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Texas Senate Imam Prayer

3rd Texas Muslims Legislative Day (TMLD)
“The Future Lies Within Our Hands”

 

F&J Action Alert for all people of good faith in Texas and beyond...

 

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Let's show Austin that Texans celebrate Religious Freedom for all and that includes Texas Muslims!

 

<<<--Click to watch Imam Kavakci's Senate Prayer

 

People of good faith are asked to watch the prayer by clicking on the Video Picture to the left of Lt. Governor David Dewhurst as well as Senator Dan Patrick's speech attempting reconciliation late in the day. We ask you to send an email of gratitude and support to Texas State Senator Florence Shapiro (R-Plano) for sponsoring this milestone event by emailing: ThankSenator@freeandjust.org.

 

Sample email sent by a Christian Texan to Senator Shapiro: "I am a southern baptist and iraqi war veteran. I totally support your request to have a muslim start the daily session with a prayer. Our country prides itself on freedoms which the US forces and I have defended to the death. I support any freedom that has not been perversed or manipulated to personal benefit. Thank you for standing your ground against the opposition."


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April 12, 2007- Several leaders of the Texas interfaith community hand-delivered an organizational resolution passed by the Board of Directors of Texas Impact, a statewide religious network of grassroots activists, to thank Senator Shapiro for sponsoring Imam Dr. Yusuf Kavakci's Islamic prayer opening the Texas Senate as part of the 3rd Texas Muslims Legislative Day on April 4, 2007.

 

The delegation (pictured to the left) who met with the Senator on behalf of all the Texas Impact Board of Directors , included Father Richard Daley (Texas Catholic Conference), Saadia Ahmed (Executive Director of F&J), Beth Olson (Baptist General Convention of Texas-Christian Life Commission), Bee Moorehead (Executive Director of Texas Impact), Ellen Sable (Chair of the National Council of Jewish Women), Senator Florence Shapiro, Mohamed Elibiary (President & CEO of F&J), and Reverend Mel Carraway (President of Texas Impact).

 

Statement of Support by the Texas Impact Board of Directors to Sen. Florence Shapiro

 

The Board of Directors of Texas Impact, a multi-faith statewide advocacy organization, would like to express our appreciation and support to you for your efforts in promoting interfaith dialogue and cooperation as evidenced by your invitation to Imam Dr. Yusuf Kavakci to open the April 4, 2007 session of the Texas State Senate with prayer as part of the 3rd Texas Muslims Legislative Day.

 

We commend you for this invitation and your subsequent remarks on the Senate floor following Iman Kavakci's prayer. We believe it is imperative in the atmosphere of today's world that the principles of religious liberty guaranteed in the First Amendment have a prominent forum. Our state is a microcosm of the religious diversity found in our United States, and it is incumbent upon all of our legislative bodies to uphold the freedom of all our citizens to express their faith.

 

We celebrate the diversity of faiths and the people of our state and encourage all people of good will to engage in interfaith conversation and cooperation. We thank you and applaud you, Senator Shapiro, for your efforts.

******************

Texas Impact Board of Directors: Reverend Mel Caraway - President, Rebekah Rosenberg - Vice-President, Liz Yeats - Secretary, Lin Team - Treasurer

Dr. Philippa Strelitz, Gertrude Miller, Fred Lewis, Rose Lancaster, Reverend Dr. Whitney Bodman, Seth Wispelwey, Dr. Aurora Cepeda, Reverend Dr. J. Andy Fowler, Suzii Paynter, Edie Sunday, Reverend David Hargrave, Mohamed Elibiary, Reverend Tom Heger, Reverend Chuck Hubbard, Ellen Sable, Reverend Jack Soper, Walter Shipman, Reverend Tim Tutt, Mina Johnson, Reverend Bill Johnson, Rita Carlson, Reverend Glynden Bode, Reverend Randy Smith, Reverend Ernie O'Donnell, Reverend Judy O'Donnell, Reverend Herb Palmer, Nancy Benthien, Dr. Ginny Burnett, Reverend Lydia Hernandez, Wanda Holcombe, Mina Loomis, Reverend James C. McClain, Martha Rogers, Patrice Schexnayder, Brother Richard Daly


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The Chair of the Texas Education Committee, Senator Florence Shapiro along with Texas's Lt. Governor Dewhurst welcomed Imam Dr. Yusuf Kavakci and the Texas Muslim community on this monumental occasion. To read the Official Press Release from Senator Shapiro, click here.

 

Background:

On Wednesday April 4, 2007, Imam Dr. Yusuf Kavakci of the Dallas Central Mosque opened the Texas Senate with an Islamic prayer broadcast live as part of the 3rd Texas Muslims Legislative Day organized by the Freedom and Justice Foundation (F&J). Most of our fellow Texans decided to celebrate this milestone event, but some choose to attempt even if unsuccessfully to stop the evolution of history. On March 18, 2003 during the 1st Texas Muslims Legislative Day we had the 1st Imam opening the Texas House of Representatives but as luck would have it was on the eve of Operation Iraqi Freedom, so some felt the event unpatriotic because it benefited Muslims and attempted unsuccessfully to keep us from passing the 1st Muslim focused legislation in Texas that year (Texas Halal Food Law protecting Muslim consumers).

