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In a statement that can be viewed on his website, Pence highlighted the need for someone with high character and someone who knows how to bring jobs to Indiana. There are numerous people that fit this description, but we believe the person that Pence will select is Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold.  Seybold is a small business owner and was first elected to the Marion City Council in 1999.  He was then first elected mayor in 2003.  He was re-elected in 2007 and 2011.  In the last eight years Marion has seen tremendous job growth.  In that time GM, Dollar General, and Indiana Wesleyan have added over 1,600 jobs.  Mayor Seybold has also brought jobs from overseas in part due to his travel with Governor Daniels.  These factors have contributed to a dramatic decrease in Marion’s unemployment rate.  As mayor, Seybold has executive experience.  This, combined with Pence’s legislative experience, brings balance to the ticket.

Additionally, in the recent 5th District primary, even though Seybold didn’t come out on top, he significantly raised his profile and his campaign received high marks from politicos and media types for staying positive in a race that became increasingly bitter as it drew to an end.  Don’t think that staying positive won’t be lost on Mike Pence.

Will Wayne Seybold be Mike Pence’s running mate?  We will find out soon when Pence makes his official announcement.  A website has been created for those that want to be included in the announcement when it first comes out.  That website can be accessed by clicking here.  Until the official announcement is made there will be much speculation.  Feel free to comment on who you think Pence will select.

Categories:

• Politics

Categories:

• Politics

Categories:

• Politics

He has sent out the following mass mailing urging support of female genital mutliation (clitorectomies).

Assalaamu alaikum, Brothers and Sisters.  
I would like to enjoin upon you all a call to action. Dr. Hatem Al-Haj is a respected scholar in the Muslim community. He is also a physician. He is currently being attacked by some people who are skewing his beliefs and opinions regarding female circumcision.

In this time of mass ignorance of and fear regarding the Islamic faith, please take a moment to visit this website to know who Dr. Hatem is, what his accusers are saying, and hear the opinions of the Shaykh in his own words.

Dr. Hatem Al-Haj's Website

If you agree that he has been misrepresented, please sign the petition. In a time when it is too easy to damage a person's reputation and credibility, I urge you to take a stand against this injustice.

Your Brother in Faith,

Dr. Main Al-Qudah
Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies
Imam, MAS Katy Center
Member, AMJA Fatwa Committee

"Dr." Al-Qudah also supports muliple wives. "Polygamy is permissible when justice between wives is guaranteed." Yeah, right. He's a real piece of work, this one.

The AMJA is Muslim Jurists of America. AMJA cautions Muslims against participating in the American Legal System and urges them to “Hate It in Their Hearts” (here).

Translating Jihad has more on the AMJA clitorectomy fatwa (via A. Bostom):

AMJA rulings also support the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), which the United Nations has called “a dangerous and potentially life-threatening procedure that causes unspeakable pain and suffering.” Fatwa #1639 from Dr. Hatem al-Haj justifies the horrific practice, saying:

[…] Some extremists from the west and their devout followers in the Muslim world like to brand all circumcision as female genital mutilation (FGM). For those, we say, why is male circumcision not MGM? Male circumcision is widely practiced in the west. Yet it would be considered by the Chinese MGM (Male Genital Mutilation).

 The benefits of male circumcision are beginning to be more recognized in the medical societies, even though still contested by a few. Fifty years ago, no one knew that male circumcision has medical benefits. The same could be true with female circumcision. They may figure out the benefits of the practice in fifty or five hundred years. […]

A concordant fatwa issued in Arabic (translation by Al-Mutarjim) on the website of the Secretary-General of AMJA and the chief member of its Resident Fatwa Committee, Dr. Salah Al-Sawy, declares that FGM is “an honor” for women:

But for the woman, the purpose [of circumcision] is the benefit that it has in lessening her lust, which is a wholesome request. There is no harm in removing it. In short, female circumcision is an honor (which) does not rise to the level of a duty, in clear language. Stated another way, it is neither forbidden nor required.

Another Arabic-language fatwa (translation by Al-Mutarjim) from Dr. Al-Sawy leaves open the possibility for offensive jihad against America and the West, as soon as Muslims are strong enough to do so. When asked whether “the Islamic missionary effort in the West…[was] to the point where it could take advantage of offensive jihad,” Al-Sawy ruled:

[…] The Islamic community does not possess the strength to engage in offensive jihad at this time. With our current capabilities, we are aspiring toward defensive jihad, and to improve our position with regards to jurisprudence at this stage. But there is a different discussion for each situation. Allah Almighty knows best.[emphasis added]

I bet he does.