Sean Hannity Falsely Claims Muslims “Don't Speak Out Enough” Against Extremism
Muslims From Around The World Have Condemned The Paris Attacks
Written by Brennan Suen
Published
In the wake of the November 13 Paris attacks, Radio and Fox News host Sean Hannity claimed “moderate Muslims don't speak out enough against the hijacking of their religion,” ignoring condemnations from Muslim world leaders, organizations, and scholars.
Sean Hannity: “Moderate Muslims Don't Speak Out Enough Against The Hijacking Of Their Religion”
Sean Hannity: “Moderate Muslims Don't Speak Out Enough Against The Hijacking Of Their Religion.” On the November 16 edition of The Sean Hannity Show, host Sean Hannity claimed that “moderate Muslims don't speak out enough against the hijacking of their religion” by ISIS and other terror organizations:
CALLER: What is in Quran is exactly what ISIS is doing, exactly what ISIS doing.
HANNITY: That's correct. In other words, take neither Christians or Jews for your friends. All of those quotes that I have brought up many, many times. And moderate Muslims don't speak out enough against the hijacking of their religion, and there's fear and intimidation. You know. [Premiere Radio Networks, The Sean Hannity Show, 11/16/15]
Sean Hannity: “Do You Think The More Moderate Elements In Islam Have Been Too Silent In The Face Of All Of These Terror Attacks?” On the November 16 edition of Fox News' Hannity, host Sean Hannity asked guest GOP presidential hopeful Ben Carson, “Do you think the more moderate elements in Islam have been too silent in the face of all of these terror attacks?”:
BEN CARSON: Now, what we need to do, I think, is encourage the imams and the clerics to come out and condemn the radical elements of that faith, because if they can --
SEAN HANNITY (HOST): Do you think the more moderate elements in Islam have been too silent in the face of all --
CARSON: Absolutely.
HANNITY: -- of these terror attacks, cumulatively speaking?
CARSON: Well, you know, I grew up in Detroit. You know, I've always known a lot of people in the Muslim community. And many of them are patriotic, you know, wonderful people who don't believe that radical stuff. But somebody needs to come out and make that distinction, because we need to have a way of being able to tell who our friends and who our friends are not. And we've got to become responsible. [Fox News, Hannity, 11/16/15]
Muslim World Leaders, Organizations, And Scholars Condemned The “Savage And Despicable Attacks”
Al Arabiya News: “Arab States Condemn 'Terrorist' Paris Attacks.” On November 14, Saudi-owned, pan-Arab television news channel Al Arabiya reported that Arab States, “Saudi Arabia, The UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Egypt have been among the Arab states leading condemnations of the simultaneous attacks in Paris.” The article also reported that leaders from Muslim-majority countries Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, Morocco, Turkey, and Iran also condemned the attacks:
Jordan's King Abdullah, meanwhile, expressed “deep regret and sadness” over the Paris attacks, also pledging solidarity with France.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi offered his condolences and “expressed his solidarity” with Paris, in a statement from the official news agency.
“Such terrorist attacks will not weaken the will of peace-loving countries,” Sisi was quoted as saying by a foreign ministry source.
Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Sabah, meanwhile, sent a “cable of condolence” to Hollande, condemning “these criminal acts of terrorism which run counter to all teachings of holy faith and humanitarian values.”
He reaffirmed Kuwait's solidarity with the French people and government, saying Kuwait supports all measures France might take to protect its security against the terror attacks.
Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa also offered his condolences and pledged solidarity with France.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi condemned the gun and bomb attacks, saying they showed the need for action against militants worldwide.
“We condemn and deplore the terrorist attacks in Paris, which emphasize that fighting terrorism calls for international efforts to eliminate it in all countries,” Abadi said in a statement.
Morocco's King Mohammed VI also sent a message of condolence to Hollande.
The message read: "I offer my most saddened condolences to you, to the innocent victims' families and to the entire French people as well as my earnest wishes of prompt recovery to the wounded.
“I would like to condemn in the strongest terms on behalf of the Moroccan people and in my own name these vile terrorist acts and express our full solidarity and support in this ordeal.”
The head of Sunni Islam's leading seat of learning, Cairo's Al-Azhar, on Saturday condemned “hateful” attacks in Paris.
“We denounce this hateful incident,” Ahmed al-Tayyeb told a conference in comments broadcast by Egyptian state television. “The time has come for the world to unite to confront this monster.”