 

3rdtmldgroupThere have been hundreds of news outlets (Print, Radio & TV) who have reported on this week's milestone accomplishment for Texas Muslims but also about the choice of one State Senator (Dan Patrick of Houston) to "showboat" his dissent as another Senator put it. In the end the Islamic Prayer was not cancelled and all the interfaith and public policy speakers scheduled to participate in the Program not only participated but welcomed Muslims to the State Capitol. In the end Senator Dan Patrick was the only Senator who decided to sit out the Islamic Prayer opening up the Texas State Senate, and due to the good will efforts of his Legislative Colleagues and the interfaith community Sen. Patrick decided to execute a rarely used Parliamentary procedure to voice his desire for reconciliation very late in the day.

 

Sample Articles from around Texas about the 3rd Texas Muslims Legislative Day: Austin-American Statesman, Dallas Morning News, San Antonio Express News, Houston Chronicle

Sample Blog in Reaction to Imam Kavakci's Prayer: Texas Monthly, Newspaper Editorial 


Official F&J Position on all the developments

 

The Freedom and Justice Foundation (F&J) started in November 2002 with the vision of

civically empowering the Texas Muslim community by connecting them into a strong statewide network and building strong interfaith relationships with our Christian and Jewish neighbors. Though the majority of the American Muslim community is born and raised here, we have gone the extra mile in helping Muslim immigrants to the Lone Star State integrate and become proud Americans in every sense of the word. F&J's successes helping Muslim immigrants integrate have been recognized by our government and we've performed workshops aiding other Western Muslim communities to learn from Texas's example. We would like to thank our interfaith partners at the Texas Conference of Churches, Texas Impact and the Baptist General Convention of Texas Christian Life Commission among others for helping us pave the way for better interfaith relations between all of Abraham's children in Texas. While some on both sides of the current Global War on Terror choose to see a "Clash of Civilizations" paradigm, F&J will continue to recognize the uniqueness of the individual whether Jewish, Christian or Muslim and treat everyone as we believe all should be treated.

 

We recognize that though voluntary Muslim immigration to Texas might have begun with seven men led by Hajji Ali in 1856 as part of the US Army's Camel Corp to explore the American Southwest, most Texans did not become aware of American Muslims until the events of 9/11. The American Muslim community is a productive community with multiple surveys showing a higher then the national average college education and household income, and we hope that efforts by Texas Muslims advocating for Public Education, Public Health Care and the Environment benefiting all Texans are recognized. Texas Muslims are on the front lines keeping our communities safe from those who wish our country harm, whether its Homeland Security or Military Service one finds Texas Muslims serving proudly. F&J's Chairman Ian Benouis JD is himself a multiple generation West Point Graduate and decorated combat vet as are many other Texas Muslims.

 

The attacks on this milestone event largely came from two camps, Senator Dan Patrick and some Republican Party Officials in the Houston Area. Concerning Senator Patrick we would like to thank him for coming around very late in the day and entering into the Senate record his "realization" that our troops in Iraq are fighting for "all Americans" and that American Muslims are part of that collective. F&J will continue to reach out to every legislator in Texas including Senator Patrick so that an accurate understanding of the Texas Muslim community is represented. The second camp voicing opposition to the Islamic prayer at the State Senate was a minority segment of the Texas Republican Party and we are thankful for all the support received from Republican Party officials and activists across Texas who stood up and welcomed the right of Texas Muslims to practice their Religious Freedoms.

 

The arguments leveled against why this milestone event shouldn't have happened are itemized below with our responses to them:

 

1. Harris County GOP Chairman Jared Woodfill raised the point that Muslims should not be allowed to offer an Islamic Prayer during Holy Week for Christians in the Texas Senate.

Response: The week was Holy to not only Christians, but also Jews celebrating Passover and some Muslims who celebrated Prophet Muhammad's birthday on Thursday.

 

2. Imam Dr. Yusuf Kavakci is the resident Scholar at the Dallas Central Mosque and some have tried to hold him accountable for the 'drive-by investigative inconclusions' made in a 2005 Freedom House Report on extremist "Wahhabi literature" found at that Mosque. 

Response: Imams don't run most Mosques, and as in the example at the Dallas Central Mosque lay leadership is elected through a democratic election process every couple of years. The Dallas Morning News piece from 2005 passed around by Senator Patrick is misinformed and meant to sensationalize a story for ratings. The Dallas Central Mosque's elected leadership did respond completely on this issue before the US Senate Judiciary Committee and their testimony was fully satisfactory to those US Senators who wished to research both sides of the story.

 

Click here if you'd like to read the testimony before the US Senate.

 

3. When all the previous accusations didn't work, then a "fabricated lie" was circulated on anti-Islamic websites that the Prayer read by Dr. Kavakci (Fatiha-Opening Chapter of the Quran) was exclusionary of Christians and Jews when asking for God's Blessings.

Response: Normally we wouldn't choose to respond to such idiocy, but this accusation is what has angered the largest segment of folks. It is a sad day for America that Texas Muslims are being judged according to the most shallow understanding of Islamic Theology found today on numerous websites wishing to frame Islam and Muslims only through the prism of Terrorism. The opening chapter of the Quran (Fatiha) is recited by practicing Muslims at least 17 times a day and is comparable to the Lord's Prayer in Christianity for many. Anyone who has engaged Muslims in interfaith dialogues over the decades would have seen these verses discussed. One accusation on Islamophobic websites has been that the final verse refers to Muslims as favored and Jews & Christians as the lost/misguided ones. The verse begins by asking for guidance to "the road of those whom you (God or Allah in Arabic) have favored, with whom you (God) are not angry, nor who are lost!"

