(New York Post) - Stephen Schwartz The Saudi regime is desperately trying to convince us that it is fighting terrorism. In Riyadh, James Zogby appeared as representative of his Arab American Institute (AAI), in a joint presentation with Saleh al-Wohaiby, secretary of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY, an official arm of the Saudi government). WAMY is the Saudi equivalent of the Hitler Youth: a hate-mongering, ultraextremist group preaching, among other niceties, that Shia Muslims are not real Muslims, but products of a Jewish conspiracy. It is under continuing investigation for involvement in al Qaeda funding. Until 9/11, Zogby was everyone's favorite Arab-American advocate. He was the soul of moderation on Israel, favoring Arab recognition of the Jewish state. He is a Christian, and admitted knowing nothing about Islam. But after 9/11, Zogby suddenly came out of the closet as a ferocious supporter of the Saudis and Wahhabism, and a vicious apologist for extremism. For Zogby to stand up alongside the bigots and agitators of WAMY is simply unacceptable if he wants his AAI to continue to enjoy respect among ordinary, decent Americans. Zogby should break with WAMY and denounce Wahhabism. If he won't, the Justice Department should order AAI to register as a foreign agent. His involvement with a foreign government in interfering with American law should be investigated as a subversive action.
2003-06-27 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive