The controversial mosque project at Ground Zero is not the only proposed mosque causing an uproar in New York. Staten Island is also dealing with a mosque controversy as evidenced by this 10 minute video of a community meeting. In the 10 minute video, Jihad Watch director Robert Spencer confronts a representative of the Muslim American Society (MAS), which is supporting the mosque. Spencer asks whether the organization supports Hamas, Hizbollah and the imposition of Sharia in the US. Listen to the "answer" he gets.
(Video by Jihad Watch)
Here is a news article (SI Live) describing the controversy.
http://www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/2010/06/backers_of_staten_island_mosqu.html
Comment: It is quite clear that more and more communities in America are leery of having mosques and Islamic centers in the neighborhoods. Yes, it is contrary to America's tradition of religious tolerance to object to a religious place of worship that is not Christian (or Jewish). This videotape illustrates that there is a division between Muslims and non-Muslims that is depressing, but real.
Yet let me ask a question. If a Buddhist group wanted to set up a temple virtually anywhere in America, do you think there would be an outcry? Hardly. Somewhere north of Hollywood (I don'r recall exactly where) there is a beautiful Thai Buddhist temple that has stood for some 25 years.
So what is the difference? Is it because Americans are religious bigots? I don't think so. The problem, which every American Muslim must consider is that world events are casting a bad light on Islam. It is not just 9-11 and the continuing threats of terrorism. It has been documented that many mosques in the US are breeding grounds for hate, radicalism and sedition. No such suspicions exist in regards to Buddhist temples.
Am I accusing all mosques of that? Not at all, but it is high time for American Muslims to take stock in their relationship to American society, from which they are becoming isolated more and more. I still cling to the notion that most American Muslims want to be a part of American society while maintaining their religion. It should not have to be a choice of one or the other. Yet, it appears that so many of their "leaders" are telling them the opposite. In other words, they are being told that Western values are not in line with Islamic values.
Where have I heard that before?
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6 comments:
I know this doesn't mean much, but if all the different religions would take the money they spend on useless buildings start building hospitals, homes for the homeless, shelters for the needy, they would be doing the will of their Master (whoever he is) and do the world a lot of good.
Instead they keep their followers stupid by making them believe that they need a place to worship.
It's all about money and power. I hate them all.
Don't know where to post this, but I thought you should see it:
"A new poll shows a majority of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories support reaching a peace agreement with the Israeli government. According to the Norwegian-based group FAFO, 73 percent of Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza say they support negotiations with Israel but that the talks should be preconditioned on a settlement freeze. The poll also shows growing support for nonviolent resistance to the Israeli occupation, with the number of Palestinians who oppose rocket attacks from Gaza increasing to 61 percent from 53 percent."
Source
If true, that is very encouraging.
There have been mosques in America for well over 100 years. Whatever is happening now, it is not inherent in mosques being built in America.
I commend the speaker asking the question in this video for urging his audience to stop applauding a question (a rather mindless thing to do, at best), so that he could finish the question and get an answer. It does not sound like the audience wished to let the panel member respond without interruption -- which doesn't make for informative dialog, or even a clear picture of whether he is being evasive.
My sense is that he is being evasive. Now, if we want an effective response, we need to carefully unwind the various strands of Islam involved. The principles to be applied should be the same as those which allow free exercise of religion to pagans and Wiccans, but do not allow the practice of human sacrifice in the name of religious freedom. Your right to swing the sacrificial knife ends where a human body begins, so to speak.
But the mobs which seem to respond loudest to this question need to get a grip: if you blame Islam, then you encourage all Muslims to accept that they are going to be marginalized in America, and turn to the jihadists. The question, are you connected to Hizbullah, are you trying to overthrow the First Amendment, are valid questions, but should be asked with a careful neutrality: I'm not accusing you, I just want an answer to my question...
A good rough rule of thumb would be, did the organization building the mosque exist in American prior to say, 1980? Likewise, is the funding coming from outside the United States? If so, from where?
Incidentally, the strength of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, and of Hamas and Hezbullah, stem precisely from the fact that they DO have well developed social service programs. A lot of people will give their loyalty to whoever delivers the goods -- that's what sustained politics in American cities for decades.
It does illustrate another issue, which I have pointed out. Muslims are increasingly alienated and isolated from US society and western society. That is sad.
The Muslims I know personally are not isolated and estranged, EXCEPT when they see, e.g., people insinuating that a candidate for president is a Muslim, or an Arab, and THEREFORE cannot be trusted as president. Senator McCain was very firm about squelching that line of innuendo, whenever it came up, and deserves credit for it. The fact that some Americans considered it a valid commentary has made some American Muslims feel isolated and estranged. The most outspoken Muslim I know personally, on this subject, was quite appreciative of Colin Powell's remark "so what if he was?" -- but still disappointed that it took so long for someone to say that forcefully and publicly, who could command some national media attention saying so.
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