Feisal Abdul Rauf

Feisal Abdul Rauf

Abdul Rauf at the 2005 World Economic Forum in Cologny, Switzerland.
Born 1948 (age 66–67)
Kuwait
Nationality American
Occupation Imam, author, landlord
Known for Sponsor and director of Park51
Religion Sunni Islam (Sufi)

Feisal Abdul Rauf (Arabic: فيصل عبد الرؤوف‎, born 1948) is an American Sufi[1] imam, author, and activist whose stated goal is to improve relations between the Muslim world and the West.[2] From 1983 to 2009, he served as Imam of Masjid al-Farah, a mosque in New York City.[3][4] He has written three books on Islam and its place in contemporary Western society, including What's Right with Islam Is What's Right with America, and founded two non-profit organizations whose stated missions are to enhance the discourse on Islam in society.

He has condemned the 9/11 attacks as un-Islamic and called on the U.S. government to reduce the threat of terrorism by altering its Middle Eastern foreign policy.[5][6] Author Karen Armstrong, among others, has praised him for his attempts to build bridges between the West and the Muslim world.[7] In 2010, Sufi Imam Rauf received national attention for his plans to build Park51, an Islamic Community Center, two blocks from Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan.

Early life

Rauf was born in Kuwait. His father, Egyptian Imam and Sunni scholar Muhammad Abdul Rauf (1917–2004), moved with the younger Rauf to New York City in the 1960s. The elder Rauf assisted with efforts to create the multimillion dollar Islamic Cultural Center of New York, the first building designed as a mosque in New York City, which took 25 years to complete and opened in 1991.[8] His father, Abdul Rauf, was actively involved in the American Civil Rights Movement with Malcolm X.[9] Rauf studied physics at Columbia University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in nuclear engineering in 1969,[8][10] before earning a master's degree in plasma physics at Stevens Institute in Hoboken, New Jersey.[11]

Career

After finishing college, Rauf focused on religion, and became the leader of a New York City mosque.[11] Rauf has written three books on Islam and its place in contemporary Western society, including What's Right with Islam, later printed in paperback with the changed title What's Right with Islam is What's Right with America.[12] Rauf served as imam of Masjid al-Farah in New York City's Tribeca district between 1983 and 2009.[2]

Rauf is a friend of the Nur Ashki Jerrahi Sufi Order, and in 1983, he was appointed prayer leader at their Masjid al-Farah mosque.[13] In 1997, he founded the American Sufi Muslim Society (ASMA),[14] which has since been renamed the American Society for Muslim Advancement. Rauf worked to improve relationships between American society, the American Muslim community and the wider Muslim world. He founded the American Society for Muslim Advancement (originally named the American Sufi Muslim Association.[15])

The organization is now headed by his wife.[2] He is a member of the Council of 100 Leaders (C-100) on West-Islamic World Dialogue at the World Economic Forum (WEF)[16][17] and has received both the Alliance for International Conflict Prevention and Resolution’s[18] annual Alliance Peacebuilder Award and The Interfaith Center of New York’s annual James Parks Morton Interfaith Award (2006).[19][20] He was a major speaker at the 2009 Parliament of the World's Religions in Melbourne, Australia.[21] In 2003, Rauf founded the Cordoba Initiative, another registered nonprofit organization with offices in both New York and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. As CEO of Cordoba Initiative, Rauf coordinates projects that emphasize the bonds that connect the Muslim world and the West.

Post-9/11

Following the September 11 attacks, Rauf conducted training and speeches for the F.B.I. and U.S. State Department.[11] However, some U.S. politicians have voiced concerns about his views,[22][23][24][25] referring to comments Rauf made when interviewed by Ed Bradley on CBS 60 Minutes on September 30, 2001. Rauf's website says he was referring to the US CIA in the 1980s "financing Osama Bin Laden and strengthening the Taliban."[26] Columnist Jonathan Rauch wrote that Rauf gave a "mixed, muddled, muttered" message after 9/11.[27] Nineteen days after the attacks, he told CBS's 60 Minutes that fanaticism and terrorism have no place in Islam. Rauch said that the message was mixed, however, because when then asked if the U.S. deserved the attacks, Rauf answered, "I wouldn't say that the United States deserved what happened. But the United States' policies were an accessory to the crime that happened."[4][27][28][29] When the interviewer asked Rauf how he considered the U.S. to be an accessory, he replied, "because we have been accessory to a lot of innocent lives dying in the world. In fact, in the most direct sense, Osama bin Laden is made in the USA."[6][28][29]

