: FBI Director Speaks To Muslims Despite Protests

At this weekend’s 11th annual American Muslim Council convention in Washington, DC, FBI Director Robert Mueller rejected calls to cancel his keynote speech to the group Friday amid protest from pro-Israel activists and conservative lawmakers, saying that it is “critically important” to build ties with the American Muslim community. The four-day conference, which aims to educate Muslims about working within the American political system, will culminate with a lobbying session on Capitol Hill. Groups such as the Zionist Organization of America accuse individuals who have worked with the group of espousing support for Hamas and Hezbollah. “That’s a pack of lies,” said Faiz Rehman, the council’s spokesman. “We have never supported any terrorist act or organization.”

Shahed Amanullah is editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com.