYONE what they can and can’t say? I guess they don’t understand the Constitution?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Sure – CAIR isn’t the government, but how long do you think it will be before our Pres. will ask the press to do it…… How long before some Muslim group demands legislation to censor the press????

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thibx
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:33am
islamic—what freeking nuts believe in. evil minded people. whose leader is a child molester. people who hate the jew (God’s chosen). men who work in ladies underware shops (queers). people who hate the true God. people who like to cut off heads. people who prostute their wives for gain. people who bow three times a day toward mecca. people who spend walking around a black rock for three days. people who love to drink but hide their alochol. people who 80% can not read or write. people who like heroine (grow poppy plants). people who like their government to be controled by islamic beliefs (sharic law). people who the usa would be better off without.

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scrapadapolis
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:27am
Is this trip really going to be taken?

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DontStopBelieving
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:15am
Attention CAIR – go to hell.

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Uechi
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:15am
No problem, how about goat herder, animal terrorist, rh, cj etc?

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OldSurfRat
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:13am
RJJ
You know I do feel better. I think we may be on to something. Maybe we can market it.

The Islamist stress reliever by Ronco.

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- IndyGuy
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:52am
  This is America…Start your own business and call it Surfco…
  
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IndyGuy
Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:10am
I find it quite ironic that we have an article here about Islamists wanting to censor us and The Blaze wastes no time in censoring us…Pathetic really…

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- SpankDaMonkey
  Posted on January 6, 2013 at 9:21am
  .
  No kidding what happened to Speak Without Fear, Glenn talks about all the time?………
  
  But I still say we call them Dirty Goat Humpers……………
  
  Report this comment

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