The following were distributed by the Islamic Information Office of Hawaii by email:

(Scroll down for email by Rep Pine)

Title: Passing of Islam Day in the Hawai'i State Senate Reveals Hate and Bigotry in the Aloha State

Author: Islamic Information Office Date: Thursday, May 07 2009 @ 07:57 PM PDT

Assalamu ‘Alaikum and hope all is well,

Islam day HCR100 Resolution was on the agenda yesterday (Wednesday). Senator Hemmings (Republican) gave a hate speech in opposition talking about the 10% of Islamic terrorists who want to kill Americans. The gallery was filled with the red shirts that are opposing HB444, the Civil Unions bill who all stood and applauded in support of Senator Hemmings speech against this Resolution. It was disgusting.

The senate normally takes votes on consent, but Hemmings asked for a roll call. Then they had to go into caucus and they were going to recommit the Resolution (which would have killed it). Great thanks to Senator Michelle Kidani said that she wanted to vote on it and that she didn’t think they should let religious bigots dictate what laws to pass. She added that we have state holidays for Good Friday and Christmas and that is religious so unless they were ready to give up those holidays she wanted this Resolution to move forward.

So it was agreed that they would separate this Resolution from the rest of the order of the day and take a roll call vote.

As our Majority Floor Leader, Senator Hooser gave a floor speech in support of HCR100. Then Senator Slom (Also Republican) opposed (because of his know (sic) bigotry against Islam and Muslims). He said it was ramroded through committee and he was told no amendments could be made.  Senator Hee who then stood and asked what particularly about the resolution did he want amended. Slom gave none.

Senator Green said he would support with reservations but felt the Resolution was not keeping in separation of church and state. Then Senator Hemmings again spoke against it.

Senator Espero rose in support and asked in the spirit of Aloha to pass this resolution. Finally the senate voted and passed it—the vote was 22-3, Slom, Hemmings and Green voted against it. Since then senator received few email questing their decision and that they should not have passed it.  (Ed--Which Senator's staffer is sending this information to the IIO?)

The reason I am sharing this with you in details is because bigotry and hate for Islam and Muslims still exist in Hawaii as clearly shown by the 3 senators that voted and spoke against Islam Day and especially Slom and Hemmings.

TODAY WE MUST SEND ALL SENATORS AN EMAIL OR FAX to express our thanks and appreciation and to tell them that they did the right thing. They took a bold move and they must receive more support for what they did than criticism. DO NOT DELAY SENDING AN EMAIL. IT IS CRUCIAL, VERY CRUCIAL. Also if you have friends you trust send them the email even if they are out of state. This matter is so important that I am not going to suggest what you need to say, YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE TIME ANS (sic) THANK THEM FROM YOUR HEART.

Read the full article at http://www.iio.org/article.php?story=20090507165759936

(Sen Kidani argues that Hawaii is obligated to do this because we celebrate Christmas and Good Friday.  Really?  There is no Islamic holiday known as Islam Day.  If Kidani wished to add a real Islamic holiday she should make the proposal and then explain why we have no holidays marking any official Buddhist holidays in the state with the largest Buddhist population of any US state.  This proposal exists solely for use as an ideological cudgel in an attempt to paint those who oppose it as 'bigots'.  Given the history of Islamic bigotry, warfare and genocide against all other religions that is a mind-blowing statement which displays the special kind of ignorance which can only exist behind a shield of arrogance.  And why September 24?  If a new Islamic holiday were to be created certainly September 24 is not the day in September that Muslims are celebrating.)

Title: PINE RESPONDS TO SLOM’S STATEMENTS ON EXTREME TERRORISM

(Editor's Note: Rep Pine has developed close ties to Hawaii supporters of the Ron Paul campaign.  Several are employed in her legislative office.  This email is cross-posted on Ron Paul Hawaii leader Dan Douglass' website " www.HawaiiLibertyChronicles.com.  Right below it?  Erstwhile 2008 Ron Paul GOP Hawaii Congressional candidate Daniel Brackins' argument against any ban on gay marriage.  Douglass received 105 votes for Honolulu County Chair at the March , 2009 Honolulu County GOP Convention.)

Author: Islamic Information Office

Date: Thursday, May 07 2009 @ 07:28 PM PDT

H.C.R 100 Does Not Honor Extreme Terrorists

Republican State Rep. Kymberly Pine says State Senator Sam Slom's statements on Islam Day are insensitive and wrong.  Rep. Pine said, "Slom equated the Legislature's passage of H.C.R. 100, entitled "House Resolution Proclaiming September 24, 2009, As Islam Day." to the honoring of extreme terrorists.  Slom's statements marginalize significant and peaceful Hawaii citizens. 

Our Hawaii and U.S. Constitutions recognize liberties and rights not favoring one personal faith over another.  Recognition through a House Resolution of one faith group's contribution to our multi-faith Hawaii has been common practice. Groups have been recognized through House Resolutions including the fourth Saturday of July as an annual Kupuna Recognition Day, April 6 as Tartan (Scottish heritage) Day and Sept. 28, 2007 as Confucius Day in Hawaii.

As leaders we must be very clear that not all Muslims are terrorists. Terrorists have very different backgrounds and beliefs than Hawaii Muslims."

# # # #

Read the full article at http://www.iio.org/article.php?story=20090507191446224

(The wise reader will note that "Kupuna Recognition Day" honors Hawaiian elders, not a religion.  Tartan Day honors Scottish heritage, not a religion.  And Confucius Day honors the founder of a system of philosophy--but does not honor a religion.  Under Islamic law Buddhists and Confucians both are regarded as atheists and are therefore accorded absolutely no rights--including the right to life.  To compare Confucius Day to Islam Day is thus doubly insulting.)

RELATED from: Kona mosque-builder threatens lawsuit 

The demands made by Majid and his attorneys with the assistance of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) are little more than an attempt at censorship. But shortly after receiving a second demand letter, this one dated June 3, 2008 and signed by attorneys William S. Hunt and Lerisa L. Heroldt of Honolulu law firm Alston, Hunt, Floyd & Ing, HawaiiReporter.com removed the article from its website.

In spite of telephone and email requests from this reporter, Majid has not made himself available to discuss the mosque fundraising efforts. Even the demand letters were not sent to this reporter. In addition to sending them to HawaiiReporter.com, copies of an April 30, 2008 demand letter were also forwarded to Rep Kym Pine (R-Ewa) and to two Republican political appointees. The appointees, having a very good understanding of press freedom, forwarded their copies to Hawai`i Free Press. Rep. Pine took a different approach.  She contacted this reporter by telephone in an unsuccessful effort to get the article retracted.  

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More to come....