Authentic Voices. Important Topics.

Chaplain James Yee
Islamophobia:
An irrational fear and hostility towards Islam and Muslims.

The September 11th attacks, the ongoing military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the "War on Terror," the recent Fort Hood shootings, and the Christmas day terrorist attempt to bring down a jetliner have all elevated the prejudices leading to discrimination, profiling, violation of constitutional rights and hate crimes in our society.

The backlash has often turned violent in the form of vandalism, assault and homicide, but also includes more insidious smear tactics from talking heads and demagogues. Negative attitudes against Islam and Muslims were even evident in the 2008 Presidential election campaign as political pundits, media and others attempted to characterize Barack Obama as a Muslim in disguise.

Captain James Yee, a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, and former US Army Chaplain, explores present day Islamophobia as it relates to the social, legal and national security conscious climate of our time. Yee draws on his unique experience as the former Muslim Chaplain at Guantanamo Bay, an American-born Muslim convert, and an elected National Delegate for Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential election season, to provide a captivating view of Islam in America and the challenges faced by everyday Muslims in our nation. Clarifying the many misconceptions about Islam and Muslims, he provokes reflection on our American values, especially those of diversity, religious freedom, tolerance and justice and provides insight on how to foster better mutual understanding.

About James Yee

About Captain Yee While ministering to prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Captain Yee advised the commanders of the camp on detainee religious practices and objected to the cruel and degrading abuses to which the prisoners were subjected. After being officially recognized twice for outstanding performance, Captain Yee was arrested and imprisoned in a Naval brig in solitary confinement for 76 days in September 2003, falsely accused of spying, espionage, and aiding the alleged Taliban and Al-Qaeda prisoners. All criminal charges were dropped, after months of government investigation. With his record wiped clean, Chaplain Yee was reinstated to full duty at Fort Lewis, Washington. He tendered his resignation from the US Army and received an Honorable Discharge on January 7, 2005. Upon separation he was awarded a second Army Commendation medal for 'exceptionally meritorious service'.

Chaplain Yee's gripping account of his Guantanamo experience and struggle for justice is titled For God and Country: Faith and Patriotism Under Fire. The Washington Post called it "required reading for all U.S. Officials waging war on Islamist terrorists." For this work, Yee received the Exceptional Communicator Award from New America Media in January 2006.

The Response

"James Yee is an informative, engaging speaker who is able to talk about these complex issues in human terms. He is especially effective with students, and is able to challenge them while treating them with kindness and respect. I highly recommend him as a guest speaker."

Robin Kirk
Author and Director
Duke Human Rights Center

"Captain James Yee was a riveting speaker at the Annual Dinner of the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area. His personal story of what happens when our government denies civil liberties in name of national security is chilling and should be a lesson to all Americans."

David Chiu
President
Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area

"James Yee is an extremely energetic, articulate, organized speaker who has an extremely important message to convey."

Almerindo Ojeda
Director
UC Davis Center for the Study of Human Rights in the Americas

"James Yee represents the kind of courage, compassion, and caring that this nation should be known for throughout the world. He is one of the most patriotic voices to emerge in the last decade and as an Asian American, I am so very happy that his is a voice that is emerging."

Angela E. Oh
Private Attorney and Lecturer at UCLA

"I had the benefit of hearing [James Yee] as a keynote speaker for the OCA Greater Philadelphia Lunar New Year Banquet and as a panelist at the NAPABA convention. He came across as knowledgeable, articulate, and highly persuasive. With all the calls to shut down the Guantanamo detention center, Chaplain Yee's unique personal experience adds much light to the debate, regardless of your persuasion."

Tsiwen Law
NAPABA civil rights committee chairman

"James Yee has important story to tell both about being a Muslim chaplain in the U.S. army and about being a prisoner at Guantanamo. At a time where there is a great deal of interest in U.S.-sponsored torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, Chaplain Yee provides his listeners with an important portrayal of his personal experiences in a prison where habeas corpus is not assured and detainees are not provided the protections of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions. I urge audiences across the country to hear Chaplain Yee's message."

Rev. Richard Killmer
Program Director
Churches' Center for Theology and Public Policy

About the Book

"A searing indictment of justice gone awry and unchecked, systemic, ignorance, Yee's story is sure to stimulate its share of discussion on a volatile subject at a crucial time."

Publishers Weekly

"...should be required reading for all U.S. officials waging war on Islamist terrorists. For God and Country is an indictment of the sloppy assumptions and religious and cultural blindness that he charges U.S. officials frequently reveal in their struggle with the jihadists."

Washington Post

"This is a powerful book that exposes how fear and ignorance can lead to an abuse of justice."

Associated Press

To book this speaker, call 206-529-4711 or email info@samaralectures.com