Sen. Boxer, Muslims resolve rift
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WASHINGTON — Sen. Barbara Boxer met with officials from a Muslim advocacy group, and both sides on Wednesday said they had resolved a controversy over Boxer rescinding an honor her office gave a member of the group.
But a spokeswoman for the California Democrat said she does not intend to give back the certificate honoring Basim Elkarra, executive director of the Sacramento chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The senator also said the concerns that prompted her to rescind his service award this month haven’t changed.
At the time, Boxer and her staff cited concerns about the council’s positions on terrorist groups, contending that the group had refused to label Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations.
“I’m putting it all behind me, and we’re moving ahead to work with the civil rights community to better relations among people of all faiths,” Boxer said Wednesday during an interview.
Council officials met with Boxer and her staff Tuesday.
“We ... have agreed with Sen. Boxer that we should all move forward to build a nation in which people of all faiths work together to promote respect and tolerance,” the group said in a statement.
Hussam Ayloush, head of the group’s Southern California chapter, said the group condemns all acts of terrorism.
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