I’m just taking it in for a second it was 5:30 in the morning Pacific time in
was 5:30 in the morning Pacific time in
was 5:30 in the morning Pacific time in Los Angeles California in the United
Los Angeles California in the United
Los Angeles California in the United States where I live and I was sleeping
States where I live and I was sleeping
States where I live and I was sleeping as you should be at 5:30 in the morning
as you should be at 5:30 in the morning
as you should be at 5:30 in the morning the phone rang and it was my boss and I
the phone rang and it was my boss and I
the phone rang and it was my boss and I was confused as to why he was calling me
was confused as to why he was calling me
was confused as to why he was calling me so early because I wasn’t going to be on
so early because I wasn’t going to be on
so early because I wasn’t going to be on the radio until 7 o’clock that evening
the radio until 7 o’clock that evening
the radio until 7 o’clock that evening and he said nothing else except turn on
and he said nothing else except turn on
and he said nothing else except turn on your television as I walked down the
your television as I walked down the
your television as I walked down the hall my stomach felt queasy what was I
hall my stomach felt queasy what was I
hall my stomach felt queasy what was I about to see when I turned on the
about to see when I turned on the
about to see when I turned on the television I saw a plane stuck in a huge
television I saw a plane stuck in a huge
television I saw a plane stuck in a huge skyscraper in New York City and then I
skyscraper in New York City and then I
skyscraper in New York City and then I saw another hit a second tower and I saw
saw another hit a second tower and I saw
saw another hit a second tower and I saw things coming out of the building and
things coming out of the building and
things coming out of the building and when I looked very very closely
when I looked very very closely
when I looked very very closely I noticed those weren’t things they were
I noticed those weren’t things they were
I noticed those weren’t things they were people they were people jumping from
people they were people jumping from
people they were people jumping from these towers the Twin Towers the date
these towers the Twin Towers the date
these towers the Twin Towers the date was 9/11 the first thing I thought was
was 9/11 the first thing I thought was
was 9/11 the first thing I thought was despite the shock and horror which was
despite the shock and horror which was
despite the shock and horror which was before my eyes on a Thursday morning
before my eyes on a Thursday morning
before my eyes on a Thursday morning was I felt terrible for those people who
was I felt terrible for those people who
was I felt terrible for those people who had been in so much pain they ended
had been in so much pain they ended
had been in so much pain they ended their lives and then in the hours to
their lives and then in the hours to
their lives and then in the hours to come the phone calls that the families
come the phone calls that the families
come the phone calls that the families and friends would receive that would
and friends would receive that would
and friends would receive that would forever change their lives but then I
forever change their lives but then I
forever change their lives but then I said something I said please God don’t
said something I said please God don’t
said something I said please God don’t have it be a Muslim who did this now
have it be a Muslim who did this now
have it be a Muslim who did this now those of you looking at me and those of
those of you looking at me and those of
those of you looking at me and those of you don’t know me you’re probably
you don’t know me you’re probably
you don’t know me you’re probably wondering why a 5 foot 2 white chick
wondering why a 5 foot 2 white chick
wondering why a 5 foot 2 white chick from Los Angeles California
from Los Angeles California
from Los Angeles California who has a Jewish father and a Christian
who has a Jewish father and a Christian
who has a Jewish father and a Christian mother would ever say such a thing
mother would ever say such a thing
mother would ever say such a thing whatever things such a thing why would I
whatever things such a thing why would I
whatever things such a thing why would I care right well for that I need to take
care right well for that I need to take
care right well for that I need to take you back I’m from Boston Massachusetts
you back I’m from Boston Massachusetts
you back I’m from Boston Massachusetts originally I did my bachelor’s degree
originally I did my bachelor’s degree
originally I did my bachelor’s degree undergraduate at Northeastern University
undergraduate at Northeastern University
undergraduate at Northeastern University and I attended the master’s program at
and I attended the master’s program at
and I attended the master’s program at Emerson College and I very much wanted
Emerson College and I very much wanted
Emerson College and I very much wanted to work in radio and television and when
to work in radio and television and when
to work in radio and television and when I got out of college Boston has so many
I got out of college Boston has so many
I got out of college Boston has so many colleges and universities they’re just
colleges and universities they’re just
colleges and universities they’re just not we’re not enough jobs to go around
not we’re not enough jobs to go around
not we’re not enough jobs to go around for the number of people graduating
for the number of people graduating
for the number of people graduating including me
including me
including me so I was lucky enough because I found a
so I was lucky enough because I found a
so I was lucky enough because I found a man who believed in me and said if you
man who believed in me and said if you
man who believed in me and said if you move to Miami Florida I’ve got a job for
move to Miami Florida I’ve got a job for
move to Miami Florida I’ve got a job for you so I packed up my car and I moved
you so I packed up my car and I moved
you so I packed up my car and I moved 1836 miles away from my family and my
1836 miles away from my family and my
1836 miles away from my family and my friends and what I had known in his home
friends and what I had known in his home
friends and what I had known in his home to Miami I was in the elevator in Miami
to Miami I was in the elevator in Miami
to Miami I was in the elevator in Miami because I’m gonna date myself just a bit
because I’m gonna date myself just a bit
because I’m gonna date myself just a bit but at the pool they were filming
but at the pool they were filming
but at the pool they were filming television show that was very famous in
television show that was very famous in
television show that was very famous in the United States many years ago called
the United States many years ago called
the United States many years ago called Miami Vice did anybody ever heard of
Miami Vice did anybody ever heard of
Miami Vice did anybody ever heard of that show here anybody at all all the
that show here anybody at all all the
that show here anybody at all all the Americans and Canadians and Europeans so
Americans and Canadians and Europeans so
Americans and Canadians and Europeans so there were going to be two movie stars
there were going to be two movie stars
there were going to be two movie stars at the pool and my roommate and I are
at the pool and my roommate and I are
at the pool and my roommate and I are like let’s go downstairs to the pool and
like let’s go downstairs to the pool and
