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Harrison Mcclary / Reuters
Friday prayers at the newly opened Islamic Center of Murfreesboro in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Aug. 10. The center was the subject of protests and court action by groups opposed to the mosque since construction began two years ago. The mosque opened in the final days of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
On Sunday and Monday, when Muslims will celebrate the end of Ramadan, even many who are less observant the rest of the year will be at mosques to pray. But many worshippers will celebrate amid heightened security after a recent spike in attacks on mosques and other places of worship.
"We recommend a security guard during prayer hours,” said Abed Ayoub, legal director of the nonprofit American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, or ADC. "Take measures and use common sense. Keep an eye on people who don’t seem to fit in. We ask them to install video cameras at the doors and throughout the mosque. Limit access to areas such as the kitchen, furnace or storage where someone could hide."
This is not the first time that Muslims have been advised to exercise caution. There was a spike in crimes aimed at the religious minority after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States by Islamist terrorists, and Ayoub said there has been an increase again since 2010, starting around the time of the bitter dispute over Park 51, the so-called "Ground Zero Mosque" in Manhattan.
The latest round of cautionary alerts was set off by the bloody attack on a different religious group. On Aug. 5, six Sikh worshippers were killed and others wounded when Wade Michael Page opened fire at their temple in Oak Creek, Wis., before killing himself.
Because the suspect is dead, his motives remain unknown. But he had white supremacist connections, so many observers concluded that his attack was a hate crime targeting strangers who were minorities.
"What happened in Wisconsin was a tragedy, and it shed light on the bigotry that unfortunately still exists in this country,” said Ayoub.
Muslim groups expressed solidarity with the Sikh community, and fears of their own.
"Within an hour of the Sikh shooting we were on the phone with the Dearborn metro law enforcement, and beefed up security that evening," said Ayoub, who is the legal director for the Washington-based ADC. The group has offices in Dearborn, Mich., which is home to the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the country.
In the 12 days since that deadly shooting, at least eight cases of vandalism and attacks on mosques, including a suspected arson, have been documented by the ADC and other civil rights groups.
Investigators have not been able to prove a fire that destroyed a mosque in Joplin, Mo., on Aug. 6 was intentionally set, the FBI said on Thursday, but they have video surveillance of an apparent arson attempt at the mosque one week earlier and have described the second fire as "suspicious."
In Morton Grove, Ill. while 500 were attending evening prayers at a mosque in the Chicago suburb, a man shot at the building with a pellet gun, only slightly damaging the building, but nearly hitting a security guard. The man arrested in connection with the incident turned out to be a neighbor who had a history of complaints and opposition to the mosque, said Rizwan Kadir, who is on the board of the mosque and school.
In Oklahoma City, vandals defaced the Grand Mosque, firing paintball guns at it while it was filled with worshippers. In Lombard, Ill., a "MacGyver bomb" hit the window of an Islamic school that was being used for evening prayer. The soda bottle, filled with chemicals and aluminum foil that react to make an explosion, did not break the window and exploded outside, so worshippers were rattled but not hurt. In Hayward, Calif., four teenagers were arrested after vandalizing a mosque by throwing lemons, oranges, eggs, and firing BB guns.
"If you look at the smaller incidents in isolation you can deal with it, but when you see all these things happening, it does take its emotional toll on people,” said Kadir.
Kadir said many people in the area, local Christian and Jewish groups, as well as the police and Morton Grove mayor and trustees have come forward to show solidarity with the Muslim community since the shooting.
"All these are positive things," he said. "At the same time we are on our guard."
Council on American Islamic relations: Safety and security tips
While no one is saying that the attacks are connected, many Muslim leaders and civil rights advocates see common fuel in the anti-Muslim rhetoric that they say has intensified during the current election cycle.
"When the rhetoric gets bad, the hate crimes and attacks go up,” said Ayoub, of ADC. "Unless the rhetoric changes, I feel there will be more happening before the election.
On the list of politicians he says are fueling bigotry is Michele Bachmann, who recently led the call for a federal investigation of senior State Deparatment official Huma Abedin. Bachmann accused Abedin of using her position to influence policy in favor of Egypt’s Islamist Muslim Brotherhood.
The charge outraged many Muslims. Even some of Bachman’s fellow Republicans protested the attack, including Sen. John McCain, who defended Abedin as a "true patriot."
Another politician becoming well known for his persistent warnings about the threat of "homegrown radicals" among the Muslim population is Rep. Joe Walsh, R-Ill., a member of the House Homeland Security Committee.
"While the overwhelming majority of Muslims are as peace loving as everyone else, there are radical Islamists right here in the United States trying to kill Americans and destroy this country," he told a town hall meeting in Elk Grove Village, Ill.
