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New York State assemblyman Rory Lancman has called for the CAIR lawyer representing the ‘Flying Imams’ to resign from New York City’s Human Right Commission. Mr. Mohammedi filed suit on behalf of the imams against the “John Doe” passenger who reported their suspicious activities. As you read the excerpts from the following Washington Times story, wonder along with me whether Mr. Mohammedi’s prejudice favors terrorists in general or just his foolish clients:

The lawyer representing six imams who are suing an airline and unknown “John Doe” passengers should be removed from his position as a New York City commissioner on human rights, said a state assemblyman.

“When it comes to suspicious or potentially terrorist activity, New Yorkers are encouraged to say something if they see something,” said Rory I. Lancman, assemblyman from Queens. “Before they do so, I think they have a right to know that they won’t be sued by their own human rights commissioner, Omar Mohammedi,” said Mr. Lancman. Mr. Lancman has asked Mayor Michael Bloomberg to demand that Mr. Mohammedi to resign his seat.

Stu Loeser, Mr. Bloomberg’s spokesman, said Mr. Mohammedi is an unpaid employee on the commission and has the right to choose his clients. Mr. Bloomberg in 2002 appointed Mr. Mohammedi to the commission, which enforces the city’s human rights laws, holds hearings and investigates complaints of racial, religious and ethnic discrimination. It also is empowered to make recommendations to the mayor.
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The imams say they were discriminated against because of their religion, and that bias prompted passengers to wrongly report the imams had asked for unneeded seat-belt extenders, moved about the cabin and made critical remarks about President Bush and the war in Iraq, or that they sat in a seating pattern that resembled the formation taken by September 11 hijackers.

Mr. Loeser said “the mayor supports protecting the people’s rights to report suspicious activities, including the bill sponsored by his good friend, Representative Pete King.”

Mr. King, New York Republican and ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, is pushing legislation that has received initial House approval to protect people from being sued if they report suspicious behavior that might be linked to terrorism. Mr. Lancman said he will introduce similar legislation in the New York State House.

Mr. Mohammedi also is quoted as saying Mr. Lancman should quit, “manipulating the emotions of the public to target a segment of the community.”

The nineteen hijackers indiscriminently murdered men, women, and children of all races and religions on 9/11. If anything, our nation’s aviation security measures have strained to refrain from targeting the typical terrorist, relatively young male Muslims, ranging in age from the early twenties to mid-30’s. I have yet to read where the 6 imams were subject to additional screening prior to boarding the November 20, 2006, US Airways Flight 300.

The formal prayers in the gate area and louder than conversational Allahu Akbar’s as they boarded surely brought attention the 6 imams could have avoided. Yet it was a combination of switched seats, seating reminiscent of the 9/11 hijackers, three imams who are not obese requesting seatbelt extenders with buckles that could be used as weapons, and anti-Bush administration conversations aboard the plane that alarmed passengers. Those reported observations, taken together, worried the crew and a pilot who is responsible by law for safety so the plane was held for further security screening.

Who was manipulating the emotions aboard Flight 300? Having since heard and seen several of the imams speaking in public, it seems to me that men with Middle-Eastern features and accents drew a lot of attention to themselves that night.

While licensed lawyers rightfully advocate for their clients, launching what appears to be an exploratory and intimidating bigot hunt by lawsuit is what brought Human Right Commission Member Omar Mohammedi attention he could have avoided.

Did I mention the 6 imams’ legal bills are being paid by CAIR after it received millions of dollars in donations from the Middle East? That money was allegedly meant to promote understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims. Unfortunately, some of it had to be used to file lawsuits instead. Shame on me for almost ignoring the obvious.

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