Muslim converts in Spain are being suspected of "wolves in sheeps' clothing." Unless they renounce Shairah publicly and in unequivocal terms, it is diffcult to allay the fears of skeptics.
In her book, "Spain Converted to Islam," Magda accuses some converts of inconsistency in their support for feminism because they also embrace polygamy.
Moreover, she sees converts as the "Trojan horse" through which Islamist ideas about "reclaiming al-Andalus" could take hold in Spain.
"Perhaps this friendly face of Islam is more dangerous than the fundamentalist affirmations of certain imams," she writes. "At least with the latter we know who the enemy is; they're not wolves in sheeps' clothing."
Junta members reject such characterizations, however.
"For neo-cons like Arístegui," says Mr. Escudero, "we converts don't fit within the mold of the [Islamist] enemy they've tailor-made. So we make them uncomfortable."
The Junta may also be falling out of favor with other Muslims as well. Early in 2006, the Islamic Commission unexpectedly replaced the moderate Escudero with a new secretary-general.
Felix Herrero is a convert himself, though his mosque was investigated for terrorism, and some believe he is sympathetic to - even controlled by - powerful Saudi donors.
Escudero's ouster may have been caused by his democratic endeavors.
"They criticized the fatwa against bin Laden, saying no one has the right to eject a Muslim from Islam," says Prado, who is now the director of the Junta Islámica's Catalonia branch."It was a clear rejection of the Junta Islámica's agenda."
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