At its recent convention in Chicago, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) honored the National Council of Churches’ top interfaith official with its “Interfaith Unity Award.”Undoubtedly, the award was well deserved! The NCC, like most of the Religious Left, defends or accommodates radical Islam, even as it denounces “fundamentalist” Christianity and condemns Israel. Despite the Religious Left’s support for liberal social causes like same-sex unions and abortion rights, it prefers the supporters of Islamic “Sharia” law to Christians or Jews who might sometimes vote Republican.
“You are doing the will of God,” gushed NCC Associate General Secretary for Interfaith Relations Shanta Premawardhana [shown at right]. “You are the ones upholding faith and serving humanity. You are my sisters and brothers.” ISNA says over 40,000 of its Islamic supporters attended its annual convention.
The award inscription read: "Islamic Society of North America presents Rev. Dr. Shanta Premawardhana, a fellow activist for peace, justice and reconciliation, a 'Christian believer' as described in Qur'an (3:113) in recognition of his tireless contribution to advancing inter-religious dialogue and partnership, with our prayers for a continued demonstration of energy, understanding and commitment."
Very moving. Of course, the NCC official, after receiving his award, theoretically could have used the occasion to urge the Muslim gathering to join with Christians and Jews in affirming democracy, religious liberty and human rights around the world. As “moderate” Muslims, perhaps some among ISNA might have actually listened.
Instead, Premawardhana baited the audience by attacking “far-right wing” Christians who are distressed by political Islam. He attacked the Bush Administration for its ostensible plans to attack Iran’s nuclear weapons program. And the NCC official defended Iran’s Islamist theocratic dictatorship, to which he has been a personal envoy, and insisted that Iran’s clerical tyrants accept Islam’s supposed prohibition against nuclear weapons...
Mark Tooley's article over at FrontPage Magazine can be read in its entirety here.
