Multiple Arabic websites are reporting that Malik Obama, half-brother to President Barack Obama, has spoken out publicly – for the first time – in response to claims that he is connected to the Muslim Brotherhood. As one would expect, Malik denied these charges, dismissing them as “nonsense”. There is at least one statement Malik said in defense of himself that could prove quite problematic. We’ve highlighted in bold and discuss after this excerpt.

Malik reportedly told the Anatolia news agency the following, via Mustaqila:

Malik told the Anatolia news agency in a telephone interview, “I know about those allegations, which spread on the Internet, but they are sheer nonsense.”

In response to a question about whether he’s traveled to Egypt or plans to soon, Malik said, “I’ve never traveled to Egypt,” adding, “I am a Muslim, yes, but I do not encourage hatred and violence and I’ve not been linked to any extremist groups in my life,” pointing out that if these allegations were credible to the press, why hadn’t Kenyan and international press picked up the story before all of this?”

He said, “I employ people in the area of ​​peace.. I have a Corporation registered to carry out peace and charity work,” stressing that the activity is confined to promoting world peace,” and as a member of the large Obama family, “I do my duty in the promotion of world peace and human development through the establishment of the Barack H. Obama Foundation at a time when my brother is doing his duty to the American people and the world.” {emphasis ours}

Let’s take a look at this one quote from Malik:

“I do not encourage hatred and violence and I’ve not been linked to any extremist groups in my life.”

Does it depend on what the meaning of the word “extremist” is? Here is Malik at the 2010 Islamic Da’wa Organization Conference. The man in the background is Suar al-Dahab, who has hobnobbed with both Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader, Yusuf Al-Qaradawi:

Malik Obama with his Muslim Brotherhood boss, Suar al-Dahab

As we’ve written before, the banner above al-Dahab translates in English to read:

23rd Conference
Islamic Da’wa Organization
Under the Supervision of Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir – Organization Supervisor {emphasis ours}

Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court (and George Clooney) for crimes against humanity. Al-Bashir is also the President of Sudan and a member of the Muslim Brotherhood despite his recent (and convenient) attempts to distance himself from the group after more than two decades of collaboration.

Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir holds court over IDO Conference in Khartoum.

That Malik has spoken publicly about this indicates something very positive; this scandal has moved beyond the stage where it’s most advisable to ignore the charges. The president’s half-brother has moved on to the next stage, which becomes the most advisable for people in his position because ignoring the charges only raises more questions.

That next phase involves acknowledging the charges but dismissing them as ridiculous. Earlier this month, this tactic was on display thanks to Shadi Hamid, who tweeted an image of an Egyptian news article claiming that Saad al-Shater – son of jailed Muslim Brotherhood leader Khairat al-Shater – has access to documents that reveal Barack Obama’s secret membership with the Muslim Brotherhood. Why wouldn’t Hamid, who appears to be more sympathetic to the Muslim Brotherhood than not, tweet out such an article?

Perhaps for the same reason Malik decided to speak publicly about allegations he’s tied to the Brotherhood – the cacophony of demands for answers has grown too big to ignore (in Arabic media). Much of that has to do with the new Egyptian government taking great interest in Malik’s background.

Why did Pro-Muslim Brotherhood writer tweet article damaging to the Obamas?

Malik Obama’s claims that he’s not tied to any “extremist groups” are belied by what’s presented here and elsewhere. Imagine the evidence that Egypt must be uncovering right now, with multiple Muslim Brotherhood leaders in custody.

Something to consider… Why is Al-Jazeera’s Arabic network covering the story about Malik Obama’s denials but neither Al-Jazeera English nor Al-Jazeera America is? Could it be because western media is still in the “ignore” stage?