 

 

This false accusation reminds us that while everyone is entitled to their own opinions they are not necessarily entitled to their own facts. Yes some intolerant literalist interpreters wishing to elevate Muslims and damn all Christians and all Jews would agree with the Islamophobic website's interpretations, but what these Christians and Jews forget is that these intolerant literalist interpreters would not be participating in any interfaith functions anyhow. Plus the overwhelming majority of Muslims including Dr. Kavakci and us here at F&J read these verses as is without trying to put biased interpretations where no factual evidence exists to substantiate it, because God's favor and anger can befall people of all faiths whether Muslims, Christians or Jews. Islam is full of verses and narrations' reminding the "true believers" that no one is better in the eyes of God except by the merits of their good deeds. The last major accusation revolved around that small minority of fundamentalist Evangelical Christians who continue to espouse that "Allah" is not "God", much to the surprise of 20 Million Christians praying to "Allah" in the Arab Middle East. In preparation for Dr. Kavakci's prayer F&J made sure that he used the terms "interchangeably" so that all Muslims, Christians and Jews would feel equally part of the prayer and from the Legislators we spoke with all seemed to appreciate the sentiment. Most American Christian Denominations have official statements recognizing that while each faith (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) might choose to highlight different attributes of the one divine deity, all three are referring to the one true God of Abraham whether the word used to describe God is in the English, Spanish, German, Arabic, Malaysian, or any other language.

 

F&J would like to thank the many Christian and Jewish Texans who wrote and called in to support this event and here's a sample of an email delivered supporting Senator Shapiro's sponsorship of Imam Dr. Yusuf Kavakci's prayer opening the Texas State Senate: "I am a southern baptist and iraqi war veteran. I totally support your request to have a muslim start the daily session with a prayer. Our country prides itself on freedoms which the US forces and I have defended to the death. I support any freedom that has not been perversed or manipulated to personal benefit. Thank you for standing your ground against the opposition."

 

With the help of the Texas Muslim community and our coalition partner CAIR-Texas, the Freedom and Justice Foundation (F&J) would like to thank everyone who participated in the 3rd Texas Muslims Legislative Day and showed their support for the Islamic Prayer opening up the Texas Senate. We wish our Jewish neighbors a Happy Passover and our Christian neighbors a Happy Easter.


 

           Wednesday April 4, 2007, Texas State Capitol at 11:00 AM Sharp - 4:00 PM!

 

3rd Texas Muslims Legislative Day Program Agenda

 

11 AM - 11:30 AM: Prayer by Imam Dr. Yusuf Kavakci Opening the State Senate Session Location: Senate Gallery in the Texas State Capitol - Room 3E.5

 

11:45 AM - 12:00 PM: Group Picture on the South Side Steps of the Capitol Building

 

12:15 PM - 1:00 PM: Session I: 80th Legislature Update, Intro. to Texas Impact and "Meet your Legislator Workshop"

 

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch Break (Cafeteria - Room E1.002) and Visit Your Representative and Senator

 

2:00 PM - 2:15 PM: Jamaa Zuhr Prayer in the Legislative Conference Center - Room E2.002

 

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM: Session II: Homeland Security & Immigration Legislation (Rebecca Bernhardt - ACLU), Texas Human Rights Commission (Thomas M. Anderson, JD, SPHR - Chair, Robert Gomez - Exec. Dir. & Anwar Khalifa - Commissioner), Texas Interfaith Power and Light (Bee Moorhead & Ian Benouis JD)

 

3:15 PM - 4:00 PM: Session III: Texas Islamic Council (T.I.C.) and Interfaith Relations, where are we headed? Mohamed Elibiary with responses by Rev. Dr. George Bithos (Executive Director of the Texas Conference of Churches) and Suzii Paynter (Executive Director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Christian Life Commission)

 

4:30 PM: Buses Depart Austin


Interfaith Protest Against BigotryThe Freedom and Justice Foundation (F&J) as the first state-level civic organization serving the government and interfaith relations needs of Texas Muslims and coordinator of the Texas Islamic Council with its member congregations spanning from Tyler to El Paso and Dallas-Fort Worth down to Austin and Houston organized on April 4, 2007 the 3rd Texas Muslims Legislative Day. To learn more on the event, watch a video of the Imam's prayer opening the Texas Senate and read F&J's response to all the media uproar, scroll up on this webpage.

 

Two minority but vocal segments of the Texas Christian community have been consistently lobbying to make sure that no more invocational prayers by Texas Muslims are ever performed in the State Capitol. Those two segments are self-identified as "Christian Zionists", wishing to roll-back Islam's integration in America, and "fundamentalist evangelicals" using the opportunity to continue waging a cultural and theological civil war inside Western Christianity.

 

We need the support of Jewish & Christian Texans to match the numbers of intolerant folks:

 

We have compiled below just a few dozen of the emailed attacks sent to the sponsoring Senator of this milestone event in Texas History. Many Texas Muslims have sent in emails of support to Senator Shapiro, but unfortunately the "haters" are a much larger and better organized community so we are asking Christian and Jewish Texans to stand up and speak out against the intolerance in our society that would marginalize a religious minority attempting to exercise the most basic freedoms the US Constitution affords to all US Citizens.

 

From some of the Hate E-Mail messages below, the viewpoint that Islam and Muslims are not part of America becomes very evident. They also view:

 

1. the "Global War on Terror" as a "War against Islam"

2. Muslims are not "Americans" and should be treated as if they are "Iranians", "Saudis" or whatever "enemy" America is at War with so that any of them inside the "Christian West" would leave.

