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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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Leave a Comment:
It is just so sad now ignorant people are. Anyone that believes in god knows how very wrong it is to attack a place of worship no matter what religion.
Yes Kanwal16, look at all the mosques, churchs, other religious places the Arab people have attacked, all in the name of their God. What does that tell you about the Muslum God, and most if not all, of the Muslum people? So yes, by your thinking, Muslums are ignorant people.
Yes people-coming to a city near you---these are sleeper cells-for a future holy war on this land. not houses of worship. its a set up and we are allowing this to happen. Join the future bomb makers of America. too bad we can't deport them to China. Wonder how many muslims they let come into that country every year. Yeah right.
I wish people would just let other people be. It is ignorance that brings them to violence.
I have to disagree. It is evil in their hearts that brings them to violence.
it's a master plan. they are slowly coming here a little at a time (and other countries too). then all of a sudden all hell will break loose- a HOLY war on our soil-too bad the whites already killed off most of the American Natives, at least they wouldv'e help to defend this country.
wheres lady ga-ga when you need her?? They were born that way! Animals, no more no less. Deport them to China along with our jobs
Nope. Ignorance feeds violence and is the very foundation of evil, lunatic.
What do you call a bunch of idiots sitting around eating apples, singing songs, and drinking tab? The moron tab and apple choir.............if the world becomes complacent the peace loving Muslims will eventually take us back about 3000 years and we can all go kiss a rock in Mecca that was a gift from Mohammed. To all you all (thats plural for yall) present day folks we call them metorites, and there's nothing special about that particular rock in Mecca other than it came from space where there are a few quadrillion more just like it waiting for their "special" time.
Let's see, we were hanging out in the desert watching the stars, the camels, and the women (at that particular junction in humanity there wasn't much else to do at night after the camel crap fire went out) and lo and behold a blazing rock falls from the sky and barbque's a couple of the herd but the survivors just know they have a new powerful gimic. Lets cover it with gold, align it with some wierd star, cover it with granite and silver, ask for admission.......and man we got it made. Gotta love humanity and their ingenuity to create a whole religion out of a rock from space.
We get complacent we will all be puckering up and kissing that rock.
Why the Mormon joke? They mess with you?
I wonder how the same folks you speak of out in the desert ever came up with the idea of throwing rocks at a rock?
I wouldn't worry too much about folks in the US getting too complacent.
thats probably where they got the idea thats is ok to stone people
Kind of like all those fairy tales out of the Bible like talking snakes and burning bushes, walking on water, 3 wise men, floods and arks, the parting of seas, and disappearing bodies, huh?
Interesting thing about the stories of Jesus. The first 30 years of his life on earth.....blank. His mother, his brothers and his sisters and neighbors tell us nothing that he did, say or create. Is this a God sent to save people? Jesus was born in the community of the chosen people (chosen by their God ...the Jews) in a nation create by their God (Israel) yet, while Jesus who on this earth the pagan Romans ruled over the Jews in Israel and Jesus had no problem with that. The only people who seemed to angry Jesus and the people with whom he fought....were the religious leaders....not the politicial leaders.
What are you talking about? And what does it have to do with this news story?
"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"
It's too bad that the Muslim communities in most countries in the far East don't do the same for local Christian and Jewish groups. To be a Christian, or God forbid a Jew, is most often a very dangerous thing. I find it interesting that US Muslims expect, and rightly so, protection in this country, but seemingly do nothing about the religious persecution of other religions in their homelands.
Religious idiots of every kind threaten our freedoms. The Christian Right wants no sex education, no birth control, and no sexual freedoms they deem "inappropriate". Most muslims are NOT bad people. They don't like what many other people do, but they would never hurt or kill them.
This is not just a muslim issue. We have lunatic "so-called" christians who are threatening our freedoms more than any muslim ever has.
Do your "so-called" Christians shoot and bomb folks just because they belong to another religion? I don't remember the last time a group of Baptist men took one of their women out back and shot her, for being seen alone with a male not of her family. I know of no other religion that, world wide, is involved in more terror than Islam. I agree, most are NOT bad, but the 'most' don't seem to make much of a fuss when their radical brethren kill and maim in the name of the SAME god!
