Radical Muslim activist Imam Adjem Choudary says the revolt in Egypt has "all the flavors of a Islamic uprising."
The last time Choudary was on the show, Eliot Spitzer confronted him, saying, "You are a violent and heinous terrorist." Click here to watch that video from Oct. 29, 2010.
Here is the complete transcript of Eliot's interview with Imam Choudary from last night's (2-1-11) Parker Spitzer:
SPITZER: For years now, Hosni Mubarak has held on to power with a simple threat - it's either me or Muslim extremists. Turns out he was wrong. What's going on in Egypt and Tunisia and in Jordan and in Yemen is a genuine democratic uprising. But there is one conspicuous absence, radical Islam.
Tonight we have a unique opportunity to talk with one of the leading voices of Muslim extremism. Joining us now from London, Anjem Choudary.
Welcome back, Mr. Choudary.
IMAM ANJEM CHOUDARY, RADICAL MUSLIM CLERIC: Yes, good evening.
SPITZER: Good evening to you as well.
I've got to be very direct with you, Mr. Choudary. You lost. There is revolution sweeping through the Arab world in the Middle East and the voice that is conspicuously absent is the voice that you espouse, radical Islam. How do you possibly explain that?
CHOUDARY: I don't believe that at all. And I don't believe that the Muslims in the streets in Tunisia, in Yemen, in Jordan, in Lebanon, in Egypt believe that either. I mean, you can look at the developments in Egypt today, a million people praying together, openly, publicly displaying the Islam, vowing to the black house, not to the White House, the chants of Allah is the greatest.
The calls for the Sharia can be heard, you know, in the streets of those countries where the revolution is taking place. This is an Islamic revolution. By your own analysis, your commentators say that the strongest force out there are the Muslim Brotherhood, and they are the ones most likely to take power in Egypt.
So I don't think that this is right at all. There are phases through which people go suddenly. You know on many of these countries, even Iran, Afghanistan, you know, Iraq before went through a nationalistic stage. But they've tasted nationalism, they've tasted dictatorship, they've tasted even freedom and democracy, and I think now they need to taste the Sharia and Islam, and I think - SPITZER: Mr. Choudary?
CHOUDARY: - that is the future.
SPITZER: Mr. Choudary, with all due respect, I certainly do not believe and I think very few people here believe that the Muslim Brotherhood is the most powerful force, as an alternative power center to President Mubarak in Egypt. The fact of the matter is, in Tunisia, in Egypt, in Yemen, what we see is an outpouring of educated individuals who want jobs, who want freedom, who want the freedom that they have seen in Europe and in the United States.
They are not embracing your form of theocracy in any way, shape, or form. What they want are the freedoms that have been promised to them by President Mubarak, but not delivered. But those are the freedoms of Europe and the United States. And it may be part and parcel of Islam, but it is certainly not the radical Islam that you espouse.
You are not even persuading your own populations at this point.
CHOUDARY: I totally disagree. I believe that there is an outpouring of resentment for the oppression that the Egyptian people and the Tunisians, et cetera, face certainly. We can agree about that. There is oppression, there is dictatorship, there is the hegemony of, you know, Mubarak and Ben Ali.
But the fact that these people now want the Americans, you know, to dictate to them or they want freedom and democracy, they can see what happened with the propagation of freedom and democracy with the B-52 bombers in Afghanistan. They can see what freedom and democracy has done to the people in Palestine.
They can see the Americans, you know, are trying their best to uphold people like Mubarak in order to look after their own interests, their economic and military interests. They're not concerned about the Muslims in the area.
SPITZER: Mr. Choudary –
CHOUDARY: These people don't know the freedom and democracy of America.
SPITZER: Again, with all due respect, I have not heard one word about Afghanistan in this revolution. I have not heard one word even about Hamas and the Palestinian cause. This is about the desires of Egyptian citizens to have freedom and jobs, the same concerns that run throughout populations across the world.
You are trying to impose upon them the concerns of radical Islam. That is simply not what this is about. This is about the economic well-being of the population in Egypt that has been suppressed by a dictator. And they want that dictator gone, but they would prefer the Egyptian army, which has been a stalwart force of the status quo, but they trust the army to radical Islam. And that has what has come through over the past few days. They are embracing the army, not radical Islam. This is clear to everybody who has watched.
CHOUDARY: Mr. Spitzer, I think that you need to get out of the CNN walls in which you live and not believe your own propaganda. We are in touch with people in Egypt, in Syria, in Lebanon. We know very well that al Qaeda have already entered en masse into these areas.
The Islamists are called for the Sharia, the scholars, you know, who - before called for an uprising people like Sheik Ayman al- Zawahiri, you know, and his videos and messages, people like Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad that were already calling for an uprising.
This is a response to those people and others. You know, and people are already saying that we need to release the Muslims, which has already been done on a large scale, from prisons. They are calling for the release of Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman.
You know this has all the flavors of an Islamic uprising. Maybe you don't see it with your eyes, but you need to look at it from my eyes and you need to have your ear to the ground in places like Egypt and the Muslim world.
We are the people who suffer, we know what the problem is, and we know the solution. The temporary solution may well be - the temporary solution may well be a transition government, you know, put in place perhaps with the help of the Americans, but eventually we can see, as in southern Iraq and Afghanistan, in Yemen, in Somalia, that this will transform when the people have time to reflect into an Islamic revolution.
And eventually we will see the Sharia - and I'll tell you something, this will be the beginning of the end of Israel and the American influence in the Middle East.
SPITZER: Mr. Choudary, perhaps the only thing you've ever said that you and I can agree on is that I spend too much time in the CNN studio. Other than that, I could not disagree with you more fundamentally.
Let me tell you something. When you look at what happened in Tunisia, this was an uprising of educated, middle class citizens, forming a new coalition government, bringing in to the new government, not the vestiges of the dictatorship of the past, but also not radical Islam.
