Murfreesboro Mosque Fire: Another Example of anti-Muslim Rhetoric Gone Wild

by Joanna (JuJuBe)

So, we have all heard the protests of those who claim that the planned Islamic Center NEAR Ground Zero is disrespectful towards