3. Muslims don't believe in "God", but instead believe in "Allah" - a moon God from ancient Arabia. A Houston pastor with the US Pastoral Council, a fundamentalist evangelical group out of Houston, appeared on the FOX TV Show "Hannity & Colmes" on Monday April 9, 2007 and stated as one the reasons why Muslims should not be allowed to perform invocational prayers before the Texas Legislature that "85% of Americans believe in God" and that our "government should represent the People". The assertion is that Muslims do not then believe in God and that our government should not represent its Muslim constituents.

 

***All accusations are answered by F&J above.

 

How you can help?

 

We are asking all Texans of good will (Muslim, Christian, Jews, etc.) to email Senator Shapiro's office and thank her and her colleagues for supporting the Religious Freedom of all Texans by supporting the Religious Freedom of Texas Muslims. To email your message of support, send your message to: ThankSenator@freeandjust.org.

 

Here's a small sampling of the "hate emails" sent to Senator Shapiro's office, text cut and pasted straight out of emails without any editing:


You can be assured that we (Christians and Jews) have taken this as a call to battle to end this unfair advantage of Islam in our justice system.


Were you aware that he was praying to Allah (not the God that we serve) to protect the Muslims from the unbelievers -- the Christians and the Jews.  I assure you that the pretense of working alongside other faiths is not the agenda of the Muslim community.  The goal of the Islam faith is to overtake the world for Islam.

 

I respect other people’s right to worship; however, in the name of ‘religious tolerance, our country is being destroyed by groups like Free and Just that are intentionally using our country’s precious freedoms to further their outrageous agendas- to harm and destroy us.  Unfortunately, our leaders are not using wisdom to know evil from good or demonstrating courage to stand up for what is true.  God help us all- and I am referring to the ONE True God of the Bible- the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.


The video of the opening prayer brought up a fear for this country more than the fear of what happened on 9/11.  This is the "same" enemy, but now it is within our very leadership in government!

 

I am totally disgusted that you let a foreign Muslim

pray in the Texas Senate.

It is very disturbing that he prayed that God would

kill and or punish those who did not believe in Allah.

America is a CHRISTIAN NATION not a Muslim nation.

It appears that you have turned your back on the God

of our founding fathers.


I am absolutely appalled at what I heard regarding the opening prayer by a muslim no less!! ...This is also a slap in the face to those people who lost their lives on flight 93 and also the twin towers in NY city and to the Jewish community. You are most likely saying to yourself "those were radical terrorists, and arent the same." I beg to differ from you because islam and their evil book called the Koran would rather all of the world call upon their "god allah" or cut our throats. Have you forgotten the hostages whose heads were cut off and shown on video from the muslim countries? And you sit back and say "what a country we live in to worship in freedom of religion." This country was never founded on Allah but G-d of Abraham Isaac and Jacob!!


Wake up to the fact that Islam has a deep hatred for Christians and Jews.  These people are killing our own men and women in Iraq as well as our Jewish friends ....and they are expecting to be accepted into 'heaven' with virgins awaiting them for eternal pleasure.  Ask the Iman what place today's Muslim women have in an Islamic 'heaven'...that's if he doesn't lie.  Ask the Iman why a truce or agreement with Israel can never be made...Islam can never ever hold or come into an agreement with a non Islamic state...it's against their religion.  They will only lie and say they can but in reality all agreements are void. 

 

What is wrong with Christians in our senate that can't stand up for a country built on God not Allah. 

 

Heaven is only for those that accept Jesus as their Savior.  He is the way, the truth and the life and no one gets to Heaven without Him.  How would that thought or prayer be accepted in an Islamic mosque...you would find very little freedom.

 

Freedom without Christ is not freedom at all. 


"One Nation under

God" was not ment for this allah

prayed to by the imam...


The sound of this imam sent chills through my spirit and made me realize how very weak the Christian community has become to let this happen in silence.  God, forgive us and God forgive the Texas House of Representatives.  Allowing this "prayer" is practically treasonous!

...remember, in Islam it is OK to lie to advance the cause of Islam.

 

Why did you not protest? Has this minority such influence or are you ignorant of who really hates the elected people making laws  as you are. Islam's Shia law says only the Koran is the law. A true Muslim hates the fact that you consider yourself able to do the will of the people.


Yes, I understand freedom of religion, but there is also such a thing as a

country protecting itself and holding the enemy at bay. I realize that

there are some Muslims who desire peace, but those who hold to the teaching

of the Koran have to be vigilant in the destruction of all 'unbelievers.'

Those who are not Muslim are considered unbelievers.

If the State of Texas does not shut the door on such an influence, it won't

be long before we experience a devastating attack on our very soil.


How can you be so ignorant! It's not the religion of peace, it the religion of hatred for everyone not like them.

Shame on you!! I think you owe an apology to Jews and Christians everywhere.


Not only is Islam a gross deception and perversion of God's truth as found only in the Holy Bible, but it is an amalgamation of lies given to the Arab people by Mohammed in order to unify them into one people to take over the world.  Islam is not spiritual in nature but territorial.

Wherever they put their feet they consider it to be under Islamic rule.  That is why the king of Morocco still considers Spain part of his kingdom.  Now the Texas Senate has opened the door to Islamic rule in Texas bringing it out from undercover.