like let’s go downstairs to the pool and see movie stars so I got on the elevator
see movie stars so I got on the elevator
see movie stars so I got on the elevator on the fifth floor where I live and the
on the fifth floor where I live and the
on the fifth floor where I live and the elevator went to do to do down to pee
elevator went to do to do down to pee
elevator went to do to do down to pee quickly to the pool level I was hoping
quickly to the pool level I was hoping
quickly to the pool level I was hoping and then it stopped on to and I’m
and then it stopped on to and I’m
and then it stopped on to and I’m thinking who dares to interrupt my
thinking who dares to interrupt my
thinking who dares to interrupt my voyage to Hollywood and at 2:00 the
voyage to Hollywood and at 2:00 the
voyage to Hollywood and at 2:00 the doors opened and there I saw a dare I
doors opened and there I saw a dare I
doors opened and there I saw a dare I say a man with the most beautiful eyes I
say a man with the most beautiful eyes I
say a man with the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen in my life that man and I
had ever seen in my life that man and I
had ever seen in my life that man and I became friends I saw him around the
became friends I saw him around the
became friends I saw him around the apartment building we became friends and
apartment building we became friends and
apartment building we became friends and I assumed because I was living in Miami
I assumed because I was living in Miami
I assumed because I was living in Miami Florida that he was Hispanic and he was
Florida that he was Hispanic and he was
Florida that he was Hispanic and he was Cuban but he told me that he was Muslim
Cuban but he told me that he was Muslim
Cuban but he told me that he was Muslim Muslim hmm Muslim that means that he
Muslim hmm Muslim that means that he
Muslim hmm Muslim that means that he believes in Islam the religion of Islam
believes in Islam the religion of Islam
believes in Islam the religion of Islam he practices
he practices
he practices Flom I know some Muslims yeah well there
Flom I know some Muslims yeah well there
Flom I know some Muslims yeah well there was a bee who I went to college with in
was a bee who I went to college with in
was a bee who I went to college with in Jordan and Muhammad who was from the
Jordan and Muhammad who was from the
Jordan and Muhammad who was from the Emirates in college and that girl who
Emirates in college and that girl who
Emirates in college and that girl who lived down the hall and wear that thing
lived down the hall and wear that thing
lived down the hall and wear that thing on her head it was from Iran yeah I know
on her head it was from Iran yeah I know
on her head it was from Iran yeah I know some was looms 3uc because at that time
some was looms 3uc because at that time
some was looms 3uc because at that time of my life like most Americans I not
of my life like most Americans I not
of my life like most Americans I not only didn’t know many Muslims I knew
only didn’t know many Muslims I knew
only didn’t know many Muslims I knew nothing about Islam oh let me correct
nothing about Islam oh let me correct
nothing about Islam oh let me correct that I am ashamed to say I was extremely
that I am ashamed to say I was extremely
that I am ashamed to say I was extremely ignorant about the religion of Islam see
ignorant about the religion of Islam see
ignorant about the religion of Islam see I apologize in advance but at that time
I apologize in advance but at that time
I apologize in advance but at that time like most Americans I believed about
like most Americans I believed about
like most Americans I believed about Islam that it was a religion that was
Islam that it was a religion that was
Islam that it was a religion that was for countries really far away from mine
for countries really far away from mine
for countries really far away from mine and where I lived it was a religion of
and where I lived it was a religion of
and where I lived it was a religion of very primitive people who lived in the
very primitive people who lived in the
very primitive people who lived in the desert road camels every man had four
desert road camels every man had four
desert road camels every man had four wives women were extremely oppressed
wives women were extremely oppressed
wives women were extremely oppressed honor killings were a weekly practice as
honor killings were a weekly practice as
honor killings were a weekly practice as well as child marriages there was
well as child marriages there was
well as child marriages there was nothing positive about this religion and
nothing positive about this religion and
nothing positive about this religion and therefore about the people as a feminist
therefore about the people as a feminist
therefore about the people as a feminist this bothered me I was certain that
this bothered me I was certain that
this bothered me I was certain that every woman who’s Muslim and every woman
every woman who’s Muslim and every woman
every woman who’s Muslim and every woman who covered herself whether was cheval
who covered herself whether was cheval
who covered herself whether was cheval Khamis with a burqa hijab was a Preston
Khamis with a burqa hijab was a Preston
Khamis with a burqa hijab was a Preston was being forced to do so and as a
was being forced to do so and as a
was being forced to do so and as a feminist this bothered me so Americans
feminist this bothered me so Americans
feminist this bothered me so Americans had a mindset about Islam and I as an
had a mindset about Islam and I as an
had a mindset about Islam and I as an American I shared in that prejudice
American I shared in that prejudice
American I shared in that prejudice there’s negative stereotypes those false
there’s negative stereotypes those false
there’s negative stereotypes those false stereotypes and the ignorance let me
stereotypes and the ignorance let me
stereotypes and the ignorance let me tell you why I think and I’m not making
tell you why I think and I’m not making
tell you why I think and I’m not making excuses for but why I think many
excuses for but why I think many
excuses for but why I think many Americans feel that way at least felt
Americans feel that way at least felt
Americans feel that way at least felt that way for decades the United States
that way for decades the United States
that way for decades the United States has been an extremely close and strong
has been an extremely close and strong
has been an extremely close and strong ally to Israel giving billions of
ally to Israel giving billions of
ally to Israel giving billions of dollars and weapons they are allies and
dollars and weapons they are allies and
dollars and weapons they are allies and then Americans learn that Israelis good
then Americans learn that Israelis good
then Americans learn that Israelis good Israelis Jewish Israeli allies allies
Israelis Jewish Israeli allies allies
Israelis Jewish Israeli allies allies and Jewish good Palestinians not our
and Jewish good Palestinians not our
and Jewish good Palestinians not our allies Muslims Islam bad
allies Muslims Islam bad
allies Muslims Islam bad you follow me and although it’s not true
you follow me and although it’s not true
you follow me and although it’s not true and and I not a nice way of thinking it
and and I not a nice way of thinking it
and and I not a nice way of thinking it is the way and was the way of much of
is the way and was the way of much of
is the way and was the way of much of American thinking but that was all about
American thinking but that was all about
American thinking but that was all about to change for me because that friend I
