Jihad Watch: Fitzgerald: Mahdi Bray: Just a country Muslim from Norfolk, Virginia

Hugh Fitzgerald of Jihad Watch examines the two faces of Muslim activist Mahdi Bray: as folksy, ecunemically-minded, civically-oriented representative of the Muslim community (to dupe non-Mulsims) and radical Islamicist (to fellow Muslims).


Mahdi Bray

Bray, an American convert to Islam, has championed Omar Abu Ali, Abdurrahman Alamoudi, and Ali Al-Timimi, all of whom have been discussed here on Northern Virginiastan. He is a confirmed speaker for the fundraiser for Abu Ali and Abdulhaleem Ashqar to be held May 22 at the Sheraton Premiere Hotel in Tysons Corner.

Like our old buddy Shaker Elsayyed and Sayyid M. Syeed, Bray is a consummate multi-tasker, playing prominent roles in several Muslim organizations. He also uses his status to worm his way into other areas of influence:

"Imam Mahdi Bray is a long time civil and human rights activist. He is currently the Executive Director of the Muslim American Society (MAS) Freedom Foundation, and the President of the Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations (CCMO). He also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice and the Interfaith Alliance, and also on the Advisory Board of the American Muslim Council and Muslim Public Affairs Council. He is a Washington, DC, Television and Radio Talk-Show Host.

He has served as a major consultant and a political advisor to Bonner & Associates, Washington’s largest grassroots lobbying firm, the National Center for Housing Management, Alexandria City Redevelopment & Housing Authority, Community Relations Department, The City of Norfolk, Virginia, Department of Community Improvement, and the Independent Voter League. He has also served as a Political Advisor and Strategist, to several national, state, and local political campaigns. He is also the author of, ‘The Masjid (Mosque) Voter’s Guide’ and ‘The Political Guide for Masjid (Mosque) Activists.’"

Of particular interest here are the Washington, DC Muslim Community connections:

Muslim American Society (MAS) Freedom Foundation

Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations (CCMO) - no postal address supplied; I found it interesting that Afeefa Syeed's Al-Fatih Academy is listed as a member - another indication that she cannot plead ignorance concerning the centrality of dawah to Islam.

Washington, DC, Television and Radio Talk-Show Host - he hosts a radio program The Crescent Report

Bray is also the contact for the "National Islamic Prison Foundation" (NIPF) - a website for NIPF could not be readily found.