Speaking Out For Muslims

By JOSH POLTILOVE The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 16, 2007

TAMPA - Ahmed Bedier is behind much of the publicity surrounding a new documentary premiering tonight about Sami Al-Arian's prosecution. It's Bedier's latest exposure to Tampa Bay area media.

He has been the face of the area's Muslim community for the past several years. As executive director of the Tampa chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which is co-sponsoring the film's Tampa showing tonight at 7:30 at the Tampa Theatre, Bedier, 33, has worked to dispel stereotypes and promote understanding of the Islamic community.

He is a go-to source for the media, and he receives about 50 to 100 calls a day from members of the community.

"It's a tremendous responsibility," he said. "You're constantly in the spotlight, and people are often critical on both sides."

People of many faiths say he is an eloquent leader - and not a person who hates.

But some of his critics question his organization's motives. They also disagree with Bedier's feelings about Israel and his continued support of Al-Arian.

In a post-Sept. 11 world, where Muslims face religious persecution and lack equal employment opportunities, Bedier said, he wants to step up to create a better, more open-minded world for his community and his two - soon to be three - children.

Bedier, who works about 80 hours a week, gained increased attention by taking up the Al-Arian case as a Muslim cause.

Al-Arian, a former University of South Florida professor, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to provide help to Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which is designated a terrorist group by the United States.

Bedier said he has never met Al-Arian but that he spoke up for the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

"A lot of people took it that I was Sami's spokesman or defender," he said. "I wasn't doing any of these things. I was defending the Constitution. I was advocating for due process."

Representing CAIR

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, was founded in 1994 and has more than 30 chapters. Its local chapter opened in January 2004, and Bedier was the first staff member in the office.

Some of CAIR's critics have tried connecting it to terrorist groups, but Bedier denies a link.

He said CAIR tries to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil liberties and empower the roughly 45,000 Muslims living in the Bay area.

Bedier also offers viewpoints during his weekly radio show, "True Talk," on WMNF, 88.5 FM, at 11 a.m. Fridays.

WMNF news director Rob Lorei said Bedier's on-air comments are open-minded. But Norman Gross, president of the nonprofit Promoting Responsibility in Middle East Reporting, said Bedier preaches "anti-Israel propaganda."

Jonathan Ellis, chairman of Tampa/JCC Federation's Jewish Community Relations Council, said Bedier does a good job representing the Muslim community. However, he disagrees with Bedier's stance on Al-Arian and Israel.

Bedier said he and his organization condemn terrorist acts and stand for peace. He has criticized the occupation of the West Bank and spoken against former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, but said he has never preached hatred toward Jews.

In a search of the LexisNexis research database, no stories could be found in which he preached hatred toward Jews.

He recently attended an interfaith retreat in Garrison, N.Y., with several members of the Jewish faith in attendance. He also is a founding member of Serving The One, an interfaith group designed to promote acceptance of all religions.

Kate Fagan, a Rabbinic chaplain at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, considers Bedier a friend.

"I don't believe he has racism in his heart," she said.

The Rev. Warren Clark, pastor of First United Church of Christ, said Bedier is a wonderful spokesman for Tampa's Muslim community.

"I see him as a real defender of a minority group that has been under real persecution and still is," he said.

Pilar Saad, a local Muslim activist, said Tampa's Islamic community is lucky to have somebody like Bedier.

"Even someone who might be on the opposite side would still find him charming," Saad said.

Adapting To America

Bedier moved with his family to the United States from Cairo, Egypt, when he was 9.

His family lived in East Lafayette, Ind., and his father took statistics classes at Purdue University. Bedier didn't speak any English, and it took him about six months to pick up the language. People picked on him, calling him a "camel jockey," among other things. He didn't know they were making fun of him.

He adapted.

Bedier took marketing classes at the University of Arizona but never graduated; he's currently taking online classes in history and comparative religious studies.

When he moved away from his parents, he also stepped back from religion. He concentrated instead on making money and exercising, and that's how he felt when he moved to the Bay area when he was about 23. Before coming to CAIR, he worked with computers, was operations manager for a dental group and opened his own dental laboratory.

He decided in 2000 to return to his faith.

"I didn't find my materialistic lifestyle that fulfilling anymore," he said.

He spent more time praying at a mosque, the Islamic Society of Pinellas County. Shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, he was quoted by the media for the first time. He had given some thought to becoming a cleric, but he said there was more of a need for a community activist and spokesman.

Pressing Muslim Issues

Bedier has played a significant role in several Muslim issues in recent years.

In early 2003, he condemned the war in Iraq. He said the U.S. attacks were unjust, a "display of power and arrogance" that should not take place.

In September 2004, he pushed for a University of South Florida women's basketball player to be able to wear a Muslim head scarf during games.

A few years ago, he asked Hillsborough County schools to declare the Muslim holiday Eid Al-Fitr a nonstudent day on the district's calendar. The school board instead approved a calendar without holidays for Yom Kippur, Good Friday or Eid Al-Fitr.

Bedier feared a backlash against Muslims, and his group later asked the board to reinstate others' religious holidays, even if the Muslim holiday was not recognized.

Perhaps the biggest media issue he has stood for, though, is Al-Arian.

With the documentary premiering tonight, he spoke up again. He said Al-Arian has served his time in jail and should be freed.

"He needs to be deported," Bedier said. "What's happening to him now, it's not fair because it makes America look bad."

Researchers Melanie Coon and Catherine Hammer contributed to this report. Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691 or jpoltilove@tampatrib

.com.