to change for me because that friend I
to change for me because that friend I had made with the beautiful eyes
had made with the beautiful eyes
had made with the beautiful eyes he asked me if I’d like to meet his
he asked me if I’d like to meet his
he asked me if I’d like to meet his family and I said sure I could add a few
family and I said sure I could add a few
family and I said sure I could add a few more Muslims to the list of those I knew
more Muslims to the list of those I knew
more Muslims to the list of those I knew and I had my very silly ideas would they
and I had my very silly ideas would they
and I had my very silly ideas would they throw a burka over me a minute I got in
throw a burka over me a minute I got in
throw a burka over me a minute I got in the door did they have a scarf handy to
the door did they have a scarf handy to
the door did they have a scarf handy to wrap around my head with their furniture
wrap around my head with their furniture
wrap around my head with their furniture did I have to sit on the floor was I
did I have to sit on the floor was I
did I have to sit on the floor was I gonna have to pray five times with the
gonna have to pray five times with the
gonna have to pray five times with the food be good what I liked it would it be
food be good what I liked it would it be
food be good what I liked it would it be spicy what I have to eat it with my
spicy what I have to eat it with my
spicy what I have to eat it with my hands how shallow I Leslie Marshall was
hands how shallow I Leslie Marshall was
hands how shallow I Leslie Marshall was at that time but that is truly what went
at that time but that is truly what went
at that time but that is truly what went through my mind quite the contrary
through my mind quite the contrary
through my mind quite the contrary these were not primitive people this
these were not primitive people this
these were not primitive people this friend’s parents are both physicians
friend’s parents are both physicians
friend’s parents are both physicians highly educated his father the general
highly educated his father the general
highly educated his father the general surgeon his mother at ob/gyn his family
surgeon his mother at ob/gyn his family
surgeon his mother at ob/gyn his family was warm gracious and kind they didn’t
was warm gracious and kind they didn’t
was warm gracious and kind they didn’t force me to dress anyway they sat me on
force me to dress anyway they sat me on
force me to dress anyway they sat me on a chair gave me delicious food and a
a chair gave me delicious food and a
a chair gave me delicious food and a fork to eat it with they were not trying
fork to eat it with they were not trying
fork to eat it with they were not trying to impress their religion on me they
to impress their religion on me they
to impress their religion on me they were warm and gracious as hosts should
were warm and gracious as hosts should
were warm and gracious as hosts should be when somebody comes into your home I
be when somebody comes into your home I
be when somebody comes into your home I changed my mind
changed my mind
changed my mind about Muslims that day maybe I needed to
about Muslims that day maybe I needed to
about Muslims that day maybe I needed to rethink my mind on Islam but before I
rethink my mind on Islam but before I
rethink my mind on Islam but before I tell you about my education on Islam I’d
tell you about my education on Islam I’d
tell you about my education on Islam I’d like to point out that that friend has
like to point out that that friend has
like to point out that that friend has been my husband for 21 years
and that woman is my mother-in-law and
and that woman is my mother-in-law and she is not oppressed I’m got a fury left
she is not oppressed I’m got a fury left
she is not oppressed I’m got a fury left on that one in order to educate myself
on that one in order to educate myself
on that one in order to educate myself more on Aslam I couldn’t take people’s
more on Aslam I couldn’t take people’s
more on Aslam I couldn’t take people’s word for what it really was about see
word for what it really was about see
word for what it really was about see being half Jewish and half Christian and
being half Jewish and half Christian and
being half Jewish and half Christian and brought up that way religiously I had
brought up that way religiously I had
brought up that way religiously I had read cover to cover twice the Bible both
read cover to cover twice the Bible both
read cover to cover twice the Bible both old and new Testament but I had never
old and new Testament but I had never
old and new Testament but I had never read the Quran so I got a copy from my
read the Quran so I got a copy from my
read the Quran so I got a copy from my husband and I read it cover-to-cover
husband and I read it cover-to-cover
husband and I read it cover-to-cover to see what it was in it for myself and
to see what it was in it for myself and
to see what it was in it for myself and I learned quite a few things I don’t
I learned quite a few things I don’t
I learned quite a few things I don’t even have time to list all of them here
even have time to list all of them here
even have time to list all of them here today one thing I learned is that honor
today one thing I learned is that honor
today one thing I learned is that honor killings are not only not a part of
killings are not only not a part of
killings are not only not a part of Islam they’re not lawful according to
Islam they’re not lawful according to
Islam they’re not lawful according to Islam that in Islam they respect all
Islam that in Islam they respect all
Islam that in Islam they respect all religions that Islam considers Jesus to
religions that Islam considers Jesus to
religions that Islam considers Jesus to be a prophet it holds him in high regard
be a prophet it holds him in high regard
be a prophet it holds him in high regard higher regard than the Jews the Israelis
higher regard than the Jews the Israelis
higher regard than the Jews the Israelis and I also learned that like any other
and I also learned that like any other
and I also learned that like any other religion without question never an
religion without question never an
religion without question never an excuse for murder is wrong and not
excuse for murder is wrong and not
excuse for murder is wrong and not permissible in Islam according to the
permissible in Islam according to the
permissible in Islam according to the Quran by education on Islam and on
Quran by education on Islam and on
Quran by education on Islam and on Muslims
Muslims
Muslims stretched out and branched out into
stretched out and branched out into
stretched out and branched out into various countries so I became even more
various countries so I became even more
various countries so I became even more educated in this regard personally in
educated in this regard personally in
educated in this regard personally in 1996 I went to Israel being half Jewish
1996 I went to Israel being half Jewish
1996 I went to Israel being half Jewish my father being Jewish I was curious and
my father being Jewish I was curious and
my father being Jewish I was curious and I must say much like when I read the
I must say much like when I read the
I must say much like when I read the Quran and saw it with my own eyes for
Quran and saw it with my own eyes for
Quran and saw it with my own eyes for myself I saw with my own eyes
myself I saw with my own eyes
myself I saw with my own eyes oppressed people Palestinian people who
oppressed people Palestinian people who
oppressed people Palestinian people who were truly oppressed and I was shocked