Dear Senator Patrick of Houston,

 

Thank you for being a modern day Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who would not bow to worship Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3:8-30.  Freedom should not be defined as giving a microphone to one who would kill you and me to yell fire, jihad, or murder in a theater or on the floor of the Texas Senate .  God help us.

 

May the true, living GOD bless you mightily for your courage, your example and your faithfulness.  “Choose this day whom you will serve.”  You did so admirably.  Good job.


I certainly do not support your having a Muslim imam offer the opening prayer at the Texas State Senate.  I was quite brokenhearted that "political correctness in religion" had reached our great State.  You ought to be ashamed of yourself.  This great country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, not Muslim principles.  They seek to take away the freedom you so enjoy........I sincerely hope you come to your senses, if not, I hope you are not re-elected.  Sincerely, a Christian mother of four.


This is a Christian nation and our Constitution was founded upon Christian principles.  Why is someone with another god allowed to pray when all we hear is "separation of church and state" when our kids can't pray to God at school or anyplace else?  I hope this is the last time I hear of this.  Don't tell me I am not tolerant and do not love my neighbor.  It is a fact that in the past several years we have been the object of attacks overseas by muslims.  They make no secret that they plan to rule the world.  They make no secret of the fact that they hate Christians and Jews.  There are many kind, loving people who are muslims, but they do not have any business being in our government.  Wake up!  Read Grant Jeffries' book,"The Next World War", or Keith Intrater's book "From Iraq to Armageddon".  Read a few copies of the Jerusalem Post.  Do some research on this.  The fate of America may depend on it.


Senator, yes we are the land of the free, but I spent 20 years in the military fighting our enemies.

I can tell you that the Muslims are our enemy period.  Just as I flew on the B-52s loaded with H-BOMBS around the borders of Russia with a cyanide tablet in my pocket so I wouldn't be captured alive if shoot down during the Cold War, to protect our precious nation it is NOW up to you guys in government to forget 'POLITICAL CORRECTNESS" and keep our nation with one God and one language or else my sacrifices were in vain.


I am in absolute agreement with others in our community who DO NOT support your having a Muslim imam offer the opening prayer at the Texas State Senate.  I think what you have done is very shameful.

Our country was founded on the Judeo-Christian ethic. Our God is Jehovah God…not Allah. Our God is a God of love and justice….not a god who advocated killing all those who don’t agree with their viewpoint.

How dare you in the name of tolerance, support one who’s desire is to take over America and destroy the freedoms that our forefathers sacrificed for and our military are giving their lives for.

I think you have stepped over the line.


It is obvious that this nation, has been blinded as to their Biblical knowledge. You all should have asked the Imam if he believes in the God of Abraham, the God Isaac, the God of Jacob! His answer would not have been positive or he would have lied to you. Look at what is happening in Europe, the Muslims figure to have control of England by 2012 !  The Muslims have their own internet and when the time comes for all those "friendly and holy" people to  get the go ahead, they will come into your homes and you will either convert to Islam or they will kill you !!!

 

They will get your attention when they start killing themselves as human bombs, to kill, to destroy Americans and they do not care if they kill millions of their own people as they are now over a billion in population. I would suggest the Texas legislative body get into their Bibles, for themselves for most of the Pastors know not much more than the average citizen does. Start out by learning that from Genesis  One through  The Book of Revelation is all inspired by God, and written to Israel as His Chosen People and that there won't be any Baptists, Methodists.Catholics when Messiah Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew)  returns and that will be before most Americans will be ready, and to have repented of all their idolatry...The message I have for Mrs Shapiro and all the others, who sat there probably dumb founded, that who should have run the Imam out of the State !  The last speaker touting about our freedom of religion, well better tell him that the Imam and all the Muslims are laughing behind your backs. They have intentions to take control of the whole world !!! But it will not happen, if you know what God says in the Bible, the Messiah will come back and will save this world from total destruction, and Muslims will be no more.


Did all of you forget this is the USA ???  And do you believe that those people would let any of our religious people do that on their senate floor ?  And NONE of you had the American ability to stand up and say this is NOT Iraq, Iran or any other muslim country.

 

You owe the entire state of Texas an apology, and I recommend that you become informed about the real beliefs and goals of Islam.  A Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam, by Robert Spencer, would be a good place to start.


Texas  1845, Preamble . We, the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.

 

Doesn't our preamble say GOD?  Where does Allah get a free ticket in Texas?  If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.  I am so disappointed in the opening session on April 5, 2007, when no one opposed an iman's performance.  All it takes for evil to prevail is for 'good' to be silent.

 

Prime Minister John Howard of Australia didn't bow to Muslims but stood his ground (and Australia's) when he said and I quote "If you aren't happy here then LEAVE.  We didn't force you to come here.  You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted."


This man was blasphemous to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  It is very nice to be open-minded, but be careful that your brains don't fall out.  Allah is NOT the god of the Bible. 

 

This country was founded on the Judeo-Christian ethic and not a religion and holy book that advocates killing all those who don't agree with their viewpoint.  Islam's stated goal is to take over the world.  That includes Texas and the United States.  You may say the moderate Muslims don't espouse this view.  I say to that:  your head is in the sand.

 

I am a Christian and I am very thankful for the freedom in the United States of America.  But Free & Just goes WAY too far.  What about the Muslims in Dearborn, Michigan who burned both Israeli and American flags at their rally?  Is that freedom?  Many Muslims desire shar'ia law in the U.S.  If that is their viewpoint, my answer is for them to move to a country that already has shar'ia law.  How dare they try to override our laws and our freedoms by a religion that sends suicide bombers to punish us?


