Shaun King, who just lately transformed to Islam, has been eliminated as a speaker from an upcoming Ramadan occasion in Minneapolis. The occasion, a fundraising dinner organized by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), had initially included King as its keynote speaker.
King, 44, recognized for his vocal criticism of Israel and assist for Palestine, claimed his pro-Palestine posts led to his Instagram ban. His latest conversion to Islam, he said, was an act of solidarity with the folks of Gaza. Nevertheless, the announcement of his participation within the CAIR occasion rapidly sparked backlash on social media.
Following vital on-line criticism, the Minnesota department of CAIR retracted King’s invitation, citing group issues. “After listening to suggestions from our group, we’ve determined to not have Shaun King communicate at our annual fundraising dinner,” the department said. “Our focus stays on supporting the civil liberties of Muslims in Minnesota, and this has diverted consideration from that mission.”
Critics on-line accused King of opportunism and questioned his sudden engagement with Islam, particularly given his announcement of a talking tour, full with high-priced VIP tickets, instantly following his conversion. Pricing for one San Diego occasion begins at $75 for normal admission, escalating to $200 for VIP and $1,000 for VIP+. King asserted that each one proceeds could be directed to Palestinian causes.