Although this CIA-Osama bin Laden controversy has been brought up by many others, Rudy Giuliani, Peter T. King, Rick Lazio, and Sarah Palin expressed concern about these remarks when discussing Rauf as the driving force behind the Park51 project.[28][30][31]

Speaking at his New York mosque in 2004, Imam Feisal said: "The Islamic method of waging war is not to kill innocent civilians. But it was Christians in World War II who bombed civilians in Dresden and Hiroshima, neither of which were military targets." He also said that there could be little progress in Western-Islamic relations until the U.S. acknowledged backing Middle East dictators and give an "American Culpa" speech to the Muslim world, because there are "an endless supply of angry young Muslim rebels prepared to die for their cause and there [is] no sign of the attacks ending unless there [is] a fundamental change in the world".[32]

During an interview on New York WABC radio in June 2010, Imam Rauf declined to say whether he agreed with the U.S. State Department's designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization. Responding to the question, Rauf said, "I'm not a politician. I try to avoid the issues. The issue of terrorism is a very complex question... I am a peace builder. I will not allow anybody to put me in a position where I am seen by any party in the world as an adversary or as an enemy."[33]

Park51

See also: Park51
Rauf plans to build an Islamic center at this former Burlington Coat Factory, two blocks from Ground Zero.

Sharif El-Gamal, chairman and chief executive of Soho Properties, bought 45 Park Place in July, 2009. "It’s really to provide a place of peace, a place of services and solutions for the community which is always looking for interfaith dialogue."[34] Plans for the project include a mosque which would accommodate 1,000–2,000 Muslims in prayer. Rauf won support from the local Community Board, and received both support and opposition from some 9/11 families, politicians, organizations, academics, and others. The initiative was supported by some Muslim American leaders and organizations, including CAIR, and criticized by some other Muslims such as Sufi mystic Stephen Suleyman Schwartz, director of the Center for Islamic Pluralism in Washington.[35]

Supporters of the project point out that two mosques already have firm roots in Lower Manhattan and that one of them was founded in 1970, pre-dating the World Trade Center.[36] Controversy over the location ensued, and in an interview with Larry King on September 8, 2010 Rauf was asked "...given what you know now, would you have said, listen, let's not do it there? Because it sounds like you're saying in retrospect wouldn't have done it." Rauf answered: "If I knew this would happen, this would cause this kind of pain, I wouldn't have done it. My life has been devoted to peacemaking."[37] On September 12, 2010 on This Week with Christiane Amanpour, Abdul Rauf repeated that if complaints had been raised in December 2009 when the project was front page news in The New York Times, he would have moved it, but at that time there was broad support for it, which did not change until May. He furthermore expressed concern that a move would be used by radicals internationally to claim that "Islam is under attack in the Western world".[38]

On January 14, 2011, Park51 developer Sharif el-Gamal surprised Rauf by unilaterally announcing that Rauf would no longer speak for or raise money for Park51, replacing him with Imam Abdallah Adhami. The split was attributed to a number of differences in vision for the project—Rauf had wanted a larger interfaith center named Cordoba House, but el-Gamal had changed the name to Park51, wanted it to primarily serve Muslims, and to have a local scope. The removal of Rauf from this leadership role raised concerns that the project would be unable to raise the necessary funds to build the planned center.[39] On January 29, Rauf announced that he would move the Cordoba House to a different site if one were offered to him and if the new site was "on par, or even better" than the current Park51 site.[40]

Rental properties

Building at 2206 Central Avenue in Union City, New Jersey, one of several in Hudson County owned by Rauf.

Rauf owns several apartment buildings in Hudson County, New Jersey, including four in Union City, and one in North Bergen in which he lives. By 2010, numerous residents of Ruf's properties in Union City had alleged that those properties have fallen into disrepair over the course of the prior several years, with some of the residents attributing this to time Rauf spends on his activities in Lower Manhattan.[11] On September 8, 2010, Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack, who criticized Rauf as a "slumlord", announced court actions to have a custodial receiver take over management of these properties,[41] and the creation of a Quality of Life Task Force to identify 15 apartment buildings in need of renovations, including Rauf's.[42]

A September 15, 2010 hearing revealed that following a September 7 inspection that determined imminent hazards, police began monitoring two of Rauf's buildings, due to inoperable fire alarms and sprinklers, and failure on Rauf's part to hire a private fire patrol. Judge Thomas Olivieri gave Rauf's lawyers until September 23 to produce plans and evidence of efforts to address these violations, lest Rauf face loss of control over the buildings.[43] On November 9, Judge Olivieri placed the Central Avenue property into temporary custodial receivership, with $7,000 in rent payments held in escrow from Rauf's attorney set aside to pay for the repairs.[44][45]