I listened with disgust at the Iman's opening remarks and prayer before the Texas Senate and was amazed that he was allowed to: one, do it in the first place, two, given free reign and three that he was not removed.  Sir, are you not aware of the problems Islam and the Muslim religion has caused not only for this great nation but for the world.  I wonder what our young men and womed fighting in Iraq and Afganistan would think, expecially those from Texas.  I think you owe them and all that had the displeasure to see and hear this outrage an apology.


This is how the Islam is going to take over the world and the process already started.

It is because dumb Americans like you that the terrorists feel at home in Texas.

Is because dumb American like you this once glories USA will fall in the hands of Moslems Radicals

The devil has many faces and one of them was at the opening of the senate meeting in Texas.

I wonder how much money you get paid to let a freaking Moslem open the meeting in an American institution.


As a Republican Jewish woman, I was at first outraged that a Muslim would be allowed to open the Texas House of Representatives with an Islamic prayer to Allah.  Everytime I hear the word Allah, I am reminded of terrorist Muslims screaming "Allahu Akbar" as they chant for our death.

 

But then I heard the words of Senator Dan Patrick and I realized what a good idea it was to allow Imam Kavakci to open with their Islamic prayer.

 

The only joy and satisfaction that I, as an American, Latin Sefardic Jewish Republican got from this "milestone" is that we showed Muslims everywhere that WE, America is a country of freedom.  THEY would never allow a Jew or a Christian to pray in their Government functions, but we did. 

 

I was horrified to find out that 400 to 500 thousand Muslims live in Texas and 150,000 in Dallas alone.  No wonder I see them everywhere and in casual conversation I have been questioned about my Star of David around my neck.  One Muslim even told me that I should not wear it because Muslims found it offensive.  But I will continue to wear it because in America I have the freedom to do so.

 

It's terribly sad that like Senator Patrick said, we will not allow Christian kids to take their bibles to school or pray in school and we've removed the Ten Commandments from many places, have banned "Merry Christmas" and Nativity scenes from Government property, public schools and even stores,  YET... we allowed a Muslim Imam to take the Koran that demands our death for being infidels to pray in our Texas House of Representatives.

 

It hurts that this is one more victory for Muslims but it is also a victory for America for showing them what freedom truly is.


What I saw on the video of the Texas Senate's convocation by the imam was disgusting and showed the gutless wonders who make up the Texas Senate !   The double standard and political correctness that has been displayed have to STOP.  It is this type of cowardice and apathy that has allowed the muslims to trample over European countries like Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, and so on and so on.  In the Netherlands, the native Dutch have become fearful of the muslims.  In The Hague, the old Jewish synagogue in downtown has been converted to a mosque !!  I know -- I am from there and I have seen it with my own eyes.  It is decades of liberalism, political correctness, the absence of national pride, the failure to protect and defend their Christian faith and heritage that have led to the disastrous results of today:  refusal of the muslims to integrate and to be courteous "guests" in the countries of Europe.  After decades of spineless apathy on the part of the Europeans, and the gradual but definite expansion of the muslim population (through having larger families, whereas the Europeans have thrown away their morals preferring to live together denouncing the institution of marriage, preferring no children !), the Europeans are well on their way to being outnumbered in their OWN countries.


DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN IN THIS GREAT NATION.  Do not allow islam to take the same place as Christianity, on which this beloved nation's foundation rests.   PLEASE DO NOT BE SO FOOLISH AS THE EUROPEANS, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.


Please, please, do your homework and listen to the what leaders of the muslim religion are saying. Please do not be naive anymore and stand up for our nation. If you refuse to do this, may God have mercy on this nation, and on your soul as one who stands as a traitor.


You must have you head in the sand if you believe what Islam is saying in America.  I have worked among Islamic people for over 30 years and I know what they believe and practice.  I am sure that all the families from our fallen men and women in battle think you are a traitor.  Islam wants to conquer our nation and make it a nation of Islam and they will not quire and until it is done.  Some body needs to stand up for America and you have been elected to do so but you are failing.


You know as well as I that their God is called allah and he is NOT God.

Do you have a child fighting in Iraq? Would you want he or she to be killed just  to please allah.?

What about all those people who were killed  on (9 11) just so some Muslim could go to his promised reward.

Please no more prayers from Muslims I don't care how educated or good they are.


I was very concerned and upset about hearing that a Muslim imam was allowed to pray to open up the Texas senate recently. Allah, whom Muslims worship, is not the true G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Koran is not the Bible, the Word of G-d, either. We are a nation that was founded with a faith in one G-d, the true and the living G-d, not a god of someone's imagination (Mohammed). At a time, when we have removed prayer and Bible reading from our schools, why should we be having the Koran quoted in our legislature.


We are engaged in a life-and death struggle with a foe that despises our Western ideals and is committed to our destruction. This is not the time to allow the camel's nose under the tent. Witness the subversion of Western Europe following its years of misguided acceptance of mass immigration from Muslim countries. The children and grandchildren of the refugees from intolerant Muslim societies have turned violent against the societies that welcomed them. Witness the virulent anti-Semitism and anti-French riots in France and the viciously murderous anti-Western preachings of imams in Britain. We don't need to repeat that sorry spectacle here.


