Criticism of Muslim Student Association are unfounded

Rabbi Yonah Bookstein, who addressed the Associated Student Senate last week, has been seen disrupting several events hosted by Muslims at this campus and others.

I thought the line of work one undertakes as an adviser at the Interfaith Center is of promoting understanding and dialogue, yet Muslim students are forced to lookout for Bookstein’s disruptive behavior at events seeking to do just this.

In regard to criticisms of the MSA by Rabbi Bookstein:
Associated Students, Inc. requires student events receiving grants to note ASI co-sponsorship on all advertisements. There was no notification of this sort on any advertisement for Palestine Awareness Week. Why would Bookstein think ASI funds were being used?

No source was cited for the quotes allegedly taken from previous talks by Amir Abdel Malik Ali. If Rabbi Bookstein intended to imply something hateful was said and would be repeated, the concern might be more credible had the source and entire speech been presented, to ensure there were no questions of authenticity or allegations the quotes were taken out of context.

Please reconsider the credibility of those seeking to limit free speech rights of Muslim students at CSULB. Rather than simply believing the words of those seeking to incite hate and misunderstanding, try asking one of the neutral students or advisers who attended our event last week, because they were curious to find out what had members of Hillel so upset.

Better yet, keep in mind Ali will be returning to CSULB; what more perfect an opportunity to find out firsthand what it is he has to say!

Ma’asalama.

— Zahra Billoo, president of the Muslim Student Association

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