In a dramatic turn of events, the South Florida Muslim Federation (SFMF), an umbrella group for South Florida’s radical Muslim outfits, has secured a new venue for its pro-Hamas conference, after being shut down by the Coral Springs Marriott for security concerns. The Sheraton Suites Fort Lauderdale at Cypress Creek – also a Marriott affiliate – has agreed to allow the group to use their premises to further the spread of hatred and incitement. The conference will feature many of the same extremists as the cancelled affair, including someone recently thrown off the Broward County School Board for promoting antisemitism.
Dubbed ‘Lighting the Path,’ SFMF’s second annual conference and bazaar is now scheduled for Saturday, February 24th. Though scaled down from its original two-day format, the event still boasts a lineup of speakers infamous for their radical views and associations with terror. This includes individuals known for spreading antisemitism and/or showcasing support for Hamas following the October 7th massacre, when members of Hamas crossed Israel’s borders and shot, raped, mutilated, burned and/or beheaded 1200 innocents.
Among the speakers (and also moderators) for the conference is Naima Khan-Ghany, a local Muslim activist ousted from the Broward County School Board, less than a year ago, for using her social media to spread anti-Semitic vitriol against Jews and Israel. One of her posts was a video referring to Jews as being “Satanic.” Another of her posts called for prayers for the destruction of Israel. In yet another post, Khan-Ghany wrote that Israel’s claim of self-defense is a “usual excuse.” Her inflammatory posts sparked outrage and led to her removal from both of the School Board committees she served on.
As well set to participate at the conference, who was slated to speak at the cancelled one, is hardcore extremist Lobna Mullah from the Salafist-aligned Yaqeen Institute. Since October 7th, Mullah has been plastering her social media with maps erasing Israel and posts glorifying masked Hamas terrorists. This month, she posted the following chilling and threatening message on Facebook: “No countries are completely free as long as zionists exist.” And last month, she posted, “Israel has No Right to defend itself…”
Another speaker will be Izhar Khan, Imam of SFMF member and Margate, Florida-based Masjid Jamaat Al-Mumineen (MJAM). MJAM promotes texts labeling Jews and Christians “enemies,” mandating death for gays, glorifying female genital mutilation, and sanctioning domestic violence against women. In May 2011, Khan was arrested and charged by the FBI with participating with members of his family in a scheme to ship $50,000 to the Taliban. The presiding judge released Khan from detention citing lack of evidence, while Khan’s father, Hafiz, was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
One more speaker will be Dawud Walid, the Executive Director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and someone who has trafficked antisemitism, himself. CAIR, like MJAM, is a member organization of SFMF. CAIR has, as well, foundational and financial links to Hamas. Following October 7th, the national Executive Director of CAIR, Nihad Awad, came under fire for praising the Hamas atrocities. He said it made him “happy” and called it a “victory.” The White House condemned Awad’s remarks and swiftly removed CAIR from a White House initiative on antisemitism that CAIR had served on.
Despite the controversy surrounding it, the Sheraton Suites Fort Lauderdale at Cypress Creek has decided to host the conference. Sheraton Hotels and Resorts is owned by Marriott International. For the Sheraton Suites Fort Lauderdale at Cypress Creek to agree to host the SFMF conference, so soon after its sister establishment in Coral Springs cancelled the same event for security reasons, is contemptable. The level of antisemitism and support for Hamas represented by those associated with it is shocking and dangerous and cannot be ignored.
In light of recent events overseas and FBI warnings about imminent attacks taking place here at home, it is imperative that the Sheraton take immediate action to address the concerns raised by hosting such a divisive event that includes such dangerous actors. The safety and well-being of guests, staff and the community must be the hotel’s top priority, and providing a platform for those who traffic hate speech and extremism undermines these principles and raises questions about the hotel’s commitment to tolerance and security.
Note: The Coral Springs Marriott was not alone in shutting down such an event as this. Indeed, several hotels around the United States have cancelled events for similar reasons, including at least one other Marriott and one other Sheraton.
As Mark Cherry, General Manager of the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel & Convention Center – the original venue – aptly stated: “Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our guests and team members. We have determined that there is an increased risk to the safety and security of hotel guests, team members and the community with the South Florida Muslim Federation’s upcoming event at our hotel. After careful consideration of these issues, we have made the decision not to host this event at our hotel this year.”
Sheraton Suites Fort Lauderdale at Cypress Creek should take heed and do the same.
They must prioritize safety over profit and refuse to aid and abet documented terror supporters like CAIR. The hotel chain’s reputation and moral principles are on the line. Terrorism and bigotry have no place in our society, and hotels must take a stand against this type of extremism.
Beila Rabinowitz, Director of Militant Islam Monitor, contributed to this report.