I am sure there are many families in the New York area that would strongly disagree with your last statement!
Funny how any story brings out the Christian bashers. Poor, insecure, fearful haters. To see so much hatred aimed at my religion just confirms to me that it is the one true religion. Jesus said the world would hate us because it hated Him. Satan isn't afraid of the false religions, just Christianity, so it has to be real. Rave on, haters.
Freddy.......Listen you Muslim freak, what ever it is that your trying to sell, nobody's buying!!!!
Freddy, pearls before swine.
Freddy sez:
True.
Wish it were true. There are unfortunately at least tens of thousands of fervent Muslims who gladly hurt and kill in the name of Islam. At least hundreds of thousands of Muslims who approve. Still not a majority of Muslims, no, but WAY TOO MANY who are like that.
Uh, yes Boom they do. Read history or the news much?
And, Adam44, there are just as many "fervent" Christians who would willingly do the same. And have.
The loudest voice against Muslim terrorism needs to be from the Muslim community.
When people professing to be Christian do things expressly forbidden by the Bible, Christians are the first to speak up about them not following the Bible. The silence from the Muslim groups following the 9/11 bombings spoke for itself.
Some one kills sikh's because he thinks they're muslim. That's the idiots we are dealing with.
That racist scumbag in Wisconsin didn't kill the Sikhs because he thought they were Muslims. He killed them because they were exotically foreign in his demented, hate-filled head.
thanks Adam, he didn't run in the mosque saying "In the name of Christ" he was a nazi skin-head whatever. he didn't like non whites, said nothing about what he thought the people were
*shrug* Who cares if a bunch of mosques get shot up? Taste of your own medicine.
Golly. Great idea. Since it was Christians that lynched people for all those years, we should just break into random churches and lynch us some Jewish Zombie lovers. OK?
There you go, BuffaloesRoam. The hypocrisy around here abounds.
Would have been nice if they expressed this same solidarity for the families of those killed on 9/11.
They were not given the opportunity. Too many racist, ignorant Christians beating the hell out of them on the street.
The people beating the hell out of them were definitely racist, and definitely ignorant, but not Christian (despite their claims). REAL Christians speak out against violence.
I wonder how they will like living with a little fear of being attacked for a change, like Americans have to wonder when the next terrorist attack on this country is going to be!!!!
THESE Mosques are probably future sleeper cells. they will build enough to get the numbers up. one here one there. then all hell will break loose. a holy war right here. I give it about 30 years or so. we need to beef up our security!!!! people get your heads out of the clouds-you wont know what hit you./ Coming to a city near you........
It always amazes me how an article like this brings out the Christian haters. It is total ignorance that makes one point a finger at Christians over something like this. Jesus said His followers would be known by the keeping of His commandments. One of those commandments is "Thou shalt not kill." He said if you hate then you have committed murder in your heart. Christians don't kill innocent people. They don't attack innocent people. Yet, every time there is an attack reported on the news, the Christian bashers come out in full force. The word "Christian" means "Christ-like." I can't see Jesus attacking a mosque. Maybe going in and cleaning it out, but not shooting its members. Why don't you haters grow up and stop trying to project your contempt for my beliefs into situations that cannot possibly involve Christians? Your behavior is so juvenile.
Tiedof, you of course are not listening. That's because you are no christian.
I often see the following quote attributed to Mahatma Gandhi regarding Christianity:
Islam presents a different problem which I would frame as follows:
Muslims are for the most part okay, just people like everyone else on planet earth, except... the Islam they follow is a profoundly intolerant creed. So the more fervent and committed a Muslm is to Islam, the more dangerous he is to any Non-muslim who encounters him, for he will never accept "the other" in peace or equality and will always strive to make Islam supreme and force all others under its subjugating law.
I have often said if Christians spent more time behaving in a Christlike manner, and less time screaming "I'm a Christian" this world would be much better off.
Ditto.
You both missed my point.
