Statement of Islamic Educational Center of Orange County Defending Imam Al-Qazwini

Yesterday I cross-posted an article by Algemeiner concerning the controversial statements of Shi'ite imam Sayed Moustafa al Qazwini to the effect that Israel intelligence services created ISIS. This week, the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County in Costa Mesa, where Qazwini is head imam, is running this statement in defense of the imam and his statements.

http://iecoc.org/statement-clarifying-imam-dr-sayed-moustafa-al-qazwinis-comments-on-isis-and-other-terrorist-group

First of all, nobody is claiming that Qazwini's comments contained any direct references towards the Jewish people. I myself have not seen any. Leaving aside the entire question of what motivates universal Islamic opposition to the existence of the Jewish state, I will simply say that the imam's statements about Israel and ISIS constitute quackery and the usual attempt by Muslim leaders like Qazwini to avoid any Islamic responsibility for groups like ISIS. On two previous occasions I have heard Qazwini disclaim any Muslim responsibility for terrorism and intolerance. Trying to blame Israel for ISIS is just the latest example.

In addition, the lame attempt by the IECOC to explain away and defend these comments is laughable at best. If Qazwini's comments were taken out of context, please illustrate how they were taken out of context, especially since by the IECOC's own admission, they were first made in 2014 (and again in June and again in the past few days).

It is quite true that Qazwini is active in inter-faith events among the kumbaya crowd. I have personally heard his soothing words. However, there are all too many imams in this country who say one thing to non-Muslim audiences while saying quite another to their own followers. It appears Qazwini is one of them.