Award to LA Islamic Leader Hathout Sparks Dispute

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LA County's Human Relations Commission has made Dr. Maher Hathout the first Muslim to receive its award for humanitarianism, but the Jewish Community is divided over whether he is an extremist masquerading as a moderate, and some are demanding that the Commission rescind the award.

LA County's Human Relations Commission has made Dr. Maher Hathout the first Muslim to receive its award for humanitarianism.  The chair of the Islamic Center of Southern California has sponsored inter-faith dialogues between Muslims, Christians and Jews, but the Jewish Community is divided over whether he is an extremist masquerading as a moderate, and some are demanding that the Commission rescind the award. On Monday, the Commission heard a roomful of witnesses for and against its selection, a meeting at which LA Times says supporters outnumbered opponents 2-to-1. Meantime, the commission is looking at videotape, e-mails and letters from all over the country on both sides of the heated controversy. Next Monday, it will decide if it still wants to honor Hathout with the prestigious award.

Guests:

• Adrian Dove: President of the LA County Human Relations Commission
• David Lehrer: President of Community Advocates, Inc
• Jihad Turk: Religious Director of the Islamic Center of Southern California
• Daniel Sokatch: Executive Director of the Progressive Jewish Alliance

Host

Warren Olney

Considered the dean of Southern California broadcast journalists, Warren tackles the issues Southern Californians care about. Expanding that concept, To the Point deals with issues of national concern and is on air in most major metropolitan markets across the country. On any day, you’ll hear a fast-paced, news-based talk show featuring multiple perspectives on a single major issue, with Newsmaker and Reporters Notebook features, as well. 

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Produced by

Frances Anderton

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Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.