Adam44
Indeed it does appear they have missed your point Adam
As for your point I believe you was saying that the problem does not lay with Muslims themselves but rather the creed they follow correct? Of course I would have to say that it’s not so easy to separate the two after all Islam is the fundamental foundation of a Muslims Identity (after all you cannot be a Muslim without practicing Islam) and yes whilst there are fundamentalists who follow all aspects of Islam and literally at that (like no time has passed since it was first written) I would point out that there are also a large number of other faiths who do the same too (as in follow a literal interpretation of their faiths) now granted their numbers are smaller but as I believe I have often pointed out, the circumstances between those who follow an extreme versions of Islam and those who follow and extreme version of other faiths are different (would you not agree their?) Finally IK would say that from my studies in that region (say the Koran and the Bible) I have found that one is no more extreme in content then the other, after all whilst the Koran does have a great deal of violent commands in it, so too does the Old Testament, which may not be applicable to most Christians but to those who are fundamentalists it still has weight.
From the beginning of time most wars are because of religion. Mankinds belief systems is the root cause. What about all the thousands of horrific attacks,persecutions and murders and slaughters done to Christians in other 'muslim-islam' countries ! The media and mainstream News never reports what is done to Christians by those muslims in many other countries. Many 'sleepers' -the enemy from with in ,are in the muslim 'communities' in America -they act so peacful but hate America and have ulterior motives and hidden agendas.Do we want 'sharia' law here and their false religion to undermine and sabotage our USA ?
Would you like to list every single war that ever happened on earth and determine which were cause by religion? You won't because you can't. Just buy into every anti-religious statement you hear and hope that some of them are right. You're making the statement. Now back it up.
There are hundreds and hundreds of history books out there with that information. Try reading one or two.
God is all loving, and absolutely incredible in the miracles I've been blessed to see.
All religions are man-made. IMHO, man-made religions have always been lacking. It feels like, since 9-11, all religion has reached a point where they do more harm than good. I try hard to see the forest through the ugliness of some trees, but living in Murfreesboro Tennessee really obstructs the view:(
Religion seems like just one more way to seperate, alienate and annihilate.
The baggers idea would be to arm EVERYONE, Idiots
Such a stupid comment makes you the idiot.
Muslims stone their daughters to death for being raped and strap bombs to children.
And Christians send there sons to their schools dto do their dirty work for them.!!!! Christians Have killed more people in the world then anyother peoples that have ever exsited. How GODLY
Trantham, you are an uneducated fool! If you will do some research and become a student of history, you will find that brutal, uncivilized, savage Muslim hordes murdered more people on the Indian sub-continent alone over a 500 year period than in all of mankind's other wars combined. The people, for the most part, would not be beaten into becoming Muslims. Finally, most of the invaders departed and returned to Muslim lands.
@Trantham
Would you like to provide a body count? I bet it wouldn't match up to the godless nations of this past century. Your lack of honesty shows you don't have much of a case.
You not only don't know history kadiddlehopper, you have difficulty with numbers, as well.
E K Kadiddlehoppers
Christians killed most of the indigenous people world wide. In South America, North America, Asia, and Africa. In Europe THEY KILL each other. BY FAR THEY HAVE KILLED MORE PEOPLE ON THIS PLANET. More then all religons and all ethicitys . Christians are Humanity's Terrorists THIS IS A COMMON SENSE FACT. Alot of them here in America are down right lairs to!!!!!!!
@Trantham
If by Christians, you mean diseases, then yes, you get a gold star.
America Will Never Be a Christian Nation. Religon will NEVER BE THE Policy Of America! I Have Freedom Of Religon. I will give my life for its defence. As I an AMerica. I will choose my Reiligon NO ONE ELSE!
Imported American-not born and breed.
I'm born and bred, and my ancestors were here when the boat landed. You will not choose my religion, nor will you dictate anyone else's in this nation's.
Seewhat I mean
Unless your ancestors are all American Indian then I would say you are an "imported American".
Ignorant.
Look at all the terrorist on this page.