Neighboring states Turkey and Iran also condemned the attack.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered his condolences after the attacks, calling for “a consensus of the international community against terrorism.” [Al Arabiya, 11/14/15]
President Of Indonesia Urged The “International Community To 'Wage War Against Terrorism.'” On November 14, Bloomberg reported that leaders across the world, including Indonesia, the nation with the largest Muslim population, condemned the attacks. President Joko Widodo of Indonesia called for international community to “wage war against terrorism.” [Bloomberg, 11/13/15]
CAIR: “We Condemn These Horrific Crimes In The Strongest Terms Possible.” In a statement released on November 13, the Council On American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, “condemn[ed] these crimes in the strongest terms possible”:
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned terror attacks in Paris that left many people dead and injured.
In a statement, CAIR said:
“These savage and despicable attacks on civilians, whether they occur in Paris, Beirut or any other city, are outrageous and without justification. We condemn these horrific crimes in the strongest terms possible. Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of those killed and injured and with all of France. The perpetrators of these heinous attacks must be apprehended and brought to justice.”
CAIR has consistently and repeatedly condemned all acts of terrorism wherever they have occurred. [CAIR, 11/13/15]
Islamic Society Of North America: “No Religious Tradition Can Ever Justify Nor Condone Such Ruthless And Senseless Acts Of Violence.” The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), the oldest and largest American Muslim umbrella organization, released a statement on November 14 condemning the attacks in Paris. ISNA President Azhar Azeez stated:
“We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks in Paris. No religious tradition can ever justify nor condone such ruthless and senseless acts of violence. Our prayers and condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the victims.”
The Islamic Society of North America's position on terrorism and extremism has been consistent with mainstream Islam as practiced by the overwhelming majority of Muslims in America and around the world. [ISNA, 11/14/15]
Coalition Of Eight Leading American Muslim Groups: ISIS Has “Hijacked Our Religion. The Muslim Community Strongly Condemns” The Paris Attacks. On November 14, MSNBC reported that a “coalition of eight leading national and local American Muslim groups held a press conference in Washington D.C. to condemn the carnage.” During the press conference, Saba Ahmed, president and founder of the Republican Muslim Coalition, stated to MSNBC: “Terrorists are not a representative of Islam in any way whatsoever.” MSNBC reported:
On Saturday, a coalition of eight leading national and local American Muslim groups, held a press conference in Washington, D.C., to condemn the carnage.
The New York-based Islamic Circle of North America, a member of the coalition group, said the organization “stands united with the people of France” and urged the French authorities to take “swift action in apprehending the perpetrators of this attack and bring them to justice.”
The group's president, Naeem Baid, added: “This kind of violence is inhuman and barbaric and is not justifiable by any religion.”
[...]
“Terrorists are not a representative of Islam in any way whatsoever,” Saba Ahmed, president and founder of the Republican Muslim Coalition, told MSNBC. “ISIS should go back to the basic teachings of Islam. They are misusing the teachings of Islam to carry out horrifying atrocities. That's completely un-Islamic, and they have hijacked our religion. The Muslim community strongly condemns [the attacks].” [MSNBC.com, 11/14/15]
ThinkProgress: "Muslims Around The World Condemn Paris Attacks Claimed By ISIS." On November 14, ThinkProgress reported that “Muslim leaders the world over ... Muslim imams, scholars, commentators, and average Muslims expressed grief and horror” in response to the Paris terror attacks:
Muslim leaders the world over are condemning the horrific terror attacks that struck Paris Friday night, expressing outrage and shock at an onslaught of shootings and bombings that left at least 120 dead and hundreds wounded.
The outpouring of support for the victims and disgust for the attacks began even before ISIS, the militant terrorist group current terrorizing entire sections of Iraq and Syria, claimed responsibility for the carnage. Muslim imams, scholars, commentators, and average Muslims expressed grief and horror using social media. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, an Islamic movement founded in British India in the 19th century, released a statement rebuking the “barbaric attacks.” [ThinkProgress, 11/14/15]
Muslim Public Affairs Council: “The Attacks In Paris Were Horrific And Despicable, And Taking Innocent Life Violates The Principles Of Every Faith.” Salam Al-Marayati of The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) released a statement calling the Paris attacks “horrific and despicable.” Al-Marayati stated that “taking innocent life violates the principles of every faith”:
The attacks in Paris were horrific and despicable, and taking innocent life violates the principles of every faith. The orchestration of multiple locations and maximization of casualties shows a sinister disregard for life that is grossly at odds with any and all of us as human beings and as American citizens.
We must redouble our efforts for partnership and cooperation with law enforcement, as they have the challenging dual responsibility to neutralize any terrorist threat and also to protect communities from any backlash.
Our country must be united in this time of crisis; unity will enhance our efforts to fend off any violent extremism and preserve the values of our society.
To mitigate any attempt by ISIS in their recruiting efforts in the U.S., we are promoting programs to build resilience against its terrorist ideology.
Our prayers and condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the victims. [MPAC, 11/14/15]