Bill O’Reilly screams at CAIR director who says he’s making up stories that Islam is causing ‘most intense terrorism’
Fox News host Bill O’Reilly battled with Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), during a segment focused the impact of radical Islamic terrorism around the world.
After reminding his guest that radical Islam has been identified as a motivating factor in the Boston bombing suspects’ decision to attack the Boston Marathon, O’Reilly asked Awad to explain why he is wrong to target radical Islamic groups in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Bill O’Reilly and Nihad Awad of CAIR battle over Islam, terrorism and the Boston bombing photo screenshot Fox video
Awad didn’t address the question and relayed his personal and emotional state following the attack and stated many Muslims aligned with him.
O’Reilly retorted “I don’t have time for a speech.”
“You have got to go back and forth with me, OK? You not admitting that radical Islam drives worldwide terrorism puts you in the category where you have no credibility because the facts are the facts. Ninety percent of worldwide terrorism is radical Islam, period,” O’Reilly added.
“Allow me to share with you what Islam means to me,” Awad was quickly interrupted.
“I don’t know what Islam means to you with all due respect. That’s not the topic,” the host shot back.
“I’m telling you that radical Islamists, under the banner of jihad, are causing the most intense terrorism the earth has ever seen and you’re denying it. So either you are naïve or I mean, you are just way out of touch. Do you not have a television set?”
Awad answered: “Bill, I think you are just making up some stuff about Islam.”
“Making it up?” O’Reilly asked.
Awad went on to explain that Islam is a “peaceful religion” and it is his faith. He also claimed “jihad” means a “legitimate struggle” in Islam.
CAIR was named an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation trial, the largest terrorism financing trial in U.S. history.