The ADC draws a direct line between Walsh's comments and the "MacGyver bomb" attack on the worshippers in his district, saying his comments incited fear. In a statement on Wednesday, the group called on "all politicians and elected officials to change the national discourse, distance themselves from xenophobic rhetoric and put an immediate end to the culture of hate and violence."
Walsh's office rejected the idea that the congressman's statements incite or condone violence against ordinary Muslims. Walsh was merely restating what has been said in a series of committee hearings on homegrown radicalization of Muslims, according to spokesman Justin Roth.
"Not one time has Congressman Walsh said that we need to go get those Muslims," said Roth. "He condemns these attacks just as he condemns the more than 1,000 attacks against Jews every year (that take place) simply out of hatred."
Ayoub and others urged Muslims to reach out to police in their areas seeking additional patrols and support, especially for crowded Eid al Fitre prayers on Sunday and Monday.
"It's very important to keep everybody calm, don't let your people be afraid," said Ayoub. "We don't want people not going to the mosque because they are afraid. We want to ensure that people go and leave safely."
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aparently not yank.we never could thats the problem.the solution.....nuke it all.
When the muslims start obeying our laws and stop trying to initiate their honor laws then and only then will they be left alone. There are too many incidents of muslims killing their own and killing americans here in our country. I don't think they can abide by our laws because hatred for the western infidels is instilled into their beliefs from the day they are born. And I don't think they will ever change.
Way to go John - exposing your ignorance and bigotry for all to see.
Uh, how does that compare with the number of incidents of regular Americans killing their own? Let's see - the number of murders in, say, Chicago this year has outpaced the number of soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
In 2006, More people were murdered in Detroit than in San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas and San Jose combined--and each one of those cities has a bigger population than Detroit.
Now to put that into perspective, since Sept 10, 2011, there were 33 individuals killed in the U.S. by muslims since 9/11 - as compared to the following anti-islamic hate crimes committed in 2010 (from FBI stats): 186 offenses with 197 victims - up 50% from the previous year.
And John, some hate crimes were committed against Sikhs - perpetrated by individuals at least as ignorant as you.
I wonder how many in Detroit were muslims?
Don't wonder too hard ron17571 - you might cramp that single brain cell.
well,muslims in america,we did that to ourselves.freedom of religion.catch 22.
CRITICAL QUESTION FOR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES:
One question we need to have every Presidential Candidate answer during the upcoming Presidential debates is this:
" If Muslim leaders come to you and say they want to be allowed to start using Islamic Law called Sharia Law here, and they say it will only be just for Muslims, what will you say to them? "
We all know we don't want Muslims here, but we are told we have to tolerate them because our laws allow "freedom of religion", even though those laws were never meant for Muslims. If we keep tolerating Muslims here, sooner or later Muslims will ask to be allowed to start using Sharia law. They always ask in every country. It is how "moderate Muslims" plant the roots of long-term Islamic takeover in every country.
It is critical that we have every Presidential Candidate answer this question before the November election. We the voters have the right to know. This is because once Sharia Law is allowed in a country, that country is doomed. We will in effect have a country with two legal systems, one for Muslims, and one for everyone else. Then at some point in the future after that, they will start fighting using terrorism to impose sharia law on the whole country. To fully Islamize our country and fundamentally change our way of life.
Islamic culture and our culture are too different, like night and day. Any politician pandering to Muslims is helping to sow the seeds of future conflicts in our country.
FYI: Muslims demanding Sharia law and their desire to convert countries to Islamic States is the source of conflicts and wars in so many countries around the world. Islam is not just a religion, but it is also a political and militant movement as well, with the ultimate goal of world domination. Please ask any Muslim you know if he or she will like to live under Islamic law as commanded by Muhammad. If he or she says no, then ask how the person can be a Muslim without following Muhammad's commands. If he or she answers "yes" to Sharia law, please ask the Muslim what he or she is doing here, and please tell the Muslim to get the hell out of our country. Muslims are only peaceful and tolerant in countries like ours where they are a small minority so that they can "peacefully" grow Islam until they get strong enough to start fighting.
If you have ever lived in a country where Muslims are a majority, you will know they are not very tolerant of people of other religions except as tourists there to spend money, even then they frown if they see you with a Bible. In places like Saudi Arabia for example, they will not allow you to enter the country with a Bible, it is a crime to have a Bible, but the same Muslims can come here, bring all the Quoran they want, build mosques, Islamic centers, go to our prisons to convert people to Islam, etc. how fair is that? How stupid does that make us?
Among all religions, Islam is the least compatible with the modern world. It is extremely intolerant, misogynist, extremely violent with a culture of death, and denies basic human rights. Willingly allowing Islam in a country is like willingly growing deadly cancer in a human body. Our country or any western country will be better off without Islam or Muslims.