They want a sophisticated government to generate economic growth. It is the same thing in Egypt and there has not been a single word about the Sharia being part of the new coalition government in Egypt.
You have Mohamed ElBaradei, who is a sophisticated, educated individual. He does not want to bring your form of law. He wants to bring economic progress, which is antithetical to what you want.
So I think you are the one who needs to listen to what's going on in the ground in Egypt and get rid of the rhetoric that you were trying to espouse very unsuccessfully.
CHOUDARY: Let me tell you something. If you are talking about the democracy and the freedom and the economic success which, you know, supposedly you want to propagate around the world which people see in America and Britain, well, I think that, you know, you have social and economic collapse.
You know, you have a huge, if you like, failure of the capitalist system way of life. People don't want liberal democracy. They look at your system, they see the trillions of dollars of debt, they see that people don't have the basic rights met.
You know we need a system - let's forget about the rhetoric. We need a system which provides the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter, which protects the life, the wealth, the honor, the mind of all of the citizens. Which treats people like human beings and gives a system which agrees with their nature and gives them prosperity.
I'll tell you something, the only system in the history of all of these nations which gave that and allowed the people to live together peacefully was the Sharia, under the Khilafah system. Not under democracy, not under freedom, and not under the dictators we see nowadays.
SPITZER: Mr. Choudary, with all due respect once again, even with the economic turmoil of the past several years here in the United States and in Europe, and throughout Asia, which of course has been a genuine problem, we are so far ahead of the dictatorships and the Islamic regimes that you have supported that have imposed nothing but destitution upon their populations.
And that is the reason across the world people desire to model their economic structures after what we have done here for 200 years, which is capitalism, freedom, tolerance. Again, the farthest thing that is possible one could imagine from what you espouse, which is dictatorship and a complete lack of tolerance.
So, again, I think facts would inform your argument. I really think. And by the way, why do you live in London? Why do you cherish the economics of London and Britain as opposed to returning back to some other country to proselytize?
CHOUDARY: Let me tell you something. The history of Africa itself best testimony and gauge what you are espousing. Countries like Sudan, Ethiopia were known as the true (INAUDIBLE) of Africa. Even Egypt was very prosperous under the Sharia.
Don't forget that this is a system which existed for over a millennium in the area. Only very recently have we had post (INAUDIBLE) and industrial revolution, a type of dictatorship, you know, which has been implemented by the way by the very masters in the west who are supposedly propagating freedom and democracy.
They're the ones who've been in control of those regimes. So, you know, on the one hand, if you're interested in the - if you like the well-being of the Muslims, you have - you would not have propped up Mubarak for so many years. On the other hand, if you look historically, we can find that under the Sharia, these regimes that have prospered when the Sharia was implemented.
And thirdly, I would say look, you know, I live in Britain because I was born here, I grew up here. But I don't believe that Britain belongs to David Cameron or Tony Blair, you know, or to Barack Obama. Britain belongs to Allah. And we will implement the Sharia in Britain.
As you may well know, the statistics show that the Muslims are the fastest growing community in the whole of Europe, if I think the world nowadays. There are more people embracing Islam than any other ideology. And even in Europe, for your information - for your information, if you don't mind me saying, you know, 30 miles south of France, the Sharia was implemented. In the whole of Spain, Austria, you know, Switzerland, places like (INAUDIBLE) Roads. Islam is not alien –
SPITZER: Mr. Choudary?
CHOUDARY: - to western civilization.
SPITZER: Mr. Choudary, if I could just add one more little data point, a fact that should inform you even in Lebanon, where Hezbollah has begun to play a role in the government, they are not embracing your vision of what government should be.
They have chosen a prime minister, their own choice, Mr. Mikati, who is specifically designed to be acceptable to western, European, and United States governments because they want to continue the economic process that Lebanon was making.
So even when Hezbollah, as close as you will ever get to a force for Islamic fundamentalism, taking over a government in the Middle East, even they are saying, we do not want to go where you want to go, Mr. Choudary.
I just don't think history is moving in your direction and I think when you look at the public in the Middle East, you've got to come to terms with that fact.
CHOUDARY: You know, let me tell you something. None of the regimes today in the world today, in the Muslim world, are implementing Sharia. We don't agree with what Hezbollah are doing as much as we don't agree with the Iranian regime or even the - you know, the Sudanese or the Saudi regime.
These people are still implementing non-Islamic law. We haven't had the Sharia implemented as an example, as a model until before 1924. But I can tell you something that in all of these countries, you know, they have failed to provide the basic needs for the people and, you know, if there was an election tomorrow between people like, you know, Hosni Mubarak or Ben Ali, and Sheik Osama bin Laden, I'll tell you something, Sheik Osama bin Laden would win and there would be a landslide.
SPITZER: All right, Mr. Choudary.
CHOUDARY: The fact is you only have one people in the elections nowadays in the Muslim world. No wonder they win.
SPITZER: Mr. Choudary, look, I think our sense of history obviously diverges so fundamentally, I don't even know where to start. The only thing I will say to you is thank you for showing up at the studio tonight.
You are wrong in your history and you're wrong in every other way, but thank you for being in the studio tonight.
CHOUDARY: You're welcome. And I think that we should read our history from an Islamic perspective.
SPITZER: All right. I will send you some books to read, sir.
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That Muslim invites you to practice Islam very kindly.
The problem is that if you don't convert to Islam at the end he might kill you.
Where is the freedom of choice?
this guy chaudry is an insult to the brave people who did the uprise in tuisia and egypt!!
thanks for slamming him!
What is the point of inviting this guy Chaudary. Eliot Spitzer, you couldn't be more stupid, for giving this guy even a minute of airtime. Waste of time, energy and national resources....what a shame...Intolerable cruelty.
Thank you for telling Choudary like it is, especially asking him why he lives in London. I'm glad you had him on (annoying as he is) because he looks like a deranged person in the backdrop of this historic event in Egypt.
