Shaun King, who recently converted to Islam, has been removed as a speaker from an upcoming Ramadan event in Minneapolis. The event, a fundraising dinner organized by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), had initially included King as its keynote speaker.
King, 44, known for his vocal criticism of Israel and support for Palestine, claimed his pro-Palestine posts led to his Instagram ban. His recent conversion to Islam, he stated, was an act of solidarity with the people of Gaza. However, the announcement of his participation in the CAIR event quickly sparked backlash on social media.
Following significant online criticism, the Minnesota branch of CAIR retracted King’s invitation, citing community concerns. “After hearing feedback from our community, we’ve decided to not have Shaun King speak at our annual fundraising dinner,” the branch stated. “Our focus remains on supporting the civil liberties of Muslims in Minnesota, and this has diverted attention from that mission.”
Critics online accused King of opportunism and questioned his sudden engagement with Islam, especially given his announcement of a speaking tour, complete with high-priced VIP tickets, immediately following his conversion. Pricing for one San Diego event starts at $75 for general admission, escalating to $200 for VIP and $1,000 for VIP+. King asserted that all proceeds would be directed to Palestinian causes.
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