Mazin Asbahi abruptly resigned from the Obama campaign after revelations of his relationship with a radical cleric with ties to terrorist group Hamas. Asbahi was the campaign’s outreach coordinator with the Muslim community. Bill O’Reilly had a representative of CAIR ( Council for Arab Islamic Relations) on to discuss the issue.

The CAIR representative said the iman in question, Jamal Said has no ties to Hamas to legitamize his argument. The CAIR representative said the Wall Street Journal had gotten in wrong. Well, no.

This February 2004 article in the Chicago Tribune detailed the work of Said to move his Chicago mosque away from moderation to radicalism. The opening details the manner Sheik Said raised money for Sami-Al Arian who’s been sentenced for his fundraising for Hamas.

Sheik Jamal Said stood before the packed mosque and worked the crowd like an auctioneer.

Speaking Arabic, the prayer leader asked for a donation of $10,000. No one responded. He asked for $5,000, and three men raised their hands.

Hundreds of men sat cross-legged before him in the main prayer hall. Women filled the basement, listening over a loudspeaker. All but the youngest girls wore head scarves.

When Sheik Jamal lowered his request to $2,000, more hands shot into the air. The crowd declared, “Allahu Akbar” or “God is great.” $1,000? More hands. $500? Even more. In less than five minutes, he raised $50,000

Sheik Said was an unindicted co-conspirator in Al Arians’ trial. CAIR spokesman have a habit of uttering quick untruths during television appearnaces that deny terrorist links. They attempt to play to American sensibilities against any form of racism. I surprised O’Rielly missed it.