Thanks Mr. Spitzerfor standing up with the Egyptian people against this idiot.... I really can not find any logic in what is he saying ... He spent a lot of his time in front of Youtube. By the way I am a Muslim.
I can not stop laughing on this idiot's logic.
Giving that fool any air time makes CNN a bigger fool!
I can not agree with you more,Egyptian have one agenda which is freedom for its people,the last thing on any Egyptian mind ,is to hear that crazy rhetoric talk,thank you for correcting him over and over,the only thing i can say that Imam Adjem Choudary and Mubarak do not get it...
Get this clown off the air right now. He and his views are less than marginal in the muslim world. I am a religious muslim and I have no idea where he is getting this crap from
mr.spitzer, i dont know why you let this guy speak...he does not represent arabs, he does not represent egypt or jordan HE DOES NOT REPRESENT MUSLIMS at all, we are more clever and peaceful than this radical fake!!!
oh by the way , how many time he said let em tell you something?
Why do people keep giving this Choudary a venue for his face on TV – he is so ridiculous. I wish the feminist muslim women would take up arms against these idiots holding them down.
Why do you even give so much time to people like Chaudry, by doing so. you guys at CNN are promoting them, giving the time to promote themselves.
This man is serious extremest. He is NOT Islam. And it is forbidden for men to wear gold yet he flashes that ring he is wearing!
This stupid guy is shia, antbirds is why he is wearing golden ring. GOD helps us with those kind of stupid people
He is not Shia. Everything he preaches is in direct contradiction of the theology of the Ahl-ul Bayt. Don't make false assertions.
He is wearing a silver ring, as it is the sunnah of the messanger Mohammed s.a.w.
It is not gold.
Mr. Spitzer, thanks a lot for your words of wisdom tonight in confronting this delusional "Muslim" who is clearly trying to take advantage of the secular youth uprising in Tunisia and Egypt. I couldn't have said it better than you, and I am Muslim.
Good job Spitzer...nice to see some straight forward criticism of this lunatic. Very nice...send those books.
This guy doesn't represent Muslims at all. This is guy is Shia which is different than Sonia, and it is BIG difference. Shia say that they are Muslim but they are not and they don't represent Islam. This guy is Shia and Shia is Iran , and all Sonia Muslims don't agree about what he says and don't agree Iran.
IS the imam confuse? what kind of islam are alshabab doing in somalia? can you ask him how much he really knows islam? personal freedom was one of the things the prophet was preaching and clearly in the quran it says it is up to what you want do in this live as long you arenot hurting others.
Blood is thicker than water. any muslim who practiced islam is my brother. "personal freedom was one of the things the prophet was preaching and clearly in the quran it says it is up to what you want do in this live as long you arenot hurting others"-where is your personal freedom? it is only for muslim not for us Christians.You are free to practice wherever you want in this world that's the meaning. You are not allowing us to propagate our faith in your country or area. we will be beheaded if we do so. is it not hurting your fellowmen? We are infidels to you it is in the quaran.
Elliot, give him hell! What a disgrace to all of the Egyptian people and what they are doing for themselves. Chaudry should not have even been invited on the show to speak tonight. Yes, he is wrong. I hope CNN has the good sense to NOT invite him back!!!!! My heart goes out to the Egyptian people.
Thank u Julie for supporting us. I would like to inform that guy doesn't represent us, and he is far a way of Islam. This guy doesn't know what he is talking about. This guy is Shia and represent Iran. Iran the biggest mistake in middle east and no one like Iran.
KUDOS Mr Spitzer....... Loved Loved your confrontation with that Moslim Radical guy......
Your questions and comments were right on!!! Who would vote for Sharia law?
This is the Mr Spitzer that I remember! I hope that your show takes this venue more and stops
with the other segments, Great Show tonight!!
Wow – what an impressive confrontation with Choudary. Thanks for being exceedingly prepared for the interview and for your job!
This Chaudry is a hypocrit, ignorant and a total disgrace to the brave educated youth of Egypt who are screaming for freedom, democracy and economic prosperity. People like him not only had disgust us with their rotten ideology but also had caused us harms and should be banned from talking on public TV so that they know that nobody is interested in hearing their idiocy. Thanks for your strong comments!
I am a Western educated Egyptian living in the U.S. Most of my friends are in these demonstrations back in Tahrir Square. They are all secular and liberal...this guy's claims are an insult to all the heroes fighting for the same liberties that the Western world has.
As a practicing American Muslim who's heart is with the people of Egypt in their freedom revolution, I would like to say that Adjem Chaudry is a pathetic idiot who does not understand his religion. I have memorized the Quran, and I can tell you that he does not represent true Islam and is a disgrace.
Omar, when I hear people with your background speak as you do about radicalism I am very proud to be an American at your side. All people want is freedom, safey, and peace. All of our religious leaders, prophets of old that spoke so long ago, teach the same thing...how to live so we can live in peace and love with each other and become our highest potential, if we choose, of reflecting God in all we do.
I read your comment Richard, I feel very good when I see how people like you think. All the religion came from
One source and we must respect all of them , and all of them talk about peace. This Choudary is FAR away of Islam, he is Shia. Shia call themselves Muslim but they are not, there are big difference between Shia and Sonia. This guy represent Iran. Iran is Shia and they are far of Islam, we don't and we never agree with how they think. This guy is a shame of Islam.
Congratulations! Eliot Spitzer blew a hole in the tired rhetoric/smoke screen of radical Islam (as espoused by Adjem Choudary) that the Mubarak regime has hid behind for years to convince the US that only the Egyptian president can keep at bay. Let's give it a rest and let the Egyptian people construct a government by the people, for the people.
