Free Muslim Coalition Against Terrorism
Encyclopedia
Free Muslim Coalition Against Terrorism (FMCAT) is an Islamic organization, with headquarters in Washington, D.C., made up of American Muslims and Arabs dedicated to taking a stand against terrorism
. FMCAT is also known by the shorthand name of the "Free Muslims Coalition" or an even shorter name of "Free Muslims". It is dedicated to combating extremism and support for terrorism among extremists.
It was formed in May 2004 by Kamal Nawash
, a lawyer and Palestinian
immigrant. Nawash has appeared on CNN
, Aljazeerah, and Fox News Channel
shows including O'Reilly Factor, as well as on Al-Arabiya and others.
In June 2005, Nawash’s work with the Free Muslims was recognized by the U.S. government when the White House
appointed him to represent the U.S. before the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Nawash addressed leaders of Europe and the former Soviet republics in a speech on tolerance at an international conference in Spain.
In addition, in March 2006 Nawash was invited to Jerusalem to advance an alternative approach to solving the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. In summary, Nawash argued that in light of the passionate claims both Palestinians and Israelis have for the same territory the only solution for them is to become equal citizens in a confederacy
rather than splitting the territory into two sovereign states.
In a CNN
interview in December 2006, he said:
Commenting in June 2009 on the radical Islam that some terrorists practice, Nawash said: "It's a ridiculous form of Islam". He noted that some converts, particularly those who have been incarcerated, practice "the most extreme version of the religion", and have their own personal and political grievances.
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
. FMCAT is also known by the shorthand name of the "Free Muslims Coalition" or an even shorter name of "Free Muslims". It is dedicated to combating extremism and support for terrorism among extremists.
It was formed in May 2004 by Kamal Nawash
Kamal Nawash
Kamal Nawash is a Muslim Palestinian-born American lawyer, working for the Nawash Law Office in Washington, D.C.Nawash was the first Arab American and Muslim to be nominated to run for the Virginia State Senate , which he did as a Republican...
, a lawyer and Palestinian
Palestinian people
The Palestinian people, also referred to as Palestinians or Palestinian Arabs , are an Arabic-speaking people with origins in Palestine. Despite various wars and exoduses, roughly one third of the world's Palestinian population continues to reside in the area encompassing the West Bank, the Gaza...
immigrant. Nawash has appeared on CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, Aljazeerah, and Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel , often called Fox News, is a cable and satellite television news channel owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation...
shows including O'Reilly Factor, as well as on Al-Arabiya and others.
Antiterrorism focus
In May 2005, the Free Muslims organized the first ever Muslim-led rally against terrorism. The rally was endorsed by more than 80 organizations and received substantial media coverage. Furthering this focus on terrorism, Muslims can report suspicious activity on the FMCAT website.In June 2005, Nawash’s work with the Free Muslims was recognized by the U.S. government when the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
appointed him to represent the U.S. before the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Nawash addressed leaders of Europe and the former Soviet republics in a speech on tolerance at an international conference in Spain.
In addition, in March 2006 Nawash was invited to Jerusalem to advance an alternative approach to solving the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. In summary, Nawash argued that in light of the passionate claims both Palestinians and Israelis have for the same territory the only solution for them is to become equal citizens in a confederacy
Confederation
A confederation in modern political terms is a permanent union of political units for common action in relation to other units. Usually created by treaty but often later adopting a common constitution, confederations tend to be established for dealing with critical issues such as defense, foreign...
rather than splitting the territory into two sovereign states.
In a CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
interview in December 2006, he said:
After 9/11 ... unfortunately, many of the Muslim organizations in [the U.S.], rather than recognize that we have is a problem with extremism and trying to deal with it, since we are the only ones who can deal with it, instead they took the role of victimization and took the role of ... of calling anyone who notices the obvious, that we have a problem with extremism, they accuse that person of being anti-Islam if they mention that. I think human beings in general would rather talk about how the world is against them, as opposed to talk about hey, we need to look inward. We have a problem.
Commenting in June 2009 on the radical Islam that some terrorists practice, Nawash said: "It's a ridiculous form of Islam". He noted that some converts, particularly those who have been incarcerated, practice "the most extreme version of the religion", and have their own personal and political grievances.