According to 2010 reports by the Bergen Record, Rauf met with U.S. Senator Robert Menendez around 1991 when Menendez was Mayor of Union City, to request state funds to renovate three of his properties. As a result, Rauf received $80,000 in city funds, $384,000 from the Union City Community Development Agency, $1.3 million in construction loans from Hudson County's Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and $630,900 from the state. Rauf was also sued for fraud in 2008 by his one-time business partner, James Cockinos, over a $250,000 mortgage that Cockinos gave Rauf for his Central Avenue property, ownership of which Rauf then transferred to Sage Developments for a second $650,000 mortgage. Rauf and his wife, Daisy Khan, made payments to Cockinos for 11 years, but ceased after a fire damaged the property. The two parties settled out of court.[11]

Reception

Fareed Zakaria praised Rauf for speaking of "the need for Muslims to live peacefully with all other religions", for emphasizing the commonalities among all faiths, for advocating equal rights for women and opposing laws that in any way punish non-Muslims.[46]

Walter Isaacson, head of The Aspen Institute, says Rauf "has participated at the Aspen Institute in Muslim-Christian-Jewish working groups looking at ways to promote greater religious tolerance. He has consistently denounced radical Islam and terrorism, and promoted a moderate and tolerant Islam."[47]

Views on Hamas

During an interview on New York WABC radio in June 2010, Rauf declined to say whether he agreed with the U.S. State Department's designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization. Responding to the question, Rauf said, "Look, I'm not a politician. The issue of terrorism is a very complex question... I am a peace builder. I will not allow anybody to put me in a position where I am seen by any party in the world as an adversary or as an enemy."[48] Sarah Palin and Lazio criticized his refusal to agree with the assessment of the United States that Hamas is a terrorist organization, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani alleged that Rauf had supported radical causes that sympathized with Islamic terrorism.[37][49][50][50][51][52]

Personal life

Rauf's first wife was an American woman who converted to Islam. Rauf later married a Malaysian woman. Rauf has two children with each of his first two wives. He has been married to his third wife Daisy Khan since the late 1990s.[8] Khan, a native of Kashmir, India is a professional interior architect, but since 2005 has worked full-time for the two non-profit organizations founded by Rauf,[53] and at times functions as his spokesperson. They live in North Bergen, New Jersey.[11]