were truly oppressed and I was shocked
were truly oppressed and I was shocked to see a wall that was similar in
to see a wall that was similar in
to see a wall that was similar in fashion to a ghetto during the Holocaust
fashion to a ghetto during the Holocaust
fashion to a ghetto during the Holocaust that my polish ancestors were forced to
that my polish ancestors were forced to
that my polish ancestors were forced to stand behind and I was
stand behind and I was
stand behind and I was named ashamed of my Jewish side for that
while I was there I traveled to Egypt it
while I was there I traveled to Egypt it was the year after the Luxor Massacre
was the year after the Luxor Massacre
was the year after the Luxor Massacre and there were people that said to me
and there were people that said to me
and there were people that said to me don’t tell them you’re American tell
don’t tell them you’re American tell
don’t tell them you’re American tell them you’re Canadian and I said why they
them you’re Canadian and I said why they
them you’re Canadian and I said why they hate Americans don’t you know put the
hate Americans don’t you know put the
hate Americans don’t you know put the Luxor Massacre I’m like yeah that was a
Luxor Massacre I’m like yeah that was a
Luxor Massacre I’m like yeah that was a true bus of people from various
true bus of people from various
true bus of people from various countries don’t tell them you’re
countries don’t tell them you’re
countries don’t tell them you’re American I get in the car at Cairo
American I get in the car at Cairo
American I get in the car at Cairo nighttime nice cool breeze to break up
nighttime nice cool breeze to break up
nighttime nice cool breeze to break up the heat of the day driving the taxi
the heat of the day driving the taxi
the heat of the day driving the taxi driver goes where are you from I’m like
driver goes where are you from I’m like
driver goes where are you from I’m like the you Canada and he said oh I thought
the you Canada and he said oh I thought
the you Canada and he said oh I thought you’re American too bad I was going to
you’re American too bad I was going to
you’re American too bad I was going to ask you about Bill Clinton and Monica
ask you about Bill Clinton and Monica
ask you about Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky they didn’t hate Americans when
Lewinsky they didn’t hate Americans when
Lewinsky they didn’t hate Americans when I was sightseeing a group of women
I was sightseeing a group of women
I was sightseeing a group of women wearing burkas I could only see their
wearing burkas I could only see their
wearing burkas I could only see their eyes were giggling and you can tell a
eyes were giggling and you can tell a
eyes were giggling and you can tell a lot by the eyes and they motioned for me
lot by the eyes and they motioned for me
lot by the eyes and they motioned for me to come over and I was afraid like what
to come over and I was afraid like what
to come over and I was afraid like what are they gonna do to me right and I
are they gonna do to me right and I
are they gonna do to me right and I walked over they offered me to join them
walked over they offered me to join them
walked over they offered me to join them for lunch and wanted to know if my jeans
for lunch and wanted to know if my jeans
for lunch and wanted to know if my jeans were Levi’s and wanted to touch them we
were Levi’s and wanted to touch them we
were Levi’s and wanted to touch them we became friends we swapped necklaces
became friends we swapped necklaces
became friends we swapped necklaces sunglasses pictures addresses the people
sunglasses pictures addresses the people
sunglasses pictures addresses the people were warm the people were welcoming a
were warm the people were welcoming a
were warm the people were welcoming a Muslim country Muslim people again Islam
Muslim country Muslim people again Islam
Muslim country Muslim people again Islam I also went to Jordan and my married
I also went to Jordan and my married
I also went to Jordan and my married name is Hussein and the king was Hussein
name is Hussein and the king was Hussein
name is Hussein and the king was Hussein so I was a queen for a day and they were
so I was a queen for a day and they were
so I was a queen for a day and they were wonderful to me and Queen Noor from the
wonderful to me and Queen Noor from the
wonderful to me and Queen Noor from the United States of America was married to
United States of America was married to
United States of America was married to King Hussein of Jordan and everyone
King Hussein of Jordan and everyone
King Hussein of Jordan and everyone asked me if I knew Queen Noor forgetting
asked me if I knew Queen Noor forgetting
asked me if I knew Queen Noor forgetting how large the United States is but again
how large the United States is but again
how large the United States is but again they treated me with kindness they
they treated me with kindness they
they treated me with kindness they treated me with respect including bed
treated me with respect including bed
treated me with respect including bed wins under tents near Petra who shared
wins under tents near Petra who shared
wins under tents near Petra who shared their lunch with me also and then in
their lunch with me also and then in
their lunch with me also and then in 2007 the most wonderful thing occurred
2007 the most wonderful thing occurred
2007 the most wonderful thing occurred my husband and I adopted our first child
my husband and I adopted our first child
my husband and I adopted our first child our son in Pakistan and I had to live
our son in Pakistan and I had to live
our son in Pakistan and I had to live there for months and this was after 9/11
there for months and this was after 9/11
there for months and this was after 9/11 oh and there were bad things said about
oh and there were bad things said about
oh and there were bad things said about Muslims and about Islam and about Muslim
Muslims and about Islam and about Muslim
Muslims and about Islam and about Muslim countries but most certainly about Iraq
countries but most certainly about Iraq
countries but most certainly about Iraq Afghanistan and Pakistan didn’t you know
Afghanistan and Pakistan didn’t you know
Afghanistan and Pakistan didn’t you know that everybody there was part of the
that everybody there was part of the
that everybody there was part of the Taliban and they all hated Americans and
Taliban and they all hated Americans and
Taliban and they all hated Americans and I was nervous but I was included with
I was nervous but I was included with
I was nervous but I was included with the people that we visited and stayed
the people that we visited and stayed
the people that we visited and stayed with in Pakistan as a member of their
with in Pakistan as a member of their
with in Pakistan as a member of their family to this day to this day we talk
family to this day to this day we talk
family to this day to this day we talk almost every day on Facebook and a
almost every day on Facebook and a
almost every day on Facebook and a Pakistan people opened up their homes
Pakistan people opened up their homes
Pakistan people opened up their homes and their hearts and I saw I saw with my
and their hearts and I saw I saw with my
and their hearts and I saw I saw with my own eyes some terrorist organizations
own eyes some terrorist organizations
own eyes some terrorist organizations and I said to the driver bringing me to
and I said to the driver bringing me to
and I said to the driver bringing me to the airport what do you think of that
the airport what do you think of that
