Houston senator boycotts imam's prayer
By TERRENCE STUTZ
The Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN – A Republican senator boycotted an opening prayer in the chamber by a Dallas Islamic spiritual leader on Wednesday, saying he didn't want his presence viewed as an endorsement of the man and his views.
Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, said while he had no problem with Imam Yusuf Kavakci delivering the invocation, he didn't want to be on the Senate floor during the prayer.
"It is important that we are tolerant of all faiths as a people, but that does not mean we have to endorse all faiths – and that was my decision," said Sen. Patrick, also a radio talk show host on stations in Dallas and Houston.
...
Sen. Shapiro dismissed the criticism of her invitation, noting that every other senator – Democrat and Republican – had no problem at all with the choice of Dr. Kavakci to give the daily morning prayer. "Our country prides itself on freedoms; the most relevant today is freedom of religion," Sen. Shapiro said in introducing Dr. Kavakci, one of her constituents.
Dr. Kavakci, born and raised in Turkey, is resident Islamic scholar for the Dallas Central Mosque in Richardson and is spiritual leader for the Islamic Association of North Texas, which serves more than 150,000 Muslims. Sen. Shapiro, who is Jewish, said she was asked about three months ago to authorize Dr. Kavakci's Senate prayer.
Sen. Patrick sought to clarify his actions by delivering a speech just before the Senate adjourned for the Easter weekend, saying he was "greatly impacted by what happened earlier today."
"In many parts of the world, Jews and Christians would not be given that same right" afforded Dr. Kavakci, he said.
This is an update on the story I posted the other day titled: A Pro-Khomeini Imam to Pray in Texas Senate...See link below...
Pertinent Links:
1) Houston senator boycotts imam's prayer
2) A Pro-Khomeini Imam to Pray in Texas Senate
Thursday, April 05, 2007
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