American Arab Forum

Islamophobia must be denounced. Pat Robertson spreads hate
Paterson, NJ; March15, 2006: American Arab Forum, a non-partisan and non-sectarian institution based in Paterson, NJ, denounces the bigoted remarks made by Televangelist Pat Robertson.
Robertson made his remarks to his audience during his Christian Broadcasting Network program “The 700 Club”: "Islam is not a religion of peace," and "The goal of Islam... is world domination." He also referred to some Muslims as being motivated by "demonic power."
Over the last several years, Robertson has scornfully defiled Islam and Muslims on the "700 Club" program. He called Islam the "religion of the slavers" and said Americans who converted to Islam exhibited "insanity."
Appearing on Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes" program in 2002, Robertson smeared both Islam and the Prophet Muhammad, (PBUH). Robertson said, "This man was an absolute wild-eyed fanatic. He was a robber and a brigand. And to say that these terrorists distort Islam, they're carrying out Islam. . . I mean, this man (Muhammad) was a killer. And to think that this is a peaceful religion is fraudulent." Robertson also called Islam "a monumental scam."
Aref Assaf, president of American Arab Forum, denounced Robertson's continuing onslaught on Islam and Muslims. 'Such rhetoric only adds to the current tension between the United States and the Muslim world. American Muslims and indeed all people of conscience must unite against this castigation of an entire religion." He also added, "while we do respect individual's right to free speech, we must categorically reject and confront turning freedom of expression into hate speech." Mr. Assaf also called on President Bush, public and religious officials to repudiate Robertson and to distance themselves from these offensive statements. End