Who Supports ISNA? Distinguished Georgetown Professors

Special Announcement

January 19, 2009

The celebrations involved in the inauguration of President Barack Obama proudly reflect the pluralism of American society. These gatherings bring together leaders from all of the major religious communities in the United States and are important symbols of the unity in diversity that gives America its strength. It is disturbing that the Associated Press provides support for those who want to undermine this inter-faith unity by publishing an article that accuses Dr. Ingrid Mattson, a Muslim leader who will speak at the prayer service in Washington’s National Cathedral, of having ties to terrorists. The article repeats the rhetorical extremism of those who pretend that “unindicted” means “convicted” and then use this misuse of language to malign a major American religious leader.

The Associated Press and news media like the International Herald Tribune that repeat these spurious charges owe Dr. Mattson, American Muslims, and all of those who take pride in American religious pluralism an apology. At this important time in American history, the Associated Press should be rejoicing in the manifestations of American religious pluralism, not repeating the unproven charges of the advocates of religious conflict.

John L. Esposito, University Professor and Professor of Islamic Studies, Georgetown University

John O. Voll, Professor of Islamic Studies, Georgetown University

Yvonne Y. Haddad, Professor of the History of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, Georgetown University