This is the most outrageous thing I have ever seen on CNN. When did Glenn Beck get hired back by CNN? Spitzer sounded like a desperate, angry, uninformed, zealot. He had his behind handed to him. I hope CNN backs off this Islam bashing and absurd flag waving demagogy. It is truly an embarrassment. CNN could not have made this so called "radical cleric" Mr. Choudry look more reasonable and measured. Shame on you.
This guy is incredible... where does he get his history? The last time Egypt was prosperous was under the King, before dictators took over. He says Sharia law will treat people with humanity? Is it humanity to cut a person's hands? Lapidate women? etc...? He should wake up and brush up on his history!
Great fast paced interview with Choudary. Spritzer did a wonderful job and this what good news tv is about. We need more content and less banter. I think you gave Eliot too much coffee before the broadcast. It worked. Keep up the good work. TG
Totally agree with your comment. Great job Elliot is doing
Spitzer, did you hear Choudary? He said Britain belongs to Allah! Doe not Britain belong to Britons and the system THEY choose!? I liked how you kept pounding Choudary that his view on the process in the Midlle East is driven by radical islam. Keep up the good wok!
Elliot, I could see your tongue have cramps every time you addressed satan (Choudary) as "Mr. Choudary". You are, as usual, so prepared and capable to go toe to toe with this terrorist as you are anyone. You really impress me and please let me thank you for having Choudary on so you could point out his inner demons. Good Show.
Thumbs up Eliot Spitzer for putting this guy in his place. Shariah law is a frightening draconian system that would make Mubarak look tame were it put in place. At least half the population would say no thanks: Egyptian women. This guy is a kook!
The problem with the mainstream media they tend to invite controvesial Figures to light up the fire. Why you never invite the real Schollar of Islam and get the real information? We should read the history and not wait to be told. Peace.
Mr. Spitzer, I have enjoyed your show until today, when you decided to down grade your show and invited a lunatic from Britain, who claims to be muslim. That guy is disgusting and does not represent Islam or muslims. That retard didn't deserve that air time nor was worth my time. Mr. Choudhry is not only jacked up in the head, he is also someone who should be caged and kept on leasch. Spitzer, you know better and shouldn't invite such disgraceful people, especially when they have nothing to do with subject. Egyptions are fighting for change and better future, not for religion or redical society. Thank you.
Excellent question Parker – why is this moron residing in Britain? Because he like his other members of his tribe want to enjoy the freedom and the western lifestyle. Let him try to enjoy his freedom in Bangladesh, Pakistan or even Iran or in the caves of Tora Bora. People like him want to have it both ways – please just ignore them because they try to use the freedom to propagate his type of Islam. His must have been kidding when he says that Islam provides freedom – we know what kind of freedom – does he know that in countries like Iran and Pakistan moslem minorities like Ahmediyas are not even considered molems and are persecuted and hounded out.
you don't get it people!!! Radical muslim/terrorist are everywhere. They are free. But we Christian or even if you are a aethist we have no place in their country muslim country.We are not welcome we will be beheaded if we do that. But muslim can propagate their faith wherever they maybe. Exceptions are if you have a blue passport but other people you are not
What a professional interview you have done today Mr. Spitzer. Very well done and civilized conversation, even though the cleric is definitely wrong in all senses. Glad to see CNN doing great journalism. You and Anderson are making a big difference in today's 24 hours news. Again thanks for bringing civility, well addressed interviews (even with nuts) and above all journalism to us. Thanks!
I am Egyptian Muslim and I would like to say that guy Imam Adjem Choudary doesn't know any thing about the history , the demonstration in Egypt is about economy, jobs for unemployed youth who has higher educations. This man and his extreme ideas do not agree with it or any Muslim-approved.People in Egypt, a Muslim, he does not want is a decent life. Muslim Brotherhood moderates and they are not such as Iran. Brothers do not agree on what is happening in Iran. They want social justice and freedom, like all Egyptians.
@Willy: I am assuming that you are in the States? 'agree totally with your comment. I just returned from Cairo in Nov. ... wasss suppose to return to my husband in a month.
Elliot.....It has been far and few between when I've heard commentators and/or newsmen/women actually CHALLENGE the rubbish that come out of the mouths of those interviewed. On your show tonight, I finall witnessed someone with the cajones to get right back in their delusional faces. It's long overdue and more of you should do this with our own politicians as well. Thank you!
Hi, I'm an Egyptian Muslim living in the US I want to be clear that the revolution in Egypt don't have any religious roots it's about freedom and living with dignity and hope without fear. Also, Muslim brotherhood are conversation group but aren't extremist and they aren't the majority of the Egyptian people. These protesters aren't just Muslim there are lots of Christian between them. Mr. Spitzer please tell your guest don't pollute this revolution with your radical ideas. Most of the Egyptian people are moderate and want to live a good peaceful life.
Mr. Spitzer-
Thankyou for standing up to that arrogant under educated zealot this evening on your program. Your comments were incisive and correct..... but above all you were able to say exactly what most Americans would love to say to him. Clearly you are not one of the talking heads littering the CNN landscape. Again thankyou
The Cairo airport is overloaded and when they do get flights, they are stranded in European countries... Now we have a snow storm moving through and numerous flights are cancelled in the U.S. ... This week isn't getting any better! Are there any organizations that can help, financially? I have tried so many places and am desperately needing to get my Egyptian husband out of Egypt???
As a Muslim i was outraged with this guy, he does not represent the peaceful Islamic values and teachings.
Mr. Spitzer,
You did a great job with thid idiot Choudary. Egypt uprise against corruption. Mubarak and his family and friends stole the Egyptian people wealth. In billions and billions fo dollars. This Choudary should not talk about Egyptian not even about Islam. He is destoying the image of Islam. The Egyptian people will never let the Muslim brotherhood to be in charge of the government. GOOD job Elliot
Elliot. I am a moderate American Egyptian and Muslim, and I am absolutely insulted that you would even have someone like this on your show. This individual is completely disillusioned and an insult to Islam, Britain and everything else with which he relates himself. Islam is a tolerant religion, a message which is desecrated by radicals such as Choudary. If you choose to have a radical lunatic such as this individual on your show, I suggest you at the very least invite a more moderate Muslim who is more in touch with reality (and Islam) to counter his unusual and atypical opinions.
