WASH. TIMES PROMOTES HATE GROUP THAT WOULD OUTLAW ISLAM
‘Adherence to Islam’ would be punishable by 20 years in prison

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/14/07) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today expressed concern about an article published by Insight magazine, a website owned by the right-wing Washington Times newspaper, that offered a sympathetic portrayal of an anti-Muslim hate group that advocates making “adherence to Islam” punishable by 20 years in prison.

The hate group, Society of Americans for National Existence (SANE), is supporting the so-called “Mapping Shari’a in America Project” devoted to spying on 2,300 Islamic institutions in the United States.

SEE: Private Undercover Team Exposes Nationwide Network of Radical, Anti-U.S. Islamic Centers
http://www.mappingsharia.us/Insight-Magazine-Mapping-Sharia-Project-Uncovers-Jihadists-near-DC-article-438-67.htm

In February of this year, SANE offered a policy proposal that states in part:

“Whereas, adherence to Islam as a Muslim is prima facie evidence of an act in support of the overthrow of the US. [sic] Government through the abrogation, destruction, or violation of the US Constitution and the imposition of Shari’a on the American People. . .It shall be a felony punishable by 20 years in prison to knowingly act in furtherance of, or to support the, adherence to Islam.”

SEE: A SANE Act to Deal with the Islamic Threat to America’s National Existence (SADITANE)
http://www.saneworks.us/SANE-Immigration-Proposal-article-379-1.htm

SEE: Original Article http://www.insightmag.com/ME2/dirsect.asp?sid=7FD9C68AF0F844919BF0684F279BF505&nm=Subscribe

In its report on the mosque spying project, Insight magazine falsely claimed: “Hundreds of Islamic centers in the United States have become a hot-bed of extremist activity; they promote violence, terrorism and hatred against America.”

Earlier this week, CAIR accused the Washington Times of “agenda-driven reporting” for falsely suggesting there has been a drop in that organization’s grassroots support. CAIR says its membership, donor base, annual budget, and attendance at fundraising events has increased each year.

SEE: CAIR Accuses Washington Times of ‘Agenda-Driven Reporting’
http://www.cair.com/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=2775&theType=NR

Many Muslims have expressed concerns about repeated instances of anti-Islam bias in the Washington Times’ reporting and commentary.

The paper has in the past refused to publish CAIR’s responses to its Islamophobic content.

SEE: CAIR Says Washington Times ‘Hypocritical’ on Press Freedom
http://www.cair.com/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=2624&theType=NR

CAIR, America’s largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to promote justice, enhance the understanding of Islam, and empower American Muslims