The counter-conference, titled ‘Rejecting Islamophobia: A Community Stand Against Hate,’ outdrew the Geller conference by a solid margin on short notice.  PHOTOS: Natasha Dado/TAAN

The Southern Poverty Law Center and Anti-Defamation League have classified Geller’s Stop Islamization of America as a hate group, but Geller pointed the finger at those who organized their own conference at the Doubletree Hotel nearby. She said her conference’s goal was to stand up against “honor killings.”

“That rally before this was pro-honor killing,” Geller said. “Why aren’t they speaking out against honor killings? If you’re covering up for that you’re supporting it.”

Mokdad was only 20 years old when she was shot and killed by her stepfather. Geller and her supporters argue it was an honor killing stemming from Mokdad’s failure to follow Islamic customs; the conference marked the one-year anniversary of her death.

Attendees at a conference organized by Stop Islamization of America founder Pam Geller. The SIOA has been deemed a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Mokdad’s family and others say it wasn’t an honor killing, rather that the stepfather was controlling, obsessive and seeking an intimate relationship with Mokdad.

Speaking to The Arab American News last month Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor, Bill Cataldo said there’s proof it wasn’t an honor killing, and before her death, Mokdad went to police alleging her stepfather sexually assaulted her. Mokdad was also caught discussing the issue with a friend on the Internet, which upset him too.

More than 100 attended Geller’s event, while about 200 gathered at the DoubleTree rally that was sponsored by the Arab American Institute, The Arab American News, Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee of Michigan, Arab Civil Rights League, Lebanese American Heritage Club, Arab American Chamber of Commerce and the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services.

“If she’s really concerned about Muslim girls’ rights I have another plan for her. I ask her (Geller) to defend the rights of Muslim girls in Palestine and in Gaza…where their parents …and brothers are being killed, attacked and imprisoned by the Israeli government,” Imam Hassan Al-Qazwini of the Islamic Center of America said.

Geller responded speaking to the crowd at her event and said, “well just for knowing I am standing up, and there is no Palestine.”

Zogby

Later she said, “I never seen anyone blowing themselves up yelling, you know, Jesus Akbar.” The comment drew applause and laughs. As guests lined up to register, one man stood around wearing a shirt and holding a sign that read, “I will not submit.” He says the photos will be posted on the Internet to encourage others not be afraid to speak out against Islam.

“You think they (Muslims) are going to hunt you down and kill you,” the man said trying to sway people into taking a photo. A pamphlet was distributed featuring photos of women who are allegedly victims of honor killings.

Nonie Darwish, a former Muslim and Christian convert who said she lived in the Middle East for decades, spoke about a 16-year old girl she once knew who lost her life in an honor killing.  

According to Darwish the girl was raped, then became pregnant. Following the delivery Darwish’s family learned the girl’s relatives killed her because of the sexual encounter.  

“There’s a double face of Islam. There’s the face of Islam…in America that’s moderate and peaceful, and there’s the Islam I grew up with in the Muslim world, and they are two worlds apart…I don’t want America to be fooled,” Darwish said.

U.S. Rep. Clark speaking at the conference “Rejecting Islamophobia” at the Doubletree Hotel near Dearborn in Detroit. Photos: Nafeh AbuNab

Nearly every speaker discussed the threat of Shari’a law in America.  Darwish said Shari’a law should be abolished from the face of the earth, and that every Muslim girl is afraid of it. Robert Spencer of jihadwatch.org, was one of the conference’s speakers, and says the case of the four Christian missionaries who were charged with breaching the peace at the Arab International Festival after distributing religious literature didn’t receive enough media coverage. A video featuring the missionaries at the festival was shown.

Darwin Giles, one of Mokdad’s friends remembers speaking to her on the phone, and hearing her complain about feeling oppressed. He said Mokdad never wanted to wear the traditional headscarf, and that her family started to feel she was becoming rebellious against Islam.

Speakers at the DoubleTree’s counter-conference included Congressman Hansen Clarke of Michigan’s 13th congressional district, Congressman John Conyers of Michigan’s 14th congressional district, Arab American News publisher Osama Siblani, Council on American Islamic Relations-Michigan Executive Director, Dawud Walid, ADC-Michigan Regional Director Imad Hamad, LAHC Executive Director Suehaila Amen, Arab American Institute President James Zogby, Victor Begg from the Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan, Eli Clifton of the American Center for Progress, Noel Saleh, ACCESS board member, Sarah Posner, journalist and senior editor for Religion Dispatches, ACRL Founder Nabih Ayad, Rev. Dan Buttry, Michigan Civil Rights Department Executive Director, Daniel Krichbaum and Executive Director of the Arab American Institute, Maya Berry.

U.S. Rep. John Conyers, Jr. attending the conference “Rejecting Islamophobia” at the Doubletree Hotel near Dearborn in Detroit. Photos: Nafeh AbuNab

Clarke revealed his middle name is Hashem, and he was educated at a mosque on Dix Road. He told The Arab American News his father was a peaceful man because of Islam. “Look I’m not a perfect person, but I want you to see me so you can see yourself governing the people of this country…This country is our country, and I don’t want these racist attacks ever letting our young people feel like they’re marginalized. Be who you are. If you wear the hijab, wear the hijab proudly. The reason this country is great is because we are all so diverse,” Clarke said.

Krichbaum also spoke, reminding the Muslim community to call the department if they’re discriminated against. “You have standing all across the metropolitan area, and in Lansing,” he said. 

Posner spoke about candidates using Islamophobia in their campaigns. She noted that some of the candidates in the Republican presidential primary supported measures of it, such as Michele Bachmann. Using Islam as a scare tactic to get votes is a method that’s been taken by some political figures. The question of whether anti-Muslim activists including Spencer and Geller receive financial contributions for spewing hate was brought up as well.  

Those at the counter-conference said they will remain steadfast against continued attacks.

“Muslim Americans and Arab Americans are here to stay. No Geller, no Spencer can move us. You will be leaving here and guess who is going to be staying, us. You will fail,” Siblani said.