Plenty of Christians have lived here their entire life (about half the population is Christian) and have no problems.
I hear you.I only see violence and problems wherever they are.I wish they all would leave. Hey try to move to a middle eastern country and start a christian church,do you think you would live long?
Wow, have you ever read any propaganda pieces from the 1930's about Jews? Either you have, or you were brilliant enough to come up with fear driving propaganda on your own.
Our constitution keeps church from state, period. Many Christians have been trying to bring religion into our government for centuries, and this nation has been over 50% christian for the entire time. Muslims account for less than 1% of the population here. Do you really think they could do that, even if that were the total lock step goal of every Muslim?
ron17571: There are dozens of Christian churches here in this Middle Eastern country (United Arab Emirates)
Funny, roni. I see a lot of violence and hatred where ever you psuedo Christians go.
what a wonderful disease these religions are.
Justifying religion requires acrobatic twists and turns of logic. Choosing not to invent a god or gods is much simpler.
So your part of the descended from monkeys or space aliens crowd?
I believe you are referring to what we like to call science.
Don't understand much about evolution, do you, roni? No where does evolutionary theory claim that homosapiens evolved from a "monkey". My, my. Such ignorance.
GET THE F___K OUT and go back to where ever rock you crawled out of.
@all religious bigots and finger-pointers. If I remember my history correctly, there was a thing called 'the Hundred Years War' in Europe, where Catholics and Protestants enjoyed killing each other in droves. Nor should I remind folks about the Inquisition, which persecuted tons of Jews and Indigenous peoples. Islam is no more violent than any other religion, past or present. There are vicious fundamentalists in all faiths, as well as exploiters of religion who pervert it for political power and for gold, who murderously pray with a heart full of fraud to the God of their choice. No Christian, Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist or even an atheist or agnostic can claim to bloodless hands. Just look at the international news.
Yes mankind has done horrendous things.At least western cultures have moved on. Now our government kills people for? peace? money? Muslims in Afganistan kill us because were infidel invaders.Islam is at war with the west and our leaders just dont want to say it outloud.As a christian i would want to convert you but not kill you if your not of my faith,islam states differently in the Koran.
Sir, Did you ever read the Quran and share in the form here where it asks it's followers to kill others? In this age its not difficult to go on the internet to find out anything one wants to read? I am very privileged to have the opportunity to travel all over including in the States. My personal opinion about people are they are just like angels. They are friendly, caring, loving individuals. I am blessed with their deep friendship. My friends have also come out to visit us, mixed with common people. None of us have ever found out we are different. Its not wise to genaralize people by faith, culture, color or geography.
#33.1 - Fri Aug 17, 2012 8:13 PM CDT
Evidently, Western culture has not moved on, roni. In fact, it would appear that many have been left far back.
The vast majority here have not even managed to read the religious texts belonging to the Christian religion they claim to be followers of. It is a safe assumption they have not read the Quran, either.
It's the Russian's fault - they make, flood the markets, and sell the AKs, to the radical Muslims in the world! Of course we are not much better selling our tools of war to our allies! [:-(]
Religion sucks.
All this hysteria about Sharia Law is a made up political tool. First off, there are FOUR different schools of Sharia Law, from the liberal to the most conservative. So differentiate what you people are talking about. Secondly, Christians have a nasty history of forcibly converting others, too. You might say, Muslim's reactionaries learned it from Christians, who preceded Islam a good two and half centuries earlier. It was Christians who closed the Platonic Academy of Athens, and helped usher in Europe's Dark Ages. Ironically, it was Muslilm scholars, along with their Jewish counterparts, who preserved the writings of Plato, Aristotle and other of the Greek philosophers. Further, it was Muslims who imported knowledge acquired from India and China into the West, in the sciences, printing and the arts. I'm not a Muslim, yet I know at least that much.
So, if you don't like Western civilization, move to an OIC hell hole and have a big time. Sheesh, I can't stand pansy-assed equivocators who apologize for Islam. Are you an adult male? Seriously? Have you noticed that we're talking about TODAY and not about centuries ago? Sharia is horrible and you know it. I don't give a sh*t about how many schools there are. Why are you defending it? If you're as smart as you think you are, you know that Islam and sharia are antithetical to Western civilization. I don't know if you're an American or not, but if you are, don't defend Islam and don't defend sharia. Muslims will slit the throats of every one of you dhimmis the first chance they get. Your ass-kissing Islam will get you nowhere with Muslims and you know it.
yeah...sesamee street is over, they have an agenda convert or get your head cut off.
You guys must be living in some fantasy world if you think : 1. Vinayaka said anything about not liking western civilization and 2. Every muslim wants you to convert or die.