Thanks Parker for the way you cornered this clerk. The Middle Eastern are done with people like him. We no longer can tolerate these fundamentalists.
Ireally didn't get what this chaudhry guy wanna tell he was himself little confused looks like he was more concerend about the sharia law rather then the actual crisis in egypt don't let these guys have your precious time on air, and really appreciate your intellectual skills the way you presented your side keep it up
Good Job with the interview. People like choudary shouldn't be allowed to talk about Islam.he is a hypocrite with extremist views. I am a muslim canadian and I find his presence on the screen talking about islamic vision for my country is quite offensive. As a muslim and Egyptian Canadian I want to see a secular democratic future for my home land. A place where people like Choudary don't exist.
This is the same BS I kept hearing over and over in Egypt as I grew up. Islamist praise Islam as being a Autocratic and Just way of governing. well, what is new Mr. Chaudry? Azhar had lots of influence under Mubarak and was monitoring and censoring all cultural activity. Islam as a law failed as Mubarak did and should not be discussed further. This is a revolution of the young educated people please dont steal their dream of freedom over and over again.
what is the freedom of the world dominating movement called Islam? stop lying to the west who only see your face lift version of Islam (Mecca phase) when Mohamed was out numbered and was seeking help from Jews and Christians to support his neew movement. I lived and suffered in Middle east seeing the real brutal face of true islam (Madina Phase) when mohamed grew strong and massacared his Christiand and jewish allies.
Please stop the influx of more musilms to North America. I dont want to discriminate against any religion then again it is not a religion and it is dangerous to think it is. it is a political movement and seeks destruction and domination of the western world. why is all the islamic Heaven countries in the gulf weak and corrupt? who do they blame? why come here to change atheist's beliefts. Stay in Saudi Arabia and change it to the better if you are sincere. I love all muslims and wish they wake up. Have nothing against people, just the Jihadist Idea.
The cleric preaches that Islam is not a peacful religion. If the muslim brotherhood takes over Egypt they will eradicate the 12 million christians that currently live in Egypt. It is the largest christian population in the middle east. A new leader must be chosen with human interests and not religious interests in mind. We must keep in mind that the protestors are both muslims and christians trying to live a better life for themselves and their families. There has been too much corruption within the Mubarak government which is the point of the protest. The muslim brotherhood are trying to take advantage of the situation.
Regardless of who may be closer to the truth, it seems imprudent, disrespectful and anti-democratic to conduct an interview the way this one was directed.
Agree completely.
Iran is Shia and they are not Sonia, and there are very BIG difference between Shia and Sonia. Sonia don't believe in Shia. All Egypt are Sonia. Sonia represents peace Muslims.
Dear Willy,
The Wahabi are not peacefull, you need to read more my friend
Dear John, Wahabi is a part of Shia, but it is not Sonia, and I agree with u and I never said that Wahabi is a peaceful. Sonia is a peaceful.
Sonia don't agree with Wahabi or Shia. Sonia is different than both of them. Wahabi is not a religion, it is a movement.
I am very impressed with Mr. Spitzer and would hate to be an opponent. Mr. Chaudry was crushed in this discussion. I suggest getting stronger opponents.
thank you mr Spitzer for knowing that this guy called chaudary is WRONG in every way perhaps even his own believes and way of life. to me this guy appears to be in support of terrorists and there beliefes..if it was up to me i would declar him a non muslim.. i hope he gets arrested someday soon INSHAA ALLAH
Why would you provide an opportunity for an idiot like Adjem Choudary to speak unbehalf of "muslims." What is your intent and purpose here? Is there a hidden agenda by choosing this "imam." Thanks for using your program to fuel hatred? maybe you should have also invited Pat Robertson and some of the other radicals too. I can see the smerk in your face. Shame on you!
Mr Choudary claims the islamic movement is growing in Europe and the US. the only reason he feels like this is because he himself lives in a free society. I wish he would let the Christian or Jewish or any other religion live the same way he lives in England in the middle east and then he will see who is going to grow more. thank you, Greg ps the only reason Hezboula agrees on what is going on in Lebannon is that Israeli won the last war and brought 25, 000 UN forces to the South.
Hello Parker
I like to know why you are wasting your, my and CNN's time on some loser like Adjem Choudary. This guy seems to think that him and his group are the only normal humans that should exsit on this planet. Real Islam is about respect, and friendship. Islam teaches to respect other holly books that were send down to earth bo God. Why is this guy living in London or i should say why is he living freely in London he should go and join his buddy Bin Ladan somewhere in a mountain. I don't think there is anything wrong with the new government in Labanon or the government in Iran. The only problem this loser with these 2 countries is because they are Shia's. These muslim "Sunnie brothers" think that they are the only ones that they should exsit on this plant.
This is coming from a muslim like myself so do us a favor and don't have this loser on your show again.
Elliot, sorry I had to post twice here today. I cannot get over how well you voice your (and mine) opinion with Choudary.
I think this interview was one of your finest and couldn't have been better if Mozart had put it to music.
You nailed Imam Adjem on ALL points, Mr. Spitzer. Especially when you challenged him on the fact that the Egyptian youth, and even Hezbollah do NOT adopt his twisted view on how these nations ought to govern themselves. This is 100% accurate!!! I'm an American Muslim and I assure you that the overwhelming majority of Muslim youth are ultimately interested in a secular government. Although I urge you not to bring him on the air in the future in order not to give him a platform to spew hatred and nonsense.