the airport what do you think of that and he said well what do you think I
and he said well what do you think I
and he said well what do you think I think of it I lived down the street from
think of it I lived down the street from
think of it I lived down the street from them you live over there I’m more afraid
them you live over there I’m more afraid
them you live over there I’m more afraid of them than you are he wasn’t signing
of them than you are he wasn’t signing
of them than you are he wasn’t signing his kid up for some terrorist summer
his kid up for some terrorist summer
his kid up for some terrorist summer camp as many Americans would think and
camp as many Americans would think and
camp as many Americans would think and he said to me as I got out of the car
he said to me as I got out of the car
he said to me as I got out of the car I’ll never forget miss Leslie please
I’ll never forget miss Leslie please
I’ll never forget miss Leslie please tell your George Bush president don’t
tell your George Bush president don’t
tell your George Bush president don’t bomb us like they did Iraq we’re nice
bomb us like they did Iraq we’re nice
bomb us like they did Iraq we’re nice people never forget that how can you
people never forget that how can you
people never forget that how can you forget that after 9/11 I won’t lie I was
forget that after 9/11 I won’t lie I was
forget that after 9/11 I won’t lie I was concerned I was concerned for many
concerned I was concerned for many
concerned I was concerned for many reasons one of which was selfish my
reasons one of which was selfish my
reasons one of which was selfish my husband’s an orthopedic surgeon with a
husband’s an orthopedic surgeon with a
husband’s an orthopedic surgeon with a Muslim Arabic last name I frantically
Muslim Arabic last name I frantically
Muslim Arabic last name I frantically called his office on September 12 and I
called his office on September 12 and I
called his office on September 12 and I said to his assistant be honest with me
said to his assistant be honest with me
said to his assistant be honest with me how many patients out of approximately
how many patients out of approximately
how many patients out of approximately 40 have canceled their appointments for
40 have canceled their appointments for
40 have canceled their appointments for today I braced myself for the answer
today I braced myself for the answer
today I braced myself for the answer zero not one person had rescheduled
zero not one person had rescheduled
zero not one person had rescheduled their appointment not one person was
their appointment not one person was
their appointment not one person was afraid to go see for the first time or a
afraid to go see for the first time or a
afraid to go see for the first time or a repeat visitor after their surgery their
repeat visitor after their surgery their
repeat visitor after their surgery their Muslim doctor with an Arabic last name
Muslim doctor with an Arabic last name
Muslim doctor with an Arabic last name now I’m not gonna lie after 9/11 the
now I’m not gonna lie after 9/11 the
now I’m not gonna lie after 9/11 the United States had its ideas much divided
United States had its ideas much divided
United States had its ideas much divided in two areas about Islam
in two areas about Islam
in two areas about Islam America’s view of Islam has changed I’ll
America’s view of Islam has changed I’ll
America’s view of Islam has changed I’ll tell you about that briefly
tell you about that briefly
tell you about that briefly but after 9/11 it was very apparent
but after 9/11 it was very apparent
but after 9/11 it was very apparent where people stood there were Americans
where people stood there were Americans
where people stood there were Americans who threw things at mosques or put pork
who threw things at mosques or put pork
who threw things at mosques or put pork on the door handles who even killed a
on the door handles who even killed a
on the door handles who even killed a Coptic Christian man they thought was a
Coptic Christian man they thought was a
Coptic Christian man they thought was a Muslim just two towns from where I live
Muslim just two towns from where I live
Muslim just two towns from where I live in Los Angeles
in Los Angeles
in Los Angeles there were slurs in writing and
there were slurs in writing and
there were slurs in writing and certainly verbally women taunted on the
certainly verbally women taunted on the
certainly verbally women taunted on the streets while there’s wondering if their
streets while there’s wondering if their
streets while there’s wondering if their daughters should wear their had jobs to
daughters should wear their had jobs to
daughters should wear their had jobs to school more women putting on he jobs to
school more women putting on he jobs to
school more women putting on he jobs to show that their Muslim and they’re proud
show that their Muslim and they’re proud
show that their Muslim and they’re proud and they’re American as well but I also
and they’re American as well but I also
and they’re American as well but I also saw the education of some Americans and
saw the education of some Americans and
saw the education of some Americans and I say that because I think out of every
I say that because I think out of every
I say that because I think out of every tragedy there has to be some good
tragedy there has to be some good
tragedy there has to be some good doesn’t there and I think there was some
doesn’t there and I think there was some
doesn’t there and I think there was some good after 9/11 people got to know their
good after 9/11 people got to know their
good after 9/11 people got to know their neighbors I remember my in-laws were
neighbors I remember my in-laws were
neighbors I remember my in-laws were visiting us on September 14th one of my
visiting us on September 14th one of my
visiting us on September 14th one of my brothers birthdays and they were flying
brothers birthdays and they were flying
brothers birthdays and they were flying from Florida to California and I was
from Florida to California and I was
from Florida to California and I was terrified for them my mother-in-law
terrified for them my mother-in-law
terrified for them my mother-in-law wears a hijab they have a Muslim Arabic
wears a hijab they have a Muslim Arabic
wears a hijab they have a Muslim Arabic last name they’re older and when they
last name they’re older and when they
last name they’re older and when they came and I said to my mother-in-law and
came and I said to my mother-in-law and
came and I said to my mother-in-law and father-in-law how was your journey she
father-in-law how was your journey she
father-in-law how was your journey she said the people were wonderful they went
said the people were wonderful they went
said the people were wonderful they went out of their way to be nice to us as if
out of their way to be nice to us as if
out of their way to be nice to us as if to say to us without saying the words we
to say to us without saying the words we
to say to us without saying the words we don’t blame you we don’t blame your
don’t blame you we don’t blame your
don’t blame you we don’t blame your religion of Islam for what happened on
religion of Islam for what happened on
religion of Islam for what happened on 9/11 no unfortunately the world has been
9/11 no unfortunately the world has been
9/11 no unfortunately the world has been the victims of many terrorism acts since
the victims of many terrorism acts since
the victims of many terrorism acts since 9/11 while I was flying here there was
9/11 while I was flying here there was
9/11 while I was flying here there was an act of terrorism on the shop to the
