CBS2CHICAGO.COM: FRANKFORT, Ill. ― An anti-Muslim e-mail allegedly forwarded by an elected official is creating an uproar in the southwest suburbs.
The American Islamic Association invited pastors, rabbis and other religious leaders in its mosque in Frankfort to discuss an e-mail sent by Frankfort Township Assessor Paul Ruff.
The e-mail called on Muslims who want to live under Islamic law to "get out of the country."
Religious leaders say the sentiment presented in the e-mail demonstrates a dangerous lack of understanding.
"To make these kind of comments against a group of people who are so loving, and so caring – I was very, very offended by that," said Jan Shaulis, Christian co-chair of the Southwestern Interfaith Team.
"We need to go together forward, not by spreading hate, but by understanding and building bridges," added Khalid Mozaffer of the American Islamic Association.
The group also tried to meet with Ruff, but he declined to talk about the issue. [Source: Religious Leaders Infuriated by Anti-Muslim E-Mail: E-Mail Was Allegedly Forwarded by Frankfort Township Assessor]
CHICAGO TRIBUNE: Despite outrage from the local Muslim community, a Frankfort Township official did not apologize Wednesday for circulating an e-mail with anti-Islamic sentiments.
"The e-mail's basic message was that people coming to this country should adapt," Township Assessor Paul Ruff said in a statement. "This wasn't a hateful e-mail, but one that touched upon a sentiment in this country and around the world that immigrants have to adapt to their new homes."
Statements in the e-mail were attributed to former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who a few years ago ignited controversy with criticism of Islam and statements asserting that immigrants need to adapt to their new country.
Ruff said he did not write the content of the e-mail, and its origins were unknown.
The flap has drawn the ire of the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Chicago and members of a mosque in Frankfort, prompting residents and religious leaders to hold a town hall meeting last week to discuss discrimination against Muslims. Ruff did not attend the meeting. Frankfort Township Assessor Paul Ruff Stands By E-Mail on Islam, Immigrants: Official does not apologize for distributing missive in June >>> By Mary Owen, Chicago Tribune reporter | August 20, 2008
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