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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Islam Day: a rush to Muslimize us


By Sen. Sam Slom

The Advertiser published one commentary written by a Muslim, one front page "news" story and another commentary from Sen. Michelle Kidani, all praising the passage of Hawai'i's Islam Day resolution, while condemning opponents, like me.

Is it just me who wonders why the rush to Muslimize us?

President Obama, on his American Apology tour, declared that if all Muslims were counted, "America would be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world."

There are about 2 million Muslims out of 300 million in the U.S. But U.S. policy has shifted, and Israel is thrown under the bus while the attack on Judeo-Christian values has accelerated.

Michele Ouansafi, wife of the chairman of Hawai'i's Muslim Association, and a convert to Islam, wrote that the resolution fostered tolerance, understanding, and a "bridge of hope." She said the three senators who voted against HCR 100 "used bigotry and fear while a third hid behind the facade of 'separation of church and state.'" She added, "This started an unwelcomed controversy, which Fox News and the vocal minority of a similar agenda, capitalized on by interjecting their venom into the purity of the resolution."

Not true. Apparently speaking out elicits charges of bigotry, fear and racism. This is part of an orchestrated political agenda.

No state or people are more tolerant than Hawai'i, having demonstrated our sensitivity to diversity. None of the three senators used a broad brush to attack Islam or anyone individually, except Islamic terrorists. What we criticized was this political document forced through the Legislature, and its amended date.

HCR 100, introduced by Rep. Lyla Berg, originated from Hakim Ouansafi. Its first hearing (Tourism, Culture and International Affairs) was "deferred." On April 14, HCR 100 was deleted from that agenda; the committee finally passed the resolution amending Islam Day from November 21, to Sept. 24 — 13 days after 9/11. It passed the House, 49-0.

On April 28, the Senate Economic Development and Technology Committee heard HCR 100. I sit on that committee. Why an Islam holiday to the Economic Development and Technology Committee? Most outside the Muslim community were unaware this resolution was being discussed.

The committee chairwoman said no changes could be made. It passed 3-1, with only electronic testimony, and my negative vote. I talked briefly with Hakim Ouansafi after the hearing and said my concerns included rushing the resolution without full discussion.

The resolution passed the full Senate, 22-3, on May 6.

After its passage, lawmakers received calls, e-mails, and media inquiries, asking why Hawai'i passed this resolution setting a holiday within days of the Islamic terrorist attack on the U.S.? Are all of these people bigots?

Hakim Ouansafi cites "positive" reaction from HCR 100's passage, highlighting Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya. Are they not part of the terrorist propaganda network?

Make no mistake: The vast majority of practicing Muslims are good, decent people who have made positive contributions; many served or are serving honorably in the U.S. military. But we cannot ignore or whitewash what the Islamic terrorists have pledged — "Death to America."

Daily headlines show Islamic terrorists among us. We spend billions of dollars for security against those Islamic groups who promised not to stop with 9/11. Some wonder why the organized Muslim community hasn't been as vocal against this terrorism as against those who stand up and ask legitimate questions.

I will stand by my vote and opposition to the insensitivity and intolerance of having this "holiday" close to our greatest national tragedy.

State Sen. Sam Slom (R-8 Kahala, Hawai'i Kai) is Minority Floor Leader. He wrote this commentary for The Advertiser.