September 24, 2011 – A California councilman named Derek Reeve is under fire for he avowed in a council meeting on Sept. 6 that he named one of his two dogs after Muhammad– the Muslim prophet. However, Muslims regard dog as unclean. The other dog is named “America”.
 

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has asked Reeve for an apology. Executive director of CAIR in greater Los Angeles said, as an elected official, Reeve should have not given the “distasteful remark” though he has the right to free speech.
 
Mayor of San Juan Capistrano Sam Allevato, along with another councilman Larry Kramer criticized Reeve.
 
“It’s a shame that now it’s become a media circus,” Mayor Sam Allevato said. “It’s an embarrassment for the city.”
 
“As leaders we should be setting a higher standard of behavior.” Kramer said.
 
Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) issued a statement on Wednesday supporting Kramer.
 
“ICNA-SC commends Mayor Pro Tem Larry Kramer for his letter distancing himself from such comments and for calling them what they are: ‘offensive.’ As all Americans, ICNA has always firmly supported the fundamental American value of freedom of speech for all, including elected officials,” the statement said.
 
“While it reminds that elected officials, due to the nature of their office, also have the responsibility of representing all their constituents and of observing a higher standard of morality than private citizens.”
 
Waqas Syed, deputy secretary general of ICNA, appealed other councilman of the City Council to “clearly state their positions”. But no other councilman give any comments on this issue by Tuesday night.
 
“We employ Muslim workers, who were offended by the statement, especially in the manner it was delivered. Who is to speak for them? They won’t speak up for themselves as they obviously fear retaliation,” Frank Mickadeit reports in the Orange County Register.
 
“I know that a ‘hostile work environment’ has to be a pervasive culture or pattern of behavior within an organization. But could not a ‘pattern’ of a hostile work environment begin with one statement made by the highest ranking member of the city?” he said.
 
Meanwhile, some people have labeled ICNA, the Council on American-Islamic Relations and other Muslim organizations as terrorist fronts.
 
“Mr. Kramer is criticizing me on how I raise my children,” Reeve said. “I will teach them and educate them on these principles (free speech) until the day I die,” Reeve fought back and refused to give any apology.
 
About twenty residents supported Reeve by saying he has a right to free speech at the City Council meeting on Sep 20. The council kept silent after Reeve and several people defended the criticism.
 
Article Courtesy: International Business Times, San Francisco

18 Responses

  1. A person who does not respect others/their religions/their Prophets/their culture and values is not qualified for a leadership role. By insulting a Prophet and His followers, Derek Reeve has proved that he does not qualify for his seat. Therefore, he should resign.
    He has not only insulted Prophet Muhammad and His followers, but he has also insulted America by naming his other dog ‘America’. He is insulting America while he is an active member of the Govt. This points towards a strong disqualification for the seat he his holding.

  2. This is an outrage. Please be aware that this is totally unacceptable.
    To Mr.Derek Reeve, this is not Free speech, this getting cheap publicity, by insulting 2 billion muslims around the world.
    I hope you recant and refrain from using a blessed name like this.
    If you will not give due respect then you in turn shall not receive it.

  3. Shame on Reeve, he doesn’t desever to be a council member. It seems like since he can’t do any damage to muslims physically so he thought just use the dog. What a low life pathetic inhuman bastard that he is.

  4. As muslims, we need to prtoect not only prophet Muhammed (SAAW), but all other prophets such as Jesus, Moses Noah. We have more right upon them then the non-believers.

  5. There must be a bondry line against free speech right. Reeve, having a responsible status, has shown irresponsible bahaviour that he himself knows it. i am surprised why others are supproting him. All of them should fear their Creator who also created all prophets including Muhammed (PBUH) for true guidance to the mankind, and we respect all of them. if Reeve and his supporters donot repent they will definitely be punished by GOD in this world and hereafter.

  6. Derek Reeve is a person who has no class ,he thinks he can get popularity by insulting muslims.Oviously he has no bussiness leading a city.The one who show no respect to other will get no respect.May allah punish him in this world and hearafter.

  7. His intentions are bad, and shouldn’t incite inflamation by doing these kinds of acts.
    But if you look the other side of it, what this stupid guy doesn’t know is that he is actually promoting Islam by doing this. Islam has always spread like brush fire when it is unjustly defamed. That is the work of Allah, and no one else.
    Adnan.

  8. While I’m sure this guy is an ignorant person, I wanted to point out something else – I think ICNA shouldn’t generalize all Muslims as believing the same thing, re: “Muslim believe dog to be unclean.” The Qur’an talks about The story of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, where the dog was a loyal companion. All this talk about dogs being unclean and haraam is a cultural myth that’s infiltrated the minds of our people. Don’t mix Islam and old ethnic culture. Thanks.

  9. Also instead of saying “may Allah punish him” why can’t you all say may Allah shed the ignorance from his heart? Allah talks about forgiveness so many times in the Quran but the very few people in our religious circle that go wild and suggest retributivist means are the people who give us the rest of us a bad name by posting all over these sites.

  10. He does not know Islam otherwise he would not behave like this. If he was a Muslim and did this, he was supposed to be punished fiercely by court. He and most of people do not understand the true sense of free speech. Does any one in Christianity has any right to call bad names the Saints in front of the public?

  11. As Salamu Alikum Warahmantu Allah Wabarktu,
    this act is disgusting and unbefitting of a elected official, reminds of time of the shah in iran when he named is too dogs shaikh and sayyid, this is something we should take action againist, please contact imam office in la, and inform sayyid kashamari .

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