Thank you so much for cornering him and not letting him reinforce the idea many misinformed Americans have about Muslims. I admire your journalistic integrity. American news channels will be a much more civilized place with more people like you. You were polite, concise, convincing, and most of all respectful, none of which I would be if I were to debate this man. And you've gained a fan today.
Mr. Spitzer,
You did a great job with this idiot Choudary. Egypt up rise against corruption. Mubarak and his family and friends stole the Egyptian people wealth. In billions and billions for dollars. This Choudary should not talk about Egyptian not even about Islam. He is destroying the image of Islam. The Egyptian people will never let the Muslim brotherhood to be in charge of the government. GOOD job Elliot. Please next time invite good scholar who knows about Islam and Egypt. Thanks
I agree. Choudary's an idiot.
what about the 10 million oppressed Coptic Orthodox Christians who live in Egyprt. Will they have a voice?
Bravo, Spitzer! Very impressive counter to this extremely articulate and intelligent lunatic. I have come to look forward to your show because of your knowledge and professionalism.
I consider myself a practicing Muslim American that would like nothing more for people to receive the ‘CORRECT’ version of Islam. In 2011, we have a number a great cleric’s in the west, such as Suhaib Webb, Hamza Yusuf, Zaid Shaker, Yassir Qadhi, Sherman Jackson and the list goes on. I do not understand why CNN can’t interview these Imams? These Imams were born in American and spent majority of their life learning about Islam. They could provide a perceptive that average American would not know. I urge and challenge you “CNN” to bring these fresh minds in the air and let them speak. They speak on behalf of most Muslims.
Bravo, Mr. Spitzer, for standing up to cleric Idman Adjem Choudary! This person is just repeating what most of the radical islamic community has been saying all along. With the uprising that occured first in Tunisia, and now in Egypt, as well as the Jordanian King's comments today for reform, you can expect a lot more of these radicals coming out and stating the same nonense. They are all going into a panic mode because they see their power slowly being diminished. More and more the repressed people living in countries such as, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, and other similiar places, are learning through the internet what is really going on in the world. They are finding out that their leaders have been lying to them all along all the while getting richer and more powerful at their expense. The civilized world needs as many people as possible to stand up to these guys, to not let them walk away from any public interview with their heads held up high as if victorious. They are experts with their words and up until recently, have been able to gain sympathy to their cause, and make no mistake, their aim is to turn this world into an islamic state, one which would take everyone back thousands of years to the barbarian days. There are plently of Arabs and Muslims who do not believe, nor, follow, what these radicals are spewing. There are many who are against the terrorism these radicals live by. There are many who are against suicide bombings and cutting off heads. The more people and heads of states of other countries as in Europe, North America, Asia, etc., stand up to these Ayatolla wanna bees, the more you will see their retoric increase in their desperation to keep hold of their power. The civilized world, must open their eyes and stop being fearful of what it would do to stand up to these people. They are snakes, and so far, the civilized world has been handling them like a mouse. To take hold over a snake, one must be a bigger snake, not a little mouse. So, again, I say good for you for not falling into the trap.
Hope Ms. Parker is feeling better and returns to the show soon:) Night all! Fi Aman Allah
I agree with you John that Muslim brotherhood and all the political parties are trying to take advantage of this event but I believe that the Egyptian people now know the power of their voices and nobody willn't let these people destroy what they have done. Also I'm a Muslim and I know lots of people in Egypt who are consider themselves as Muslim brotherhood but there aren't as extremist as you think.
I am a Muslim and Egyptian, I agree with Spitzer's summary about the the social and economical human rights intentions of the Egyptian revolution.There are even non-Muslims protesting in it. And I completely disagree with today's guest and wonder what is the reason for his speech.He is not Egyptian or represents the Muslim brotherhood. Although I am not with the Muslim brotherhood. However I am sure that they are different than the thoughts of this guy.... and I advise you to make a phone call with one of them rather than getting someone from the UK who is pretending than he has the same thoughts and pretending that he is have connections with some people there in Egypt.. this is not acceptable.
May be he shouldn't have the freedom he is having to say what he's sayings (according to his law) since he's in a european country . As a Christian I wouldn't have a chance to say half what he say or non at all if I was in a Muslim country . So he contradict himself . Thanks spritzer for smoooooking him tonight
Spitzer, do you have any idea how arrogant you sound?? Who are you to tell Choudary what happened in Tunisia or the history of the Islamic world? I am absolutely no fan of Islamists like Choudary, believe me, but why bring him on if your only purpose is to diss him? What purpose does that serve? Why get so shrill and defensive? I was wondering what you are doing at all on CNN but then thought you you actually haven't done too bad a job – 'till it got to Egypt. You are waaaay over your head – as are most of your US anchors. So sadly US-centric.
Spitzer is obviously obsessed with Muslim Brotherhood, so what if they come as a part of new regime in Egypt? Are they so much different from evangelist in Congress?
When I first tuned in and saw who the guest was I was disgusted and thought it was an outrage to even consider having this guy on the show. Wow, was I wrong! Spitzer very professionally and calmly, but thoroughly, refuted every point Chaudry tried to make. I owe you an apology for prejudging tonight's show. I believe this will be judged as Spitzer's firt true "test" under fire and will be a turning point for him on this show and his "come back" in the politcal arena. This all coming from a southern republican moderate (if there is such a thing). Go Spitzer go!
Spitzer did a great job with Choudary. I loved that interview and am replaying it for my husband. The Muslim extremist position is a losing position. I really liked it when he pointed out that Choudry lives in London! What a hypocrite.
Eliot was great on both interviews
Eliot,
As a Muslim, I thank you for standing up to this guy. I could not think of more evil than his kind of people . They are bad image for Muslims and Islam. I lived in Egypt for half of my life and I don't think the Egyptian people- including the Muslim brothers- will welcome radicals as such.
Choudry had one valid point though...America isn't exactly model for freedom and democracy.
spitzer i really enjoyed watching this interview and i want to know when this will be posted online so i can watch it over because I forgot to record it because it was to good... and does anyone know how to access this video again if its online yet
Spitzer, I missed tonight's interview with Choudary, but I watched your last one with him in October. When will you be posting the video? Please do it soon!!!! I really wanna watch it!!!
GREAT INTERVIEW.. Thanks for exposing THE TRUE DIRECTORS BEHIND THE EGYPTIAN RIOTS... I'm proud I finally found hope in 1 American reporter who gave chance to such true -but ugly- information to be out to the light
Truely, Mubarak has been there for ages, and it's time to leave.
Truely, the Egyptian population has been suffering on all aspects of life and democracy
Truely, Egyptians need renewed leadership and hope in more balance,
BUT,
It's also true that Islamic radicals are expanding to the deep roots of the Egyptian population.. This guy was saying the truth...
It's also true that they're brainwashing the modest population to hate all Western countries and of their allies
It's also true that they've been very targetted in releasing their militant leaders from prisons and in burning their criminal records from the internal ministry of justice during those riots (as they burned the whole floor that contains the records)
IT'S ALSO TRUE THAT "LYING" IS PERMITTED WHEN IT'S AN ACT OF WAR TO BE ABLE TO DECEIVE YOUR ENEMY (AS PER THE QURAN )
So,, watch out .. A FULL 80M population CANNOT BE THAT ORGANIZED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the few millions on the streets are JUST A FRACTION of the population in Egypt, as there are other 80,000,000 Egyptians who are staying home to hold on to any remaining peace in Egypt. Those voices have to be heard as well.
Why even have Mr. Choudary on the show? He's so outside the mainstream Muslim voice that he sounds ridiculous. I think we give him too much attention and credibility to have him on a show such as yours. He's clueless and if he's not, we're really in trouble. I've seen Fareed Zakaria interview him and he spewed the same garbage there as he did on your show. Let's hear the voices of moderation. It serves the subject of Egypt's revolution better too.
This is an example of how religion can be portrayed in a negative way. Everyone should have the right to believe in their own religion. With that being said, religion should not be pushed upon anyone like it is in this video clip. To believe one's religion is the only religion in the world, and to forcefully put it on others is wrong. Religion, throughout history has caused many wars, and this is another example of this. Religious people, of every religion, need to be aware that there are other religions and not just their own. This is Stubbornness.
Watching this guy on TV makes me believe Glenn Beck has a point
Well done Parker. I loved your questions. very clever. Please continue the good work to show people the truth.
I wish I had the opportunity to be in your place and say one thing to Mr. Choudary....
You don't like our model??? So please leave and go back to your country where you can practice you Shareea. We are sinners and we didn't ask for salvation.
I was deeply concerned about Md Choudry's points, some of which were being overlooked by Spitzer in the attempt to convince him that all the people protesting want American style Democracy
What I did hear Choudry say was that they would use the medium of the election to achieve what they need. If you think this is ridiculous READ YOU HISTORY OF WORLD WAR II. Many well meaning people elected Adoph Hitler and the National Socialists and later regretted it when those elections ceased and he became a fascist dictator, By then it was too late. There is true danger inherent in all democracies including our own
Honestly and sadly I take what Choudary was saying very seriously. When Mubarack leaves in September the radical muslims will take over and they will implement their law against the people, muslims and christians! If you noticed Choudary said there's already a lot of al queda presence in Egypt and they are the ones that let the prisoners out of jail (NOT THE GOVERNMENT). He also made a threat against Israel. He also said that this uprising has been planned for a while in Egypt. Choudary actually admitted to these things yet we're still blinded by the "peaceful" protests where everyone is just saying they want peace, freedom, etc. This will not happen and the county will only get worse! The protests began in Egypt as just the people wanting freedom but now the radical muslims play a big role in them for sure. Just look at the faces in these protests I would say 80% of them are radical muslims if not more. This is going way out of hand, Mubarack is not a bad leader like they're making it sound. He has made some mistakes in the past but who hasn't? He is one of the greatest leaders Egypt has had and i'm glad he's not stepping down!
I like Choudary's kuffi. Very stylish.
if look at this discussion from a purely objective point of view, this guy Anjam Choudhry makes a valid argument.
The west with its economic model and way of life has only survived for few hundread years and now collapsing.
The Sharia law is an alternative which many probably dont even know what its about hence are jumping to conclusions
You can keep the sharia law to yourself
This interview was an absolute disgrace. Spitzer brought him on only to throw insults and Choudary had no business getting any airtime in the first place. This played right into the fearmongers on the right and cheapens what the Egyptian people are actually accomplishing with a secular revolution. Spitzer and Choudary deserve each other – this interview was disgusting
Agreed. I was ashamed to watch Spitzer's attempt at an "interview." What I heard from Spitzer fed the minds of ignorant Americans who think Choudary is a true representation of Islamic intentions. It made me cringe to hear him speak on behalf of America no matter what Choudary had to say. Unnecessary. Shame on Spitzer and CNN.
Purposefully, parker and spitzer bring this mentally retarded man to speak on behalf of muslim and make muslims seem barbarian and crazy, as the whole world has witnessed two revolutions in tunisia and egypt and none of these has been initiated by any radicals or religiously motivated, just simple common people wishing good life for their family and children, I hope next in libya, jordan, saudi Arabia, all the oppressed people through out the world.
please do not bring this man on your show and I call upon muslim organizations in England to prosecute this Phonetic Chawdry in British legal system, If I am living in England I would sue him for distorting religion and advocating violence by using my religion.
sin
as you can hear from his out of touch to the reality and schizophrenic Chawdry , said " people one million bowing to black house not white house", I have never heard that meca called Black house this is an insult to muslim created by crazy retard and religiously disturbed person and they should send him back to pakistan to practice his religion.
Mr Spitzer and Ms Parker , please do not bring him on TV , just silly to have this Crazy man unless you are liking what he is saying.
dear spitzer i think you are right and mr choudry is wrong simple
Yes! Call them out. Just like the Tparty – because they're loud and threatening doesn't mean they represent the majority. You did a good thing by putting them in proper perspective.
Although Choudary is odious, I do not object to giving him a platform if there is something that he has to say that adds to the discourse, but on this particular show, he had nothing but propaganda to spout. What was the point?
Mr Parker how can you be so sure that hezbollah which is a religious group will not install an iranian regime and a mullah in Lebanon? besides Lebanon was a democracy which is turning into a theocracy slowly ...
I was shocked by the tone and arguments presented by Mr. Spitzer. He sounded arrogant vis-a-vis the non western world, by saying that societies are more or less ahead of others depending on how much they embrace democracy or capitalism. This is a dangerous type of thinking that doesn't help the communication with non-western cultures. Let's not forget that democracy and capitalist systems also have their own contradictions, and social and economic challenges. They need to be improved before considering them models for the rest of the world.
Wait, isn't Islam a religion of peace? Just showing ta'quia at its best. If Egypt falls into the hands of the radical Muslims, then all the Christians there will be out of jobs.
Islam isn't a religion of peace!!! It's a religion that teaches violence and hatred against anyone that is not muslim! For years Christians in Egypt have been persecuted by muslims!!! If a radical islamic government takes over Egypt. You can forget about all the christians and moderate muslims in Egypt. With islam the more you read the Quran and pray and get into the religion the more you have that hatred spirit inside you. as oppose to Christianity where the more you read the bible and pray the more peaceful you become.
To clarify my previous post: I depise the aims, goals, mission of Choudry. But saying "Dont let this man on your show" is a short sighted, silly repsonse. This man represents a very determined, calculated, patient and purposeful sector of The Brotherhood. It just takes a few with the threat of violence and torture to bend the lives of the many.
CNN listeners, do not put your head in the sand. At least Mr Spitzer recognizes the voice of Choudry, no matter how despised by us, is a voice that is heard in the Middle East and is followed by some very determined individuals.
I can bet that the US government, State Department, Homeland Security, CIA and etc listen to Mr Choudry regularly and dont lightly say "He's an idiot.. lets not listen to what he says". Lets not be foolish people!
Mr. Spitzer,
I cannot understand why you would give air time to a person as delusional as Choudry. The man has no sense of the Arab world and Egypt. In this time of fear and uncertainty, I think it was irresponsible journalism on your part.
Freedom is a concept that people like Mr Choudry will not EVER grasp!
Eliot, I think you did a great job on the Iman from London on your show last night. When these radicals start spouting off that nonsense about "this is an Islamic uprising" in Cairo after awhile people with believe it. Why is he living the good life in London obviously enjoying the fruits of the labors of the British people. He's probably on welfare. When people say stupid things call them out on it. Keep up the good work.
Why is CNN referring to the two groups as the "pro-government" protesters and the "anti-government" protesters. Certainly CNN would be providing more honest and clear input to American viewers if they referred to the protesters who beat up their own journalist, Anderson Cooper, as the "pro-dictator", or "anti-democracy", or "pro-violence", or even just the "pro-Mubarak" protesters. It might also be more journalistically accurate to call the pro-Mubarak, anti-democracy side 'protesters' or the pro-democracy side 'demonstrators' since the later are not violating our own president Obama's stated goals of a peaceful transition.
I hope that this statement of polite question and facts is sufficiently appropriate for CNN's public Rules of Conduct on their blog, and will satisfy the CNN censors who deleted my previous phrasing of the same facts affecting proper journalism.
Best,
Alan MacDonald
Sanford, Maine
I just spoke with family in Cairo:
The Egyptian government are recruiting all government employees thru different ministries to organize a pro Mubarak protest tomorrow and Friday to show more support from ordinary people instead of rent a mob protesters. Employees who decide not to join the government will be accused of threatening the national security.
I thought you destroyed/eviscerated the English Muslim cleric. Wow, what a rebuttal, slam down of every bit of demogagery he attempted to promulgate to the viewer's. I hope CNN gives you a platform to display your intellect, knowledge and skills on your own. I believe you are inhibited by your partner as nice as she appears to be. Good for you-I hope you return to politics and are embraced by a forgiving public. Great job!
i guess i want to know why you bring this man on when you determined your last convo in Oct. that he should be behind bars for life and is a terrorist...but maybe because you are trying to shed light on his bs and get others to realize they shouldn't follow him. He is really out of touch and would probably say the same thing in any city, in any country for no matter what reason – even if icecream ran out in the usa and all kids gathered around baskin robbins protesting they had the right to eat sweet icecream. he would say it's america starting to go towards an islamic uprising. It's his favorite saying with zilcho factual base.
Choudary is like a cheap salesman you can't wait to walk away from: When he was approaching you mr spitzer, "let me tell you something" how many times did he say that before he said anything? I watched this clip online only – not the full episode last night and he said it almost every time before he answered a question.
Whenever you have to preference that you are going to 'tell someone something' when they ask you a question – means everything behind what they are saying is a bunch of junk, self believed information and they think it makes themselves sound 'so important'. It's like saying the phrase: "let me be honest with you" what? you never usually are honest with someone, but at this one moment you will be? Sorry, former investigator – pick up on these little things.
empty words everywhere – wonder why he bothers coming on your show Spitzer when he knows you are going to rip him apart. Good going! Love this show – i learn more from these online exerpts/videoclips than I do via other news sources on the same topic and I learn it in a shorter amount of time! Wish you would show the entire episode, not just a small clip with the transcript online for at least one day after the show. CNN please keep Parker/Spitzer. More of these types of shows are needed and less reality shows (useless shows).
What a jerk, this primitive wants to bring the world to medieval era, they are the source of evil in the world.
Any news about A defector's strange disappearance?
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