The Muslim American Society (MAS) has joined other elements of the US Muslim Brotherhood in supporting the proposed “Ground Zero Mosque.” According to a statement by MAS leader Mahdi Bray:
At a time when the civil and constitutional rights of Muslims are under attack throughout the United States, the Muslim American Society Freedom (MAS Freedom) affirms the statement made by President Obama affirming the right of the American Muslim community to establish houses of worship, and expand current facilities when required by our community needs.This right of religious freedom is guaranteed by the First Amendment of United States Constitution. Yet, we remain deeply concerned that the question of freedom of religion for Muslims in America is not confined to the issue of the proposed project of the Cordoba Initiative (often referred as the “Ground Zero” Mosque) in lower Manhattan. Indeed, Muslim communities throughout the United States – in Connecticut, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Wisconsin, California and other states, face zoning challenges, regulatory opposition, and even intimidation and threats of violence when they announce plans to build houses or worship or enlarge mosques and Islamic centers that currently exist. Current research by American University reveals that opposition to building mosques and the vandalizing of mosques are on the rise in America. There have been recent instances, for example, of peaceful Muslim worshipers who were confronted by hostile crowds upon leaving mosques after Friday prayers. One such anti-Muslim church community in Florida is even planning to publicly burn copies of the Holy Qur’an on September 11th, 2010.
Read the rest here.
The MAS was identified in a Hudson Institute report as a part of the U.S. Muslim Brotherhood and closely tied to the Egyptian organization. Previous posts have discussed the controversies involving the Roxbury Mosque in Boston, also tied to the MAS, as well as the various mosques being sponsored by the MAS in the New York area.