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Killing in The Name Of G-D



By Noel Jones



October 21, 2013
Jacksonville, Florida


Congregation Ahavath Chesed



Dubbed “an evening of straight talk” with national public radio’s The “G-D” Squad. Featuring Rabbi Joshua Leif , congregation Ahavath Chesed.(Senior Rabbi) , here in Jacksonville Rabbi Leif serves on the boards of ONEJAX, JCCI, and Community Hospice. Dr. Kyle Reese, senior Pastor. Hendricks Ave.,Baptist church, Kyle serves on the board of Associated Baptist Press, as well as in various leadership roles within the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Kyle serves on the board of OneJax, San Marco Rotary. Father Nick Louh from St John The Divine Greek orthodox church and Dr Parvez Ahmed From The Islamic center of North East Florida , This forum was moderated by Melissa Ross Of National public Radio’s “First coast connect”.


The panel of religious leaders were introduced by National public radio host Melissa Ross. The topic started with the definition of Fundamentalism as the topic was based around fundamentalist killing in the name of “G-D” it was stated that there are some positive and negative things happening in the middle east currently, subject of mass persecution of Christians, Father Louh opened with a brief snippet concerning the mass exodus of Christians from the Muslim world. In this ‘light’ one observer from the floor at end of program made a statement about how “Christians were more acceptable to the Muslim faith”, stating that the Muslims were not as willing to turn the other cheek so to speak as Christians, she also stated she did not know much about Quran, in reply to this the panelist Dr Parvez Ahmed corrected her, the panel seem to maintain a consensus about the tolerance of religion in the city of Jacksonville Florida as the men on the panel host a weekly radio show on national public radio called the “G-d” squad.


Concerning Jihad: Dr Ahmed said.” conflicts are not religious conflicts they are political. People look at Islam through the narrative of the extremist, to define Islam it is a struggle” revealing a fact of fundamentalist extremisms. Rabbi Leif pointed out after he was asked the question (when he looks at Israel’s role in world conflict and affairs concerning the subject of the evening) “I can not speak for Israel” then he spoke on Jew on Jew crime in the case of the gunman Yigal Amir,a Jewish Israeli student in the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. So it was witnessed a volley of calls and responses among the seemly unified clergy on the subject, with Rabbi Leif interjecting control points and adding a comical air when he sensed the need, the audience were totally under control of the panel directed by Rabbi Leif in his own ‘Temple’. a man from the floor stated the sincerity of the question he was about to pose to the panel;” when we turn on the TV and we see all The conflict in middle east etc., who should we side with” one of the Christian ministers replied “we should chose the side of those who share our values.” pastor Reese spoke out and said.” not all fundamentalist are extreamist; but all extremist are fundamentalist” at one point I heard the Rabbi say.” if it wasn’t for Jews there would be no Christianity ”one of the Christian ministers spoke of Christian values, the Rabbi in his red strip bowtie replied” American values are Jewish values” in one accord the panel agreed upon the theory of separation of church and state. Again said the rabbi “ the ethos of our nation takes into account Jewish values” at one point the Rabbi interjected “AL-Qaeda was born in the prisons of Egypt”. The Rabbi said: “if we are not willing to speak out loud up front then it’s too late, this stops things from happening” then he stated retrospectively “it was wonderful to hear” “ I hate Ben laden, he has ruined our religion” To the statement made by a person he once heard speak out, he said “That is good it should be done in the Jewish community as well” then a woman rose to testify, about her growing up in backwoods south never seeing a black person…(at this moment a Christian preacher of the panel was turning blood red)… and when she did get to know blacks she learned different than the way she was raised, her point was to expand your horizon learn about ‘others’ be tolerant … Which reminds me, when I and my journalist companion, the Reverend -Tony Wilder sr. reached stage two of the registration phase of the forum seeing the pens in my front shirt pocket along with a small legal pad the receptionist said sarcastically “you must be an engineer” I replied “no. I’m a journalist”.



A highlight of the evening came from the ‘floor‘. a FMU (Former Muslims united) member or advocate. After a long wait got a chance to speak his mind, to the objection of audience members and the panel, his rant was against or directed to DR. Parvez Ahmed, who we found to be quiet a figure of controversy, which explained his demeanor on the panel, as appearing pro Islam and then agreeing or being in seemly harmony with The other panel members (The “G-D” squad) the stranger was escorted out the door, where outside we received the following information.


Note: “The Islamic center of N.E. Florida, where Parvez Ahmed, the speaker represent Islam is a board member… sells books and literature by Maududi’s at their outreach table at the Beach boulevard flea market manned by a paid lay leader member Azziz Abdullah. Parvez Ahmed, who holds the position of human rights commissioner has repeatedly refused to sign :The pledge for religious freedom” a document acknowledging the rights of former Muslims to leave Islam without fear of harm, persecution of death. You would think a true advocate for human rights, like Parvez Ahmed would rush to sign such a document… but you would be wrong. Parvez Ahmed, coined the same phrase of a Muslim brotherhood front group, Muslim political action committee (MPAC) and said “I do not endorse organizations” this was quite disingenuous as FMU was not seeking an endorsement of their organization… But for leader Islamic leader to denounce current Islamic laws being taught in the U.S. calling for the killing of Apostates. FMU has since put a disclaimer on their “pledge for religious freedom” stating that signing the pledge is in no way an endorsement of FMU. Yet Parvez Ahmed refused to sign this document.

The reader can research the subject of Apostasy at the following address:

http://formermuslimsunited.org/apostasy-from-islam/fatwa-on-apostasy/


“Israel is the model in the middle east setting a good example”
- Rabbi Joshua Leif