M.T. Mehdi
Encyclopedia
Mohammed Taki Mehdi, commonly M.T. Mehdi (January 6, 1928 - February 15, 1998) was an Iraqi-American based in New York. He was highly visible in media circles for being one of the earliest pro-Palestinian activists in the United States, and garnered controversy for his often brash defense of the Palestinian cause. He held debates on television and radio with many supporters of Israel, including the late Rabbi Meir Kahane
. He died of cardiac arrest at Bellevue Hospital in 1998.
(then in the British Mandate of Mesopotamia) in 1928. He came the United States to study at the University of California at Berkeley to pursue a doctorate in Political Science. He sued, successfully, the New York City Board of Education to require it to display Islamic crescents along with Christian and Jewish symbols during the holiday season. Out of his three daughters, Anisa Mehdi
is the most prominent as an award-winning documentary filmmaker.
M.T. Mehdi founded the Action Committee on American-Arab Relations out of whole cloth, and interviewed Sirhan Sirhan
several times during his imprisonment, at which time M.T. Mehdi was the president of the American-Arab Relations Committee.
. He was criticized for his support of Sirhan, a Palestinian, and Mehdi's numerous interviews with him, as well as his belief that Sirhan acted justifiably. He wrote a 100-page book entitled "Kennedy and Sirhan: Why?", and had said that he believed Sirhan had acted in justifiable self-defense, stating: "Sirhan was defending himself against those 50 Phantom jets Kennedy was sending to Israel."
Further, after the 1993 World Trade Center bombings, he gave counsel to the blind sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman
, who was later convicted and given a life sentence for his role in the attacks. The Anti-Defamation League, a leading American-Jewish activacy group, opined in Dr. Mehdi's obituary in the New York Times that he was "a lifelong Arab propagandist."
He has also been criticized for his denouncing of Yasser Arafat
, especially by those within the Muslim organizations. Regarding Arafat's red-carpet welcome from President Bill Clinton
, M.T. Mehdi, then-president of the American Arab and Muslim Council, denounced Arafat as "... a pawn in the reelection bids of both Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres
...", who visited the White House on April 30, 1996. "He is being as well-received as Peres because he is doing what Peres wants him to do," said Mehdi. "It's a charade."
Meir Kahane
Martin David Kahane , also known as Meir Kahane , was an American-Israeli rabbi and ultra-nationalist writer and political figure. He was an ordained Orthodox rabbi and later served as a member of the Israeli Knesset...
. He died of cardiac arrest at Bellevue Hospital in 1998.
Life
Dr. M.T. Mehdi was born in BaghdadBaghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
(then in the British Mandate of Mesopotamia) in 1928. He came the United States to study at the University of California at Berkeley to pursue a doctorate in Political Science. He sued, successfully, the New York City Board of Education to require it to display Islamic crescents along with Christian and Jewish symbols during the holiday season. Out of his three daughters, Anisa Mehdi
Anisa Mehdi
Anisa Marie Mehdi is an Emmy Award winning film director and journalist. She is of half Iraqi and half Canadian descent.Her main focus when producing documentaries or programmes lie within religion, as her most notable documentary was Inside Mecca, which was produced by National Geographic. Many of...
is the most prominent as an award-winning documentary filmmaker.
M.T. Mehdi founded the Action Committee on American-Arab Relations out of whole cloth, and interviewed Sirhan Sirhan
Sirhan Sirhan
Sirhan Bishara Sirhan is a Jordanian citizen who was convicted for the assassination of United States Senator Robert F. Kennedy. He is serving a life sentence at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, California.Sirhan was a Christian Arab born in Jerusalem who strongly opposed Israel...
several times during his imprisonment, at which time M.T. Mehdi was the president of the American-Arab Relations Committee.
Controversy
M.T. Mehdi was a leading pro-Palestinian activist in the United States, and openly supported the Palestine Liberation OrganizationPalestine Liberation Organization
The Palestine Liberation Organization is a political and paramilitary organization which was created in 1964. It is recognized as the "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people" by the United Nations and over 100 states with which it holds diplomatic relations, and has enjoyed...
. He was criticized for his support of Sirhan, a Palestinian, and Mehdi's numerous interviews with him, as well as his belief that Sirhan acted justifiably. He wrote a 100-page book entitled "Kennedy and Sirhan: Why?", and had said that he believed Sirhan had acted in justifiable self-defense, stating: "Sirhan was defending himself against those 50 Phantom jets Kennedy was sending to Israel."
Further, after the 1993 World Trade Center bombings, he gave counsel to the blind sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman
Omar Abdel-Rahman
Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman , commonly known in the United States as "The Blind Sheikh", is a blind Egyptian Muslim leader who is currently serving a life sentence at the Butner Medical Center which is part of the Butner Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina, United...
, who was later convicted and given a life sentence for his role in the attacks. The Anti-Defamation League, a leading American-Jewish activacy group, opined in Dr. Mehdi's obituary in the New York Times that he was "a lifelong Arab propagandist."
He has also been criticized for his denouncing of Yasser Arafat
Yasser Arafat
Mohammed Yasser Abdel Rahman Abdel Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini , popularly known as Yasser Arafat or by his kunya Abu Ammar , was a Palestinian leader and a Laureate of the Nobel Prize. He was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization , President of the Palestinian National Authority...
, especially by those within the Muslim organizations. Regarding Arafat's red-carpet welcome from President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
, M.T. Mehdi, then-president of the American Arab and Muslim Council, denounced Arafat as "... a pawn in the reelection bids of both Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres
Shimon Peres
GCMG is the ninth President of the State of Israel. Peres served twice as the eighth Prime Minister of Israel and once as Interim Prime Minister, and has been a member of 12 cabinets in a political career spanning over 66 years...
...", who visited the White House on April 30, 1996. "He is being as well-received as Peres because he is doing what Peres wants him to do," said Mehdi. "It's a charade."
Publications
- Kennedy and Sirhan: Why? (1968)
- Peace in Palestine (1976)
- Terrorism: Why America Is the Target! (1988)
External links
- "President's Order Aims To Support Israel and Tighten Vise on Iran : U.S. to Freeze Assets Held By Suspected Terrorists" by Paul F. Horvitz, International Herald Tribune, January 25, 1995 (quoted in article)
- "Welcome to Anisa Mehdi" Documentary filmmaker daughter's website
- "M. T. Mehdi, 70, Arab-American Leader" by Eric Pace, The New York Times (obituary), Feb. 25 1998.
- "Family, Friends Honor Mehdi" by Jorge Fitz-Gibbon, New York Daily News (obituary), Feb. 25, 1998
- "The M.T. Mehdi Courage in Journalism/Writing Award" Annual award given out by the National Arab-American Journalists Association, named in his honor