Letter to CCU President: "Invitation of known Islamophobe reinforces predjudice"

To: Mr. Bill Armstrong, President Colorado Christian University

We hope this message finds you well. We represent the Muslims living or working in the Denver Metro area and within neighboring Colorado cities.

It has come to our attention that Colorado Christian University will be hosting John Guandolo, today, September 8, 2014. Mr. Guandolo has a well-established reputation as an anti-Islam speaker.

Guandolo would deny people of faith like us the protection of the First Amendment. In 2012, he said mosques, “do not have a First Amendment right to do anything.”

In February, after consulting with those with first-hand knowledge of Guandolo’s anti-Islam training, Virginia’s Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy pulled its accreditation of him.

Unfortunately, Mr. Guandolo’s choice of rhetoric transforms the issue from one of education, to one in which the University is legitimizing Guandolo’s prejudice. We earnestly demand therefore, that this speech be cancelled in order not to jeopardize CCU’s reputation. Should you decide to press on with Mr. Guandolo’s anti-Islam messages however, we kindly request the extension of a like opportunity so that a representative from our community may address your audience for the sake of fairness.

We pray that you inform us of your decision to arrange such an event in the near future.  

We thank you in advance and appreciate your cooperation.

Coordinator - Colorado Imam Council
Imam Djilali Kacem
[email protected]