I have no problem with Good Christians. I have a problem with a very very large group of people Calling themselfs Christians Protmoteing terrorism in America. I have a problem with MOST other Christians for Trying a finace support and/or turning a blind eye like nothing wrong is happening. I am a fearful American. And they are the ones working hard to keep me that way. Their only problem is when I am Scare I Tattletale like Crazy!
Bigotea party and Al'quieda, cosponsors of the Book of Hate. How many more innocent human beings must die on the alter of these fanatics?
This is a terrible trend. However, we must ask, "How many Muslims have been murdered in the USA, and how would that compare to the number of Americans and others murdered on 9/11? There is an easy way to solve this problem! All Muslims simply pack up and return to one of the Muslim countries. You would be welcome there, and Bibles are not permitted. Leave your freedoms behind in the USA! But DO NOT think you are going to take our freedoms! Sorry, NOT permitted!
these animals are building sleeper cells for future holy wars on this great country of ours and claiming they are mosques! Why would people wont to live among those that they hate-get out and stay out! Take the damed Asians with you please. I'm done-too many damned freedoms here. They don't deserve what they never worked for-just a stamp in your pass-port and you think you can come here and own something. basta#%$
Put your tin foil hat back on, seewhatImean. Your craziness is leaking out.
Seewhat I mean188
"I'm done-too many damned freedoms here".
I guess you picked the wrong place to live. That is very unAmerican of you. America is about FREEDOM.
islam is satan's greatest Lie. "JESUS said, "I AM The Way, The Truth and The Life. No man comes to the Father, except by Me." John 14:6 One GOD-One Way to HIM! Glory Be To GOD!
I Choose to Keep my Freedom of speech and Reilgon.
NEVER 2 Follow yours
LOL
LOL JESUS SAID LOLROTF. I don't believe in your make believe Jesus
muslims, murder cult and devils
Nice, Jarhead - spoken like a true ignorant bigot.
Gunny gives Jarheads everywhere a bad name.
I am afraid most of us are putting across comments out of ignorance. In today's scenario its not very difficult to check on the internet if what we plan to write in a forum is accurate? Do we agree on the following point:"The three monotheistic religions have addressed mankind, bringing almost the same message, with a few reservations that are particularly related to rituals. That God is one and man should adore only one God, the Omnipotent and Omniscient, are common to all the three religions. The Day of Judgment is another common feature. Protection of human life and of the right of possession, sharing one’s riches with the poor, seeking peace and justice, praise of God on every occasion, giving thanks to God and praying are some other points shared by these three religions."
For a follower of Islam or Muslims as they are known their central faith or belief is:
"SURAT Al-Fatiha, 1
1.1 In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.1.2 Praise be to Allah The Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds:1.3 Most Gracious, Most Merciful;1.4 Master of the Day of Judgement.1.5 Thee do we worship, And thine aid we seek.1.6 Show us the Straight way,1.7 The way of those on whom Thou has bestowed Thy Grace, And go not astray. Amen"
Let trust and confidence in each others make this world a Happy one.
Unfortunately, the extremists and haters in every religion get all the publicity.
Most people, whether Christian, Muslim, or Jewish, just want to live in harmony.
will someone please tell me what these brainwashed killer zombies contribute to this country. The fools in washington keep letting them in to cause misery and violence, their koran is full of kill, kill, kill.
big max with the tiny brain, please tell us what brainwashed bigots like you contribute to this country.
divide and conquer? putting up mosques here and there. Over time there will be too many to keep track of. Watch, they are going to plan a holy war in 50 or so years, but they got to get enough people over here first. watch. we won't have a chance. It's happening right under our noses.
@seewhat i mean, You mean just like Christians have done countless times throughout history? I can go a mile in any direction without seeing a church, I sure hope they don't start a holy war like all the other ones they've started. Get real.
oh yes the Christians have gone around putting up churches all over this planet then started blowing up others because they don't believe the same things. Okay that was 200 years ago. this is 2012. Lock and load bitche$
What about Christian attacks on abortion clinics? or hatred against gays? These still continue today.
Oh boy - Seewhat I mean188 is using mommy's computer without her permission.
How about telling us what you contribute to this country, other than to embarrass the rest of us.