I will not start my letter by saying Dear CJ because you are not dear to me or to the local Muslim community of central Ohio. I just learned today that the Columbus Jewish (CJ) has a meltdown over last September 5's sermon given by Imam Abdulmunem Dobal and the Noor Islamic Cultural Center (NICC) in Hilliard and have falsely accused him of calling to bring "annihilation to Israel and its supporters." That was a big fat lie.

If the CJ was genuine in its claim and wanted to have a meaningful dialogue, they should have asked for clarification first instead of making a dishonest and defamatory statement. 

 Regrettably, what do you expect from a group who acts as a mouthpiece of Israel instead of representing the interest of the local Jewish community? Here is a list of a long harassment campaign by CJ against your truly:

* In 1979, I was kicked out of the Jewish Center despite being invited with our local Imam Adil Aseer for a lecture titled, "Face the PLO."  Reason? I was wearing "Kuffieh", the Palestinian victory scarf. Later CJ did apologize to me for fear I was going to go public but refused to issue a written apology.

* Throughout the 1980s, all my letters that was published in local newspapers were forwarded to the ambassy of Israeli in Washington, D.C.

* My letter in defense of Suha Arafat (the late Palestinian leader's widow) was forwarded by the office of CJ to the Israeli consulate in Cleveland, Ohio, with a note, "Should we respond to the letter, or you would rather, do it?"

* I did provide the local FBI office with the names, and dates, and copies of the aforementioned encounters.

* On the dreadful day of September 11, the Columbus Dispatch published a letter signed by the head of CJ in which he accused me without any proof that I support genocide bombing. I was then 17 years veteran with the USAFR and the Ohio Air National Guard, and my duffle bag was ready for deployment on a short notice.

* I am proud to say that two local friends Joe Levin (a former Jewish philosophy professor at OSU) and the late James Henson (a Christian lawyer and Korean War veteran) have written privately in my defense and blasted the Columbus Dispatch's editor for publishing a smear and liable letter from CJ. My friends stated, my letter did not in any way shape or form support or endorse suicide bombing. 

* When Columbus Jewish News (CJN) published one of my letters on May 2, 2024, titled "OSU protesters’ civil, religious rights were violated," the CJN was attacked and mocked by Rabbi Harold J. Berman of CJ and after that, CJN quit publishing any of my writing. 

 *After the US House of Representatives sanctioned the only two Muslim-American U.S. congresswomen (Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib) for criticizing Apartheid Israel and its treatment of Palestinians, CJ jumped the bandwagon. Talking about loyalty!

 * When the multibillionaire Elon Musk made the Nazi salute at an inauguration rally last January, CJ and Columbus Jewish community at large remained total silent. Give me a freaking break!

Where was CJ for the two years when both liberal and Jewish-American groups like Jewish Voice for Peace, Code Pink, and If Not Now were protesting the Israeli genocide in Gaza and the West Bank by picketing, marching, and occupying NYC train stations and the US Capitol? CJ is on the wrong side of history, and it is simply parroting the Israelis' talking points. 

 With over 60,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza including at least 18,000 children from October 7, 2023, to January 15, 2025, in addition, 17,000 children lost both of their parents according to recent data. This tragic figure has not moved you to take a moral stand to call for a ceasefire and end of the Israeli genocide. Perhaps, you would be happy to know that it is reported that a child is killed in Gaza every 45 minutes averaging about 30 children killed each day over the past 535 days. Please don't talk to me about your Holocaust anymore!

The truth of matter is the CJ is blindly supporting the Israeli genocide against Palestinians. Now is whining and complaining about Imam Dobal for doing a supplication that the genocide and forced starvation in Gaza come to halt and for God to punish the wrong doers.                    

* CJ has failed for the last two years to call for a ceasefire and for an end to the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Gaza.

* CJ attacked the ICC for indicting PM Netanyahu and his war minister for war crimes and crimes against humanity

* When Israel intercepted and ceased 40 vessels from 46 countries yesterday and kidnapped 497 peace activists (including 22 American citizens) who were on their way to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. CJ acted deaf, blind, and mute.

CJ never cease to. amaze me! They say "Our hostages" instead of the Israeli hostages. In addition, CJ keep talking about the Israeli hostages, but the group conveniently ignore to mentions anything about the over 16,000 Palestinian hostages. Why? Is the Israeli life more precious than a Palestinian life? Inquiring mind wants to know! 

 CJ ignore the fact many Jewish High School students  chose to enlist in the Israeli Death Forces (IDF) after graduation, instead of enlisting in the US armed forces. Those people have taken part in the Gaza genocide and massacres in Lebanon. Some of them were captured on October 7 while armed and in IDF uniform. In fact, you would be more accurate by calling them as "Israeli POWs" instead. That should be an affront to all veterans and patriotic Americans in Columbus, Ohio and the rest of America.

I find it ironic and shameful that Governor Mike DeWine and U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty would sound off on the subject on X on the very same day the Israeli pirates kidnapped 497 members of Sumud Flotilla (including 22 American citizens) but they both chose to keep their mouths shut. What a shame! Obviously, that's how politicians score brownie points with the Israeli lobby AIPAC. Putting their personal interests above principle.

 Finally, when it comes to respect, there are certain individuals who stand out above the rest and Imam Dobal is perhaps one of the most respected individuals in the state of Ohio. CJ is barking up the wrong tree, and the NICC is now rightfully calling on CJF to retract the false inflammatory statement and issue a public apology to Imam Dobal, NICC, and the Muslim community.

Mahmoud El-Youseph is a Palestinian freelance writer and retired U.S. Air Force veteran. He writes on U.S. foreign policy, Middle East affairs, and justice. Email: elyousseph6@yahoo.com

"Reach out for those who ignored you, give to the one who deprived, and forgive those who oppressed you." ~ Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him)