Indianapolis, USA - The FBI's decision to bring in Robert Spencer, author of "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam," to discuss local anti-terrorism efforts has upset members of a national Islamic organization who call Spencer an "Islamophobe" who distorts their faith.
The FBI plans to bring in Spencer to speak to Indiana's Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Louay Safi, director of leadership development with the Islamic Society of North America, said that is akin to bringing an anti-Semite to talk about Jews or a Ku Klux Klan member to discuss race.
Spencer is also the author of "The Truth About Muhammad: Founder of the World's Most Intolerant Religion." He is also a director of Jihad Watch, a Web site that calls attention to the activity of Islamic jihadists.
That site includes his take on various writings by Islamic scholars and groups.
Safi said Spencer's writings take selected passages from Islamic writings out of context in an effort to prove the religion condones terrorism. He said the FBI's use of Spencer could reinforce views some Muslims hold that the bureau treats them unfairly.
"When they bring in someone like that it makes it difficult even for us to explain to the Muslim community that (the FBI) is neutral and is not listening to extremists who really hate Muslims," Safi said.
Spencer said he understands that a majority of Muslims are peaceful. But he said there is no mistaking that jihadists from Osama bin Laden to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi cite the teachings of Islam in rationalizing their attacks.
"Maybe Osama bin Laden is misusing the Quran, but the Islamic Society of North America has never formed a response to the way he misuses it," Spencer said.
Instead of facing up to the crisis within Islam, he said Muslim leaders too often aim criticism at those who point out these problems.