Excerpt:
The Houston, Texas imam who urged Muslims to "fight the Jews in Palestine" during an incendiary Dec. 8 sermon spoke of his desire on Thursday to "repair the damage" caused by his remarks — but Jewish leaders said his apology fell short in at least one critical regard.
Imam Raed Saleh Al-Rousan of the Tajweed Institute — a Quranic teaching organization with branches in Houston and Tampa — spoke in a Facebook post of his "hope to establish new and meaningful relationships with my neighbors in the Jewish community," including through meetings "with Jewish leaders."
"I want to hear their concerns, learn from them and bring our communities closer together," Al-Rousan said. "I hope to work with them to alleviate any fears and to combat hatred in all forms, most especially antisemitism and anti-Muslim bigotry."