No, Jake, you're the one that's delusional. You know nothing about Islam - try confining yourself to topics you know something about rather than spewing your ignorance for all to see.
The same goe to you, Mr. PrayHard - your ignorance is what feeds your bigotry and hate; people like you are part of the problem in this country. You are like the extremeists you hate - only on the christian side. Either way, extremists like you are the problem.
Gumps I think you misread my post. I was saying that about prayhard, and ms. warden. Learn to read.
Sorry Jake - my bad.
amen brother.
Should read "Attacks on US by Muslims Prompts Security Concerns About Mosques" ...
Islam is poison.
What makes christianity better?
its not.not by a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong shot.burn the witch.
I don't agree with muslims, I don't have any desire to be involved in islam. But I do beleive in the constitution and the 1st amendment right that states congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. So if a person chooses to pursue islam and they are a american citizen they have that right in this country. That does not mean you have to like it, but should let them excerise their rights , just like I exercise my rights and you excercise your rights.
Well said, Mike. Freedom of religion applies to all Americans, not just Christians.
Those were written with jeudeo-christian values in mind. I've examined the original 12 documents and everyone without exception reads like that.
Mrs. Warden you should go make a christian theocracy in bfe, and start your own inquisition, but in the meantime how about letting everyone in the United
States practice religion as they see fit.
It would be interesting to see the headline rewritten to coincide with the real truth; something like...
Attacks on the Buildings Used by Those That Fund the Terrorists That are Killing Americans Creating a Security Threat Within the Terrorist Communities"
Of course the terrorists and the leftist terrorist apologists would not like that very much so as usual they are obliged here at the MSNBC Psyche Ward...
i want to be a rhasta and be left alone.
Glad to see that the homosexual attack in DC on a conservative christian organization isn't considered a hate crime. even though he was a member of a homosexual power organization.
a homosexual power organization.sounds sado/masacisticly gay.i guess they want members.being gay and all.
Aren't they still investigating that shooting? It's a bit soon to be filing charges -- it took weeks before they charged the Aurora theater shooter. If it's a hate crime, (and it looks like it is to me), the shooter should be charged with that. Just because the Family Research Council is a hate group, doesn't mean people should be barging in there and shooting security guards.
islam is a murder cult , nothing more
Only 7 words but an infinite amount of ignorance, bigotry, and hate.
Islam is soon to see its own 9-11
Islam is going have the anti christ in its own back yard. their going to be too busy to mess with the usa.
Mrs. Warden,
Who dresses you in the morning? You can't possilby be capable of managing things like buttons and shoelaces.
Perhaps every Muslim should exercise their 2nd Amendment rights and not only start stocking up handguns and assault weapons with extended magazines and clips - and also should start showing up in large numbers to get training and apply for concealed weapons permits.
Just curious if enough Muslims started buying assault weapons, extended magazines, thousands of rounds of ammo and stockpiling all of it how long it would take before we would start seeing Conservatives start up a chant about having to do something about all of those guns and ammo....
Good wholesome Christians would never think of stocking up on as much guns & ammo as they can get their hands on...
Since 9/11 there have been 19,500 terrorist attacks perpetrated by Muslims -- not non-Muslims. Now the rest of the world may be getting fed up with that so called 'religion of peace' because of those attacks.
Acts of terrorism are very vague, it depends on which side you are on. The line between freedom fighter and terrorist is a thin one. The British undoubtedly looked upon colonists as terrorists, but I think we would say freedom fighter.
Thank you Republican Party for supporting radical reactionaries and the white power movement.
What evidence do you have that the Republican party supports radical reactionaries and the white power movement? It sounds like you are just yakking.
What evidence? Did you seriously ask that question? Really? Really?
American troops are finding out what the British learned in 1842 and the Soviets learned in 1989. The Afghan culture is a primitive, xenophobic one in which most of the people hate outsiders, especially infidels.
The American culture is the most xenophobic, ethnocentric culture on the face of the earth.
the gas chamber rules.no no the electric chair rules.no the gallows is the way.no the fireing squad is the true path.drowning is the way it should be.no beheading is the truth and the light.no burning at the stake is what our fore fathers wanted,no.......its all the same.
All Muslims should be deported from the Western World...there is no place in our culture for a Third World religion that wishes to eliminate ALL other faiths and turn our women into second class citizens!!
NO FREE TRADE WITHOUT FULL EMPLOYMENT!!
Then you would be referring to Christianity.
Christians are just as violent as Muslims. The recent trends of
Christian radicalism are disturbing. Nothing causes as much hate as religion...
Except liberalism.
Well if you set out to prove how ignorant you are in a single comment, I think you've succeeded.