an act of terrorism on the shop to the
an act of terrorism on the shop to the SE in Paris and of course we all know
SE in Paris and of course we all know
SE in Paris and of course we all know just last week in Egypt at a Coptic
just last week in Egypt at a Coptic
just last week in Egypt at a Coptic Christian Church in the United States
Christian Church in the United States
Christian Church in the United States I’m a member of the media as you know
I’m a member of the media as you know
I’m a member of the media as you know and in the United States a lot of people
and in the United States a lot of people
and in the United States a lot of people rely on the media for their information
rely on the media for their information
rely on the media for their information and unfortunately I’m sure you’ve heard
and unfortunately I’m sure you’ve heard
and unfortunately I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase fake news there’s a lot of
the phrase fake news there’s a lot of
the phrase fake news there’s a lot of information that may not be accurate or
information that may not be accurate or
information that may not be accurate or that may be very one-sided and people
that may be very one-sided and people
that may be very one-sided and people are watching this and people are reading
are watching this and people are reading
are watching this and people are reading this
this
this people are listening to this and that
people are listening to this and that
people are listening to this and that can be extremely dangerous and I’ll tell
can be extremely dangerous and I’ll tell
can be extremely dangerous and I’ll tell you why because there are some realities
you why because there are some realities
you why because there are some realities that not only America but a lot of the
that not only America but a lot of the
that not only America but a lot of the Western world don’t know and I’m gonna
Western world don’t know and I’m gonna
Western world don’t know and I’m gonna share some with you because I’m in the
share some with you because I’m in the
share some with you because I’m in the media so you can believe everything I
media so you can believe everything I
media so you can believe everything I say right just anything one the
say right just anything one the
say right just anything one the overwhelming majority of victims of Isis
overwhelming majority of victims of Isis
overwhelming majority of victims of Isis al Qaeda or any other terrorist
al Qaeda or any other terrorist
al Qaeda or any other terrorist organization worldwide hands down
organization worldwide hands down
organization worldwide hands down numbers don’t don’t even match up our
numbers don’t don’t even match up our
numbers don’t don’t even match up our Muslims not Americans for Christian
Muslims not Americans for Christian
Muslims not Americans for Christian Muslims mostly non-american Muslims and
Muslims mostly non-american Muslims and
Muslims mostly non-american Muslims and then there are heroes would you like to
then there are heroes would you like to
then there are heroes would you like to hear about some heroes in the Muslim
hear about some heroes in the Muslim
hear about some heroes in the Muslim community who practiced and believed in
community who practiced and believed in
community who practiced and believed in Islam and show a religion of peace a lot
Islam and show a religion of peace a lot
Islam and show a religion of peace a lot of people don’t hear about stories when
of people don’t hear about stories when
of people don’t hear about stories when there were the attacks in Paris in a
there were the attacks in Paris in a
there were the attacks in Paris in a Jewish deli a Muslim man led 14 people
Jewish deli a Muslim man led 14 people
Jewish deli a Muslim man led 14 people down a backed stairwell and saved their
down a backed stairwell and saved their
down a backed stairwell and saved their lives
lives
lives all of them Jewish he Muslim and I think
all of them Jewish he Muslim and I think
all of them Jewish he Muslim and I think one French paper and one French
one French paper and one French
one French paper and one French television outlet covered that in
television outlet covered that in
television outlet covered that in Orlando California Orlando Florida
Orlando California Orlando Florida
Orlando California Orlando Florida excuse me after the shooting the
excuse me after the shooting the
excuse me after the shooting the terrorist attack there there was a
terrorist attack there there was a
terrorist attack there there was a Muslim Marine who ran into the nightclub
Muslim Marine who ran into the nightclub
Muslim Marine who ran into the nightclub while the shooter was still inside to
while the shooter was still inside to
while the shooter was still inside to pull bodies out so they would not get
pull bodies out so they would not get
pull bodies out so they would not get shot in San Bernardino California where
shot in San Bernardino California where
shot in San Bernardino California where there was a terrorist attack
there was a terrorist attack
there was a terrorist attack by a man and his wife a physician who
by a man and his wife a physician who
by a man and his wife a physician who had actually been trained and had been
had actually been trained and had been
had actually been trained and had been in the military an Iranian Muslim drove
in the military an Iranian Muslim drove
in the military an Iranian Muslim drove told the authorities put on his riot
told the authorities put on his riot
told the authorities put on his riot gear with his medical bag
gear with his medical bag
gear with his medical bag walked into the building while the
walked into the building while the
walked into the building while the terrorists were shooting people and was
terrorists were shooting people and was
terrorists were shooting people and was treating people you don’t hear about
treating people you don’t hear about
treating people you don’t hear about that
and last week in Egypt there were
and last week in Egypt there were numerous Muslims who helped the Coptic
numerous Muslims who helped the Coptic
numerous Muslims who helped the Coptic Christians in their community to safety
Christians in their community to safety
Christians in their community to safety gave them CPR first aid transported them
gave them CPR first aid transported them
gave them CPR first aid transported them to get them medical attention you know
to get them medical attention you know
to get them medical attention you know in November it was a tough day for me as
in November it was a tough day for me as
in November it was a tough day for me as the Liberal Democrat but we got a new
the Liberal Democrat but we got a new
the Liberal Democrat but we got a new president in the United States of
president in the United States of
president in the United States of America he might have heard about it his
America he might have heard about it his
America he might have heard about it his name is Donald J Trump and at the time
name is Donald J Trump and at the time
name is Donald J Trump and at the time of his campaigning he had a lot of
of his campaigning he had a lot of
of his campaigning he had a lot of things to say about Islam a lot of
things to say about Islam a lot of
things to say about Islam a lot of things to say about Muslims and a lot of
things to say about Muslims and a lot of
things to say about Muslims and a lot of rhetoric that was extremely divisive
rhetoric that was extremely divisive
rhetoric that was extremely divisive hurtful and I feel quite on American he
hurtful and I feel quite on American he