I am totally appalled that you invited an Iman to lead the opening "prayer" at the Texas Senate.  Have you forgotten 9-11?  They did this and other dastardly acts of terrorism in the name of ALLAH,  who is not our God of love, but a "god" of hate".  Allah in the Koran says 'KILL YOUR ENEMIES"......while our God says "love your enemies".  They are not the same.

 

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING???


The idea of "tolerance at all costs"  will be the downfall of our country.  What about

what is right and just ?  What about good old fashioned discernment of good and evil?

It is obvious which is good and which is evil here.  What religion cuts off heads, filets

tongues, etc?  What religion wants to bring the whole world under it's authority thru

terrorism?  Why in the world would you sanction and give respect to this frame of mind?


You say that we are all americans, but all americans in the name of religion

do not kill those who disagree with them.

Islam's stateed goal is to take over the world, and it includes Texas and

the United States. You have forgotten 9/11 and what they did in the name of

Allah, who is not the God of the Christians and Jews.

Muslims want shar'is law in the U. S. so they can take control. How dare

they try to override our laws and freedoms based on the Bible. They can

move to from the U. S. to where that country already has shar'ia law.

Their religion is responsible for sending suicide bombers to punish us.

They are a very barbaric people, not a people of peace.


Our country was founded on the freedom to worship the true God of our Bible and not this false religion, who is not even alive as we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord God almighty, Jesus !!

 We must stand up for our faith or God will in deed bring about the justice that we deserve.

We must not allow this again !!


This nation was founded on the Judeo-Christian values of the Jewish and Christian peoples who had died for the nation and the freedoms we now enjoy.

 

Your Islamic peoples are a waring, murderous people and do not belong in this country. There are those who have their eyes closed. There are those to want the Christian and Jewish people to fall asleep and let the Islamic extremists - remember Oklahoma and 9/11 - take over.

 

There are those of us who are aware of Dearbornistan. Obviously, these will soon be a Texastan, as well.

 

Go back to Turkey and spread your beliefs. You and your kind don't belong here.


I am outraged that the following happened on American soil, praising the Allah of Islam and degrading the Judeo-Christian values that this country was founded upon.

 

Only a fool would be so blinded to not see the true goal of all Muslims, to take over America........your 'foolishness' by allowing and honoring this kind of "muslim praying" only hastens their goal...................God deliver your blindness.

 

If this is what "Texans" are forced to accept, I am totally ashamed to be a Texan...and quiet frighten that we have such blinded, deceived leaders.


Just wanted to make sure you understood what the heck you people just did for America in the name of Religious Tolerance. Ask us. I live in Israel.

 

BTW, you should have someone fluent in Arabic translate the prayer that the Immam sang. It’s the same stuff we have to listen to here in Jerusalem day in and day out from all the Minnerets in the city five times a day.

 

All I can say is that I hope America survives this recent onslaught that your legislature just brought down upon the country.


do you know the fundamentals of

 

their Faith- it is to kill and destroy anyone who will not submit to allah.

 

These Imans want to "Sue" people who are afraid of them. They BLOW UP THEIR OWN

 

BABIES- THEIR OWN BODIES- and as many Jews as they can.

 

Please consider that we live in America- one nation under G-d...


This great United States of America was founded on a Judeo/Christian foundation…thus the reason for the many blessings this nation has received in the past 230 years.

 

The idea that a Muslim Inman would be invited and allowed to pray a hateful prayer directed at Jews and Christians as unbelievers, is appalling. Obviously the Texas Senate is either too PC or just plain ignorant. Read the Koran and see just exactly what plans these Muslims have for all Jews, Christians and anyone not a Muslim…it’s death by decapitation. PERIOD. As politicians…you won’t be exempt, they wish you dead also.

 

Wake up, defend the Judeo/Christian foundation upon which this great nation was founded…OR…stand in line to be eliminated or convert!!

 

Your PC sickness could be fatal not only to you but your constuients!


Please let it be known that I stand against letting a Muslim prayer be said in the Texas legislature!  This goes directly against the one true and living God --- Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

 

I do not need a Muslim inman praying to Allah for my protection as an unbeliever.  There is no protection afforded to my by Allah ---- there is only jihad with Allah. 

 

My protection comes from Almighty God through His Son, Jesus Christ!

 

I was appalled to see and hear a muslim Imam giving the opening at the Texas Senate. Do you not realize that he was praying to Allah (Satan) ? Allah is not the same as our Heavenly Father God or His son Jesus Christ. At the very least you should have checked into his theology. Our country was founded on Christian principles, based on the Bible not the Koran. I do not live in Texas, thank God! If I did I would be more outraged!!! Do you not realize that the muslims are trying to take over our country, WE MUST stand up against them and live strongly and boldly for our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave His life that we might have everlasting life through faith in Him.


This religion is the only one in the world with a book where you can find the words slaughter the nonbelievers and do not befriend Christians and Jews, there hadeeths state Jews are pigs and monkeys.  I understand it is beautiful how tolerant we are here in America, I love our nation very much.  However, I find it a double standard when we were at war with Japan how we discriminated against the Japanese Americans and when we go to war with Islam we allow them to lead prayers in our government buildings.  Surely our tolerance of Islam will allow it to someday overtake us and destroy us if we allow this type of propaganda to enter our House of Representatives.  Please on behalf of Jews and Christians the world over who are loosing there lives to Islam do what you can to keep this type of thing from happening. 