Selected bibliography

Books

Other writings

References

  1. ↑ Dalrymple, William (August 16, 2010). "The Muslims in the Middle". The New York Times. p. A27. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "People: Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf". American Society for Muslim Advancement. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  3. ↑ Godtalk: travels in spiritual America – Google Books. Books.google.com. June 23, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Eisenberg, Carol (June 8, 2004). "Man in the middle, Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf has devoted himself to rapprochement between the Islamic world and the West". Newsday. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  5. ↑ Frank Walker (March 21, 2004). "West must act to end jihad: Imam". Herald Sun.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Prominent American Muslims denounce terror committed in the name of Islam". 60 Minutes. IslamForToday.com. September 30, 2001. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
  7. ↑ "What's Right with Islam: A New Vision for Muslims and". Amazon.com. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Salazar, Cristian (August 28, 2010), Imam behind NYC mosque faces divisions over center, Newsvine, Associated Press
  9. ↑ "Growing up X: daughter tells about father", PressTV, October 31, 2010
  10. ↑ "In the shadow of no towers", Columbia Magazine, Accessed November 18, 2010.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Tirella, Tricia and Diaz, Lana Rose. "'Ground zero mosque' imam is NB resident, UC property owner" The Union City Reporter; September 5, 2010; Pages 3 and 8
  12. ↑ What's Right with Islam. Books.google.com. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
  13. ↑ Cristian Salazar (August 28, 2010). "Imam behind NYC mosque faces divisions over center". Associated Press. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  14. ↑ Godlas, Dr. Alan, Sufism, the West, and Modernity, University of Georgia. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  15. ↑ Godlas, Dr. Alan, Sufism, the West, and Modernity, University of Georgia. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  16. ↑ (about the) Council of 100 Leaders (C-100) on West-Islamic World Dialogue, World Economic Forum
  17. ↑ Core Group and Members of the Council of 100 Leaders (C-100) on West-Islamic World Dialogue, World Economic Forum
  18. ↑ Alliance for International Conflict Prevention and Resolution
  19. ↑ 2006 Awards, Interfaith Center of New York
  20. ↑ RAuf Biography at Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  21. ↑ 2009 Program, Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions
  22. ↑ Hernandez, Javier C. (July 13, 2010). "Planned Sign of Tolerance Bringing Division Instead". The New York Times. Retrieved August 1, 2010.
  23. ↑ Topousis, Tom (June 19, 2010). "Muslim Imam leading push to build a mosque near Ground Zero wavers on questions about Hamas as a terror group". New York Post. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  24. ↑ Shafey, Mohammed Al (May 18, 2010). "Controversy Rages in NYC over Planned Mosque Near Ground Zero". Asharq Al-Awsat. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  25. ↑ "Staff Bios". Cordoba Initiative. July 31, 2007. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  26. ↑ Frequently Asked Questions The Cordoba Initiative. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Islam Has Been Hijacked, And Only Muslims Can Save It by Jonathan Rauch". Press.uchicago.edu. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Dean, Nick (September 30, 2001). "NY Congressman Calls for Probe of Funding for Mosque Near Ground Zero and Its Promoter". CNS News. Retrieved August 1, 2010.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Monument to Jihad; Ground Zero Mosque No Joke". Toronto Sun. July 27, 2010. Retrieved August 1, 2010.
  30. ↑ Gershman, Jacob (August 2, 2010). "Sides Dig in Over Ground Zero Mosque". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  31. ↑ Jeff Glor (July 20, 2010). "Proposed Mosque Near Ground Zero Stokes Debate". CBS News. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  32. ↑ Frank Walker (21 March 2004). "West must act to end jihad: Imam". Herald Sun.
  33. ↑ Tom Topousis (19 June 2010). "Imam terror error". New York Post.
  34. ↑ Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero, Ralph Blumenthal and Sharaf Mowjood, The New York Times, December 8, 2009
  35. ↑ A mosque at ground zero?
  36. ↑ Barnard, Anne (August 13, 2010). "In Lower Manhattan, 2 Mosques Have Firm Roots". The New York Times. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "CNN.com Transcripts". CNN. September 8, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  38. ↑ "Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf on Islam in America". This Week. ABC News. September 12, 2010
  39. ↑ Vitello, Paul (January 14, 2011). "Amid Rift, Imam’s Role in Islam Center Is Sharply Cut". The New York Times. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
  40. ↑ Tokasz, Jay (January 30, 2011). "Cleric open to new site for Islamic center". The Buffalo News. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
  41. ↑ David Lee Miller (September 14, 2010). "NJ Mayor Blasts Ground Zero Imam". Fox News. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  42. ↑ Diaz, Lana Rose. "Stack puts landlords on notice" The Union City Reporter; September 12, 2010; Pages 3 and 7
  43. ↑ "UC sues landlord and 'Ground Zero Mosque' imam" The Union City Reporter; Pages 2 and 5
  44. ↑ "Receivership granted for neglected buildings in UC", The Union City Reporter, November 14, 2010, Pages 4 and 31
  45. ↑ Mestanza, Jean-Pierre. "Imam's building in receivership", Hudson Dispatch Weekly, November 18, 2010, pages 1 and 7
  46. ↑ Fareed ZakariaAugust 06, 2010 (August 6, 2010). "Fareed Zakaria: Build the Ground Zero Mosque". Newsweek. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
  47. ↑ Stein, Sam (August 17, 2010). "'Ground Zero Mosque' Imam Helped FBI With Counterterrorism Efforts". The Huffington Post.
  48. ↑ Tom Topousis (June 19, 2010). "Imam terror error". New York Post.
  49. ↑ Weaver, Carolyn (July 22, 2010). "Muslim Group Faces Opposition Near New York's Ground Zero". Voice of America. Retrieved August 1, 2010.
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 Baribeau, Simone; Levitt, David; Johnston, Nicholas; Servetah, Stacie; Schoifet, Mark (August 3, 2010). "Ground Zero Mosque Plans Move Forward After Key Vote". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
  51. ↑ Haberman, Maggie (August 2, 2010). "Rudy: GZ Mosque is a 'desecration,' 'decent Muslims' won't be offended". Politico. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
  52. ↑ Matthews, Karen; Fouhy, Beth (August 3, 2010). "NYC panel clears way for mosque near ground zero". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
  53. ↑ "People: Daisy Khan". American Society for Muslim Advancement. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  54. ↑ Book Review: What's right with Islam IS What's Right with America by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf
  55. ↑ "Seruan Azan Dari Puing WTC: Dakwah Islam di Jantung Amerika Pasca 9/11 – Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf". Mizan.Com. Retrieved August 14, 2010.

External links