hurtful and I feel quite on American he talked about registries he talked about
talked about registries he talked about
talked about registries he talked about bans banning banning a religion they
bans banning banning a religion they
bans banning banning a religion they wanted to do that in the Netherlands
wanted to do that in the Netherlands
wanted to do that in the Netherlands thank God that guy didn’t get elected
thank God that guy didn’t get elected
thank God that guy didn’t get elected but in the United States of America this
but in the United States of America this
but in the United States of America this rhetoric just boiled up and fanned those
rhetoric just boiled up and fanned those
rhetoric just boiled up and fanned those flames of hatred much like after 9/11 do
flames of hatred much like after 9/11 do
flames of hatred much like after 9/11 do you know that Donald Trump proposed a
you know that Donald Trump proposed a
you know that Donald Trump proposed a travel ban that I many others call a
travel ban that I many others call a
travel ban that I many others call a Muslim ban unfortunately good prevailed
Muslim ban unfortunately good prevailed
Muslim ban unfortunately good prevailed when half a dozen federal judges in the
when half a dozen federal judges in the
when half a dozen federal judges in the United States said that is
United States said that is
United States said that is unconstitutional mr. president you can’t
unconstitutional mr. president you can’t
unconstitutional mr. president you can’t do it but our president in my country
do it but our president in my country
do it but our president in my country who knows I don’t fancy him because he
who knows I don’t fancy him because he
who knows I don’t fancy him because he sees my negative tweets about him his
sees my negative tweets about him his
sees my negative tweets about him his quite the narcissist as you’ve heard and
quite the narcissist as you’ve heard and
quite the narcissist as you’ve heard and president Trump was not going to give up
president Trump was not going to give up
president Trump was not going to give up so they gave a second revised newer and
so they gave a second revised newer and
so they gave a second revised newer and improved version of the Muslim ban and
improved version of the Muslim ban and
improved version of the Muslim ban and guess what another set of federal judges
guess what another set of federal judges
guess what another set of federal judges knocked it down and said that’s
knocked it down and said that’s
knocked it down and said that’s unconstitutional mr. Trump I’m sorry no
unconstitutional mr. Trump I’m sorry no
unconstitutional mr. Trump I’m sorry no can do you do not pass go
51% just over half of Americans do not
51% just over half of Americans do not approve of the Muslim ban the travel ban
approve of the Muslim ban the travel ban
approve of the Muslim ban the travel ban and if you look at those polls and break
and if you look at those polls and break
and if you look at those polls and break down the numbers
down the numbers
down the numbers it’s even a higher number depending on
it’s even a higher number depending on
it’s even a higher number depending on how the questions are posed America is
how the questions are posed America is
how the questions are posed America is divided there’s good and there’s bad and
divided there’s good and there’s bad and
divided there’s good and there’s bad and it’s divided I wouldn’t say nearly in
it’s divided I wouldn’t say nearly in
it’s divided I wouldn’t say nearly in half there is still some who have bad
half there is still some who have bad
half there is still some who have bad what is America’s view Islam still have
what is America’s view Islam still have
what is America’s view Islam still have some have bad ideas of Islam some still
some have bad ideas of Islam some still
some have bad ideas of Islam some still view some of the uglier sides that
view some of the uglier sides that
view some of the uglier sides that Americans and those in the Western world
Americans and those in the Western world
Americans and those in the Western world are very uncomfortable with that is not
are very uncomfortable with that is not
are very uncomfortable with that is not part of the religion and I don’t find in
part of the religion and I don’t find in
part of the religion and I don’t find in the Quran such as child marriages or
the Quran such as child marriages or
the Quran such as child marriages or honor killings and certainly murder and
honor killings and certainly murder and
honor killings and certainly murder and terrorism because there is still some
terrorism because there is still some
terrorism because there is still some Americans that think that anyone who is
Americans that think that anyone who is
Americans that think that anyone who is a Muslim you are a terrorist or you’re a
a Muslim you are a terrorist or you’re a
a Muslim you are a terrorist or you’re a terrorist in the training and certainly
terrorist in the training and certainly
terrorist in the training and certainly your training your kids to be but I want
your training your kids to be but I want
your training your kids to be but I want to tell you about some of the good – in
to tell you about some of the good – in
to tell you about some of the good – in that division I want to show you some of
that division I want to show you some of
that division I want to show you some of the change that’s occurred since 9/11 we
the change that’s occurred since 9/11 we
the change that’s occurred since 9/11 we have two elected congressman currently
have two elected congressman currently
have two elected congressman currently in the United States Congress in the
in the United States Congress in the
in the United States Congress in the United States that are Muslim – and
United States that are Muslim – and
United States that are Muslim – and that’s in a post-911 world President
that’s in a post-911 world President
that’s in a post-911 world President Barack Hussein Obama was elected a man
Barack Hussein Obama was elected a man
Barack Hussein Obama was elected a man who had lived in a Muslim country
who had lived in a Muslim country
who had lived in a Muslim country obviously is not our president now there
obviously is not our president now there
obviously is not our president now there was a woman’s March that was organized
was a woman’s March that was organized
was a woman’s March that was organized by a Muslim woman who wears a hijab and
by a Muslim woman who wears a hijab and
by a Muslim woman who wears a hijab and over five million men and women
over five million men and women
over five million men and women worldwide listened and responded to her
worldwide listened and responded to her
worldwide listened and responded to her rallying cry in Times Square there were
rallying cry in Times Square there were
rallying cry in Times Square there were thousands of people that showed up for
thousands of people that showed up for
thousands of people that showed up for today I am a Muslim and the head of the
today I am a Muslim and the head of the
today I am a Muslim and the head of the ADL the anti-defamation league who was
ADL the anti-defamation league who was
ADL the anti-defamation league who was Jewish said when President Donald Trump
Jewish said when President Donald Trump
Jewish said when President Donald Trump talked about imposing and and having a
talked about imposing and and having a
talked about imposing and and having a Muslim registry which would mean anybody
Muslim registry which would mean anybody
Muslim registry which would mean anybody who was Muslim would have to register
who was Muslim would have to register
