A Westchester County couple has accused Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf of using more than $3 million in donations to the Cordoba Initiative and the American Society for Muslim Advancement for personal purposes. Credit: Creative Commons/World Economic Forum.
What’s the difference between a Catholic priest and an Imam? Although it may sound like the opening line of a joke, both these individuals actually do have a lot in common. For both Catholics and Muslims, priests and imams are prayer leaders, spiritual guides, mentors, teachers and so much more. Even outside of their congregations, they command respect from all who meet them because they wear the badge of religious leadership.
So when someone like that does something unethical or even criminal, we are left with a bad taste in our mouth and a collective cringe. Catholicism has, unfortunately, been dogged with child abuse scandals for a long time; scandals that have plagued and wounded everyday Catholics who aren’t able to see the priesthood in the same light ever again. As a Muslim I often sympathized but hardly ever empathized. Yesterday’s report from the New York Daily News of former Ground Zero Mosque advocate Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf allegedly stealing funds has changed that perception forever, leaving me – and countless other Muslims – reeling with shock. A person viewed by many as the moderate face of Islam in America, so different from the radical Muslim clergy of the Middle East and South East Asia, the Imam was the last person I would have expected to be… like everyone else.
For in reality although we are all human, clergy sometimes has to be more than that. Whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish or anything else, those who lead us in prayer must be the first to uphold in their own lives the values they teach from the pulpit. Those who guide us in spiritual and religious matters must be an embodiment of those matters before they can expect us to follow them. Despite being a Sufi, Imam Feisal seemed to represent moderate Muslims from all denominations in that he promoted values of tolerance, love and brotherhood. To be smeared with an allegation such as this, regardless of its truth – could deal a huge blow to the rest of us who are trying to show Islam in a positive light. It was one thing to protest terrorism by saying, those madmen aren’t really Muslims, but how can we say the same about an Imam? Surely he does represent us, doesn’t he?
Saadia Faruqi is an interfaith liaison for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, and editor of the Interfaith Houston blog. She is actively involved in interfaith coalition building in the Greater Houston community. Most recently she has led a cultural sensitivity training for the Houston Police Department and continues to offer Islam in America presentations at local academic and religious institutions. In addition to her own blog, she writes for the Houston Community Newspapers and Religious Freedom USA.
It was also published in the Huff Post, UPI and Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf is a target of a law suit by donors who leveled that accusation. So I suggest you provide a more complete picture of the source of this accusations. i’m no fan of the NY Daily News, but they the source of dishonest scoop. I am sure this will all get straightened out in civil court. Next time you post her, i am sure you will provide a more complete picture to your readers and followers. I respect clergy from all religions, but only when they’re honest.
Saadia, I can relate to how it feels when your faith appears tarnished by the acts of a leader of the faith. I can’t speak for the perspectives Muslims may have, but as someone raised Catholic – I hear questions all the time about how I feel about Priests who did bad things (or as a member of the greater generic “Christianity” when scandal befalls other Ministers)… I think its a fair but naieve perception that our spiritual leaders somehow be better human beings than the rest of us. I contend, that’s almost impossible. I mean, sure, I don’t expect them to harm children or swidle people out of millions and those people SHOULD be removed from their positions. But, at a more basic level they are as human and prone to error and sin as any other human being is. I consider their job is to teach us the scriptures and guide us towards the REAL/ONLY example of perfection — God. I had a conversation with a friend of mine who says she does not go to church anymore because some of the people are rude, or judgemental, or what-have-you. And, its hurtful when someone is less-than-welcoming. But, I question why she is letting the sins of others shift her away from her own journey with God? The church is for the seeking, not the perfect.I love that Jesus said “he who is without sin should cast the first stone”… We should not tolerate grevious or illegal activity (and this story appears to fall into that category), that’s not what I am saying, but we should forgive some of the stumbles of a the humans in the church – at all levels – and even value that one of the spiritual lessons they can teach and model is repentance… To make a mistake and correct the path, right the wrongs and make peace with God. That personal exerience is what gives their leadership credibility.
The most interesting ting about this blog is tat the author,Saadia Faruqi, has not been back defend his claim that the Daily News exclusively targeted Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf
Mr Faruqi is still absent a response
Sammy,
I’m sorry about my absence, I’m working on several projects. I’m uncertain about your question but I’ll answer as best as I can. The news about the lawsuit was published in several papers, NY Daily News just being one of them. If you don’t like them as a source you can read the same story on other more reputable publications. Yes, it’s an accusation right now, and of course the Imam could be innocent. But if you will read my post you’ll see that the argument I’m making is regardless of the fact that the accusation may or may not be true. I’m making the point that religious clergy have a responsibility to us because we look up to them, and they represent us to the outside world. As an interfaith liaison I spend a lot of time and effort trying to convince people that Islam is good, not all Muslims are terrorists, etc. and then an Imam does something that puts the work of people like me in jeopardy. I can defend Islam against terrorist but not against Imams who should know better. Plus Imam Feisal was in a unique position of being liked and respected by very influential people in politics, and even a hint of scandal may make him untouchable, thus hurting the cause of moderate islam in America.I know he’s human but not beyond reproach.
“To be smeared with an allegation such as this, regardless of its truth”
These are the words that caught my eye from your post. You are suggesting here that he is an innocent visit of a smear campaign, But his accusers are actual donors who placed their trust him. If the allegations are substantiated through the courts, it his him who hurting the the members of his clergy. The Islamic Center is a high profile project. But the civil process will play itself out.
Personally I rarely give money to any religious cause. I have no idea whose pockets will be lining,.