I wouldn't go against the Bible if I were you. It's far too real.  The Bible purports to be the Word of God, and it's the world's most popular book.  Don't ignore it or oppose it for a moment.  Your eternal welfare depends upon your attitude to this Book.   Jesus said,  " If you do not believe that I am he, you shall die in your sins."


You should be ashamed by this. That prayer was death to Christians and Jews. That is freedom?

Remember what you started in this when your family is being executed for not being Islamic or observing Sharia law. I am ashamed that folks like you are considered Americans. You are traitors to our country!!!!!!!


You will answer to God for your unbelief.  You need to resign.


I am very grieved that this man was allowed to pray to Allah.  There are many ways we can show our care and work with Muslims, but to allow prayer to their god who has had nothing to do with the success and blessing of our state or country is wrong.  The God of our fathers is the one true God in whom we need to cry out to for mercy and grace in such times of need.


Sadly the god Allah would take away the very religious freedom enjoyed by this IMAM in Texas.

 

Please protect our religious freedom from Allah.

 

I am outraged that in America this muslim was allowed to pray to Allah and

for the increase of muslims in our Christian nation.

 

I believe and support the freedom that America represents. At the same

time I believe we as a nation need to be as wise and serpents, and

gentle as doves. We need to recognize what Muslims are trying to do to

destroy the very things that we believe in, and many Americans die to

defend. This is a spiritual war we are in, like it or not, and the

sooner we recognize this, the greater the likelihood that we will

survive as a nation. Some previously "Christian" nations are in the

process of surrendering their beliefs to a growing Muslim influence,

and this can happen to us if we fail to defend what our country once

stood for. Frankly, I am very concerned for the future of America, and

the event in the Texas Senate is a good example of failure to honor and

cherish our Christian heritage. In trying to tolerate everything, we

can end up standing for nothing. If you have doubts about which side

our God is on consider the protection He has provided for Israel in

spite of overwhelming odds, and Israel is not even a Christian nation.

Nevertheless, He chose them and will not fail to fulfill his Covenant

with them as we approach the end. If you know anything about our

Christian God, and the evidence He has provided in His Word, you will

recognize who the god of the religion of Islam is. Check out what

Australia has done as an example of what America should do in regard to

this threat.


Do you think that by ignoring  everything we as a Christian country, or at least a democratic country, stand for in order to appease an Ideology that denies any form of democracy is showing yourself to be in any way a woman of wisdom?  It is not. You have done more damage to your country than you can possibly know. You do not appease that which wants to destroy.  You confront it.        Perhaps you might research a little about Islam's Moon God "Allah" and Mohammad's philosophy of conquering the world.  It is written down if you care to read it.  I don't care to aid and abet it.  You might take a look at what is happening in the world outside America where there is Islamic predominance.  I don't think you want to go there.  Weren't the Twin Towers enough?  How many more blown up school buses, subways, embassies, railroads and public places does it take for a Senator to realize she is helping the wrong side?  Perhaps you are trying to appease in hopes of avoiding another tragedy. 


I can't believe you would allow such a thing to happen.  They will soon take over if we don't put a stop to such things as this.  They want to be another Hitler of the 30's &40's and this Nation is allowing it to happen.  Or I should say, our so called elected officials are allowing this to happen.  I think if you took a poll of your people, you WILL NOT find anyone who is in favor if this. 

I have always been proud of the Great State of Texas and proud of being a Texan but I think that is about to change.


Have you forgotten that the God

Who delivered Israel from Egypt so long ago also told

all the world that we are to have no other gods before

Him? Do you want His judgment upon this nation?

Surely you understand that He will not tolerate our

turning to any other god, and without Him, we are

toast! Please never, never bow to the wicked who do

not serve Jehovah God and Jesus Christ His Son again.

Our God reigns!


I AM ABSOLUTELY APPALLED AT THE TREASONOUS ACTIONS OF THE TEXAS STATE SENATE THAT YOU WOULD CONSIDER, MUCH LESS INVITE, AN INMAN TO OPEN WITH PRAYER TO A DEMON GOD.  THEIR GOD IS NOT THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB - THE GOD OF THE NATION OF AMERICA.  YOU WOULD DO WELL TO READ THE ARTICLE BELOW TO LEARN WHAT THE TRUTH IS ABOUT THE IMANS AND WHAT THEY ARE NOT ONLY TEACHING BUT ORGANIZING AND HEADING UP TO TAKE PLACE SHORTLY ON AMERICAN SOIL. I HOPE YOU ARE READY FOR YOUR HEADS TO BE CUT OFF FOR YOU CAN BE ASSURED YOURS WILL BE IF YOU REFUSE TO BOW TO SATAN.


It is a crime that this is being allowed. This nation is based on Christians,,,,not muslims..... I am here to say STOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP this crap.....now!!!!!!!!! I am here to tell you that................ I WILL NOT ALLOW this. I belong here and my prayers for.............. my GOD ....................not allah!!!!!!!!......  is what should be allowed here in the USA......... I am telling you this has to stop...............


I am totally appalled.  May God have mercy on all of us and I do not mean ALLAH.....I mean the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, the one true God.


I think you should be locked away in a jail cell. You are a disgrace to this Country and every freedom loving person. You are a traitor.


How dare anyone on American soil dishonor this country with a so-called "prayer" to a hateful idol as Allah! This should not be happening. Americans are not allowed to have nativity scenes, The 10 Commandments, and other Christian symbols displayed, and yet this awful "religion" is allowed to be revered. It is a disgust and a shame, and the damnation will come to America if it is allowed to continue. Jesus will punish!


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