Rogan Aide Draws Fire for Comment on Muslim Leader

A key supporter of Rep. James E. Rogan (R-Glendale) on Wednesday sharply criticized the manager of his reelection campaign for saying a Los Angeles Muslim community leader “seems to be an apologist for Muslim terrorists.”

Irshad Ul-Haque, who has raised campaign money for Rogan, said it was “mind-boggling” that Rogan’s campaign manager, Jason Roe, made the remark about Salam Al-Marayati, the executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council.

“I think it’s very unfortunate, and I don’t think that is the point of view of the congressman himself,” said Ul-Haque, who is president-elect of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce. “It’s very sad that one of his staff just ran his mouth without thinking.”

But Rogan on Wednesday released a statement backing Roe, who had criticized the congressman’s Democratic challenger, state Sen. Adam Schiff of Burbank, for attending a community forum on the role of alcohol in crime because Al-Marayati was a co-host.

“I will not turn a blind eye to potential pro-terrorist sympathies in order to curry political favor with any individual or partisan group,” Rogan said.

Al-Marayati denied the accusations, saying he unequivocally opposes terrorism. Local Jewish and Christian leaders plan to join him at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena today to denounce Rogan’s campaign, alleging it engaged in bigotry.

Rogan said his campaign manager “did not say the allegations were true.” But Rogan added that Roe did say “that they exist, and that if true, they are very serious.”

Rogan has repeatedly appeared in public with Al-Marayati in recent years.

Rogan said the allegations against Al-Marayati first were raised by the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Congress and other Jewish groups. Rogan also pointed out that House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.) withdrew his nomination of Al-Marayati to a commission on terrorism in July 1999.

Schiff’s campaign consultant Parke Skelton called Roe’s remarks preposterous.