Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/editorial/14839134.htm

On June 18, 2006 a letter to the editor by Adeeba Al-Zaman, communications director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Philadelphia appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer: "As a practicing Muslim, I find Carlin Romano's commentary ('Daring to reject the cruelties and abuse of Islam,' June 4) at odds with the actual teachings and practice of my faith. Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the subject of the article, fails to make distinctions between teachings of Islam and the un-Islamic actions of particular groups or individuals. She fails to demonstrate that the complained-about misogynistic practices are grounded in Islamic text or accepted by Islamic authorities. She instead attributes widespread cruel and inhumane cultural practices against men or women to Islam. Muslims everywhere are horrified by these cultural practices. Those who engage in such practices may seek to legitimize their behavior by claiming Islamic sanction, but one cannot find support for their actions in the Quran or in the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad."