Florida Family Association and Muslim Activist Wrangle Over 'Terror' Statements

The Florida Family Association accused a Tampa-based Islamic activist of sending mixed signals on terrorism and questioned the propriety of him speaking to high school classes.

But Hassan Shibly, director of the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, says there should be no confusion or concern.

In a statement Thursday, FFA alleged that "Shibly opposed government detention of suspected terrorists" and that his "two-sided representations regarding last week's Tampa terrorist arrest illustrate CAIRs conflict with the truth."

Quoting a Sunshine State News story, FFA recounted that "several mosques banned Tampa terrorist suspect Sami Osmakac because he 'was no friend or supporter of the Muslim community.'"

FFA goes on to charge, "Then Shibly flipped to his real agenda by taking a jab at the FBI when he expressed 'concern about a perception of entrapment.'"

Reached Thursday afternoon, Shibly told Sunshine State News, "I opposed indefinite detention of any American citizen without due process. I don't oppose suspected terrorists being detained."

As for the Osmakac case, Shibly, who holds a law degree from SUNY Buffalo, said, "It's fair to ask questions and to get the answers. It's my job as a lawyer."

Shibly noted that he used the qualifying word "perception" in reference to the entrapment issue.

"At this point, there's nothing to indicate there was entrapment," he said Thursday afternoon.

The Hillsborough County School District has defended Steinbrenner High School's invitation to Shibly, saying that other faith leaders are also asked to speak to students in the school's world history classes.