who was Muslim would have to register talk about prejudice and
talk about prejudice and
talk about prejudice and unconstitutional in the United States do
unconstitutional in the United States do
unconstitutional in the United States do you know when he said a Jewish man head
you know when he said a Jewish man head
you know when he said a Jewish man head of the ADL if you have a Muslim registry
of the ADL if you have a Muslim registry
of the ADL if you have a Muslim registry I will register as a Muslim this is the
I will register as a Muslim this is the
I will register as a Muslim this is the head of the ADL a Jewish man
head of the ADL a Jewish man
head of the ADL a Jewish man and then on Twitter and then on Facebook
and then on Twitter and then on Facebook
and then on Twitter and then on Facebook and then all over and then my Jewish
and then all over and then my Jewish
and then all over and then my Jewish cousin at dinner if they ever register
cousin at dinner if they ever register
cousin at dinner if they ever register and their just ring as a Muslim I just
and their just ring as a Muslim I just
and their just ring as a Muslim I just want you to know tell your husband this
want you to know tell your husband this
want you to know tell your husband this became a movement and I’m seeing that in
became a movement and I’m seeing that in
became a movement and I’m seeing that in my country but let’s go beyond the
my country but let’s go beyond the
my country but let’s go beyond the people and let’s go to the polls shall
people and let’s go to the polls shall
people and let’s go to the polls shall we
we
we there was a poll recently just a couple
there was a poll recently just a couple
there was a poll recently just a couple of months ago as to how warm people felt
of months ago as to how warm people felt
of months ago as to how warm people felt in America about Islam
in America about Islam
in America about Islam 48% I know you think that’s not very
48% I know you think that’s not very
48% I know you think that’s not very good but three years ago it was 10
good but three years ago it was 10
good but three years ago it was 10 percent lower in three years
percent lower in three years
percent lower in three years it is increased to forty eight percent
it is increased to forty eight percent
it is increased to forty eight percent and that’s warm feeling warm and fuzzy
and that’s warm feeling warm and fuzzy
and that’s warm feeling warm and fuzzy about Islam and then there are realities
about Islam and then there are realities
about Islam and then there are realities there not only Americans and their views
there not only Americans and their views
there not only Americans and their views about Islam are going to have to change
about Islam are going to have to change
about Islam are going to have to change but the reality is that Islam is the
but the reality is that Islam is the
but the reality is that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world
fastest growing religion in the world
fastest growing religion in the world the reality is that over 1.6 billion
the reality is that over 1.6 billion
the reality is that over 1.6 billion people in this world are Muslims and if
people in this world are Muslims and if
people in this world are Muslims and if you do the math and I’m not good at it
you do the math and I’m not good at it
you do the math and I’m not good at it but I did look it up that’s almost 25
but I did look it up that’s almost 25
but I did look it up that’s almost 25 almost a quarter of our population was
almost a quarter of our population was
almost a quarter of our population was 25% of the population approximately 24%
25% of the population approximately 24%
25% of the population approximately 24% of the world’s population Lesly with 25
of the world’s population Lesly with 25
of the world’s population Lesly with 25 minutes please conclude huh conclusion
minutes please conclude huh conclusion
minutes please conclude huh conclusion please well 25 minutes yes thank you and
please well 25 minutes yes thank you and
please well 25 minutes yes thank you and the the reality also is that there are
the the reality also is that there are
the the reality also is that there are power in numbers somebody asked me once
power in numbers somebody asked me once
power in numbers somebody asked me once well what can anybody do to change this
well what can anybody do to change this
well what can anybody do to change this Muslims can change this not only in the
Muslims can change this not only in the
Muslims can change this not only in the United States but throughout the world
United States but throughout the world
United States but throughout the world one get to know non-muslims and tell
one get to know non-muslims and tell
one get to know non-muslims and tell them and teach them about Islam and let
them and teach them about Islam and let
them and teach them about Islam and let them meet you and find out like I did
them meet you and find out like I did
them meet you and find out like I did firsthand were two wonderful people you
firsthand were two wonderful people you
firsthand were two wonderful people you are and that Islam is a religion of
are and that Islam is a religion of
are and that Islam is a religion of peace to get involved with your schools
peace to get involved with your schools
peace to get involved with your schools run for office have a carnival in your
run for office have a carnival in your
run for office have a carnival in your mosque parking lot invite people into
mosque parking lot invite people into
mosque parking lot invite people into the mosque so they can see while that
the mosque so they can see while that
the mosque so they can see while that person may worship differently or
person may worship differently or
person may worship differently or believe in something different than I
believe in something different than I
believe in something different than I but we’re pretty much the same and by
but we’re pretty much the same and by
but we’re pretty much the same and by the way that’s something I noticed in
the way that’s something I noticed in
the way that’s something I noticed in traveling the world people are pretty
traveling the world people are pretty
traveling the world people are pretty much the same
much the same
much the same we all have lousy traffic we all
we all have lousy traffic we all
we all have lousy traffic we all complain about the weather we all want
complain about the weather we all want
complain about the weather we all want to save her life
to save her life
to save her life for our future and we all want a better
for our future and we all want a better
for our future and we all want a better future for our children last thing I
future for our children last thing I
future for our children last thing I want to say is America is waking up to
want to say is America is waking up to
want to say is America is waking up to Islam what it is and what it isn’t I did
Islam what it is and what it isn’t I did
Islam what it is and what it isn’t I did and there’s a woman married into a
and there’s a woman married into a
and there’s a woman married into a Muslim family
Muslim family
Muslim family I am hopeful and even optimistic about
I am hopeful and even optimistic about
I am hopeful and even optimistic about Americans view of Islam going forward in
Americans view of Islam going forward in
Americans view of Islam going forward in the future
the future
the future thank you Matt sees ship run this leave
thank you Matt sees ship run this leave
thank you Matt sees ship run this leave us home
”
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