The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) has issued a press release expressing it “deepest condolences” on the death of Turkish Islamist leader Necmettin Erbakan, who died last Sunday. According to the ICNA release:
JAMAICA, New York (February 28, 2011) – In a press release issued today, the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) extended its deepest condolences to the family of former Turkish Prime Minister and founder of the Developing Eight (D-8), Prof. Necmettin Erbakan, who passed away Sunday at the age of 84.Funeral of Prof. Erbakan. Also seen are Turkish Presdent Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan “We are deeply saddened by the news of Mr. Erbakan’s passing,” said Dr. Zahid Bukhari, President of ICNA. “I can still remember the inspiring speech he gave at the ICNA Headquarters in NY in 1996, which was translated for the audience by Turkey’s current president Abdullah Gul. Mr. Erbakan was a visionary and brilliant leader of Turkey’s Islamist movement who devoted his entire life to creating a more peaceful and just world. His work towards the unity of the Muslim world was unparalleled.” “He will be remembered with much respect for his contribution to Turkey and the Muslim world. May Allah (SWT) forgive him and bless him with the highest Reward in Paradise. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, and we pray that Allah (SWT) grants them patience during this difficult time.” The Islamic Circle of North America is a leading American Muslim organization dedicated to the betterment of society through the promotion of Islamic values. Since 1968, ICNA has worked to build relations between communities by devoting itself to education, outreach, social services and relief efforts.
A GMBDW obituary detailed Erbakan role as the “father of the Turkish Islamist movement.”
The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) is a less well-known part of the Muslim Brotherhood network in the U.S., generally thought to be closely tied to the Jamaat-e-Islami organization of Southeast Asia, itself known to be allied with the Muslim Brotherhood. ICNA is particularly close to the Muslim American Society, a part of the US Muslim Brotherhood and tied to the Egyptian organization, and the two organizations have been holding joint annual conventions for many years. Previous posts have discussed ICNA ad campaigns intended to present Islam to the U.S. public. The New York campaign drew national media attention when it was reported that Siraj Wahajj, an American Islamic convert associated with the U.S. Muslim Brotherhood and an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, was behind the New York campaign.