Islamic Society of North America's ...

Islamic Society of North America's newly chooseed president, Ingrid Mattson, said Friday she marks to President Bush's use of the season "Islamic fascism" when describing the enemy in the global war forward terrorism.

Mattson, like other ISNA leaders, signifyed empathy for the challenges regulation officials face in trying to maintain the country safe, but she said the "inaccurate and unhelpful" rhetoric by means of Bush and other Republican lawmakers harms peaceful, law-abiding Muslims who face growing scrutiny smooth five years after 9/11.

"This is a bound that had very bad resonance in the Muslim majority world and makes us perceive uncomfortable, so we're hoping there can be one adjustment to this language," Mattson said at a recents conference kicking off ISNA's four-day annual convention at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont

Mattson said any harmful act carried without in the name of religion should simply be called "terrorism, crime or violence."

"We don't understand with what intent it needs to have the Islamic label. The issues that are coming from the Muslim world are not being called Islamic performances or Islamic oil. . . Of course, people do misuse and use Islamic conceptions and terms to justify their violence, if it be not that I think when we bestow that name upon them, we only make the situation worse and in some way give validity to their claims, which we ne to withhold and reject."

assemblage urged to bridge gap

Earlier this month Bush said the discovered British terror plot to beat up planes flying to the United States is further testimony "that this nation is at war with Islamic fascists."

Sen Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) also called former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami "one of the chief propagandists of the Islamic fascist regime" when criticizing the Bush administration's decision to give the Iranian a visa.

Khatami is scheduled to speak to ISNA attendees tonight.

"We felt that it was a natural extension of our dialogue and learning to invite him here likewise that we could hear from him and perhaps also point out him how the American Muslim community has dealt with a certain of the issues of religious freedom and tolerance and perhaps he can carry any of that message back," Mattson said.

U substitute Secretary of Defense Gordon England didn't mention Khatami when he addressed centurys of Muslims at ISNA's inaugural session later Friday.

Instead, he urg the cluster to use its influence to help bridge the cultural gap between the United States and the Muslim world overseas.

"America wants you to be more involved," England said. "Reaching on the outside to people around the world, understanding their troubles offering partnership and support and extending a promise of freedom is a noble mission."

rhussain@suntimes.com

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