Islamophobia, Anti-Semitism, and the problem of compelled speech
My encounter with these critics was unsettling, and meant to be. In retrospect, I see a certain irony in the air of righteousness that permeated their attitude. Because afterward I did a little research into the background of Patel's umbrella organization, Islamic Relief Worldwide, whose presenting purpose-and actual activity, to be fair-is directed at fund-raising for the alleviation of global poverty. All power to them for that. But that is not all they do.
I invite you to consult this
exhaustively researched and meticulously annotated report on Islamic Relief, drawn up by the extremely
reliable Middle Eastern Forum. It is an illuminating document. Here is a
statement from the report's conclusion that struck me as most pertinent to the
moral right of any representative of that organization to stand in judgment of
me: