The Freedom Pledge Updated

Maher Hathout


I have previously written about the Freedom Pledge letter, which had been sent in 2009 by Former Muslims United, an appeal addressed to one hundred of the most prominent Muslim leaders in America asking them to sign statement that American Muslim apostates should not be harmed. Only two of those leaders ever signed the letter or even replied. In April 2012, I met with Imam Muzammil Siddiqi (one of the recipients) at Loyola Marymount University and asked him about the letter. He stated he never received it.

On June 24, 2012, this writer attended a speaking appearance by one of the recipients, Maher Hathout, a high-ranking leader of the Muslim Public Affairs Council in Los Angeles.  During the Q and A, another member of the audience asked him about the letter, which Hathout stated he never received. At that point, I handed him his copy of the letter addressed to him. When asked if he would sign it, Hathout replied that he would read it, and if it was serious and did not insult Islam, he would sign it. Below is the video of that event.

http://garyfouse.blogspot.com/2012/07/maher-hathout-appearance-at-guibord.html

On July 4, 2012, FMU sent another round of the same letters to over 200 Muslim leaders including Hathout.

I have been informed by Nonie Darwish this evening that Hathout still has not signed the letter.

Reading the above links you can also access the lists of Muslim leaders who were sent letters in 2009 and 2012.

So the question must be asked as to why so many of our top Islamic leaders in the US have failed to sign a simple statement that former Muslims in America should not be harmed.

One thing is sure. Maher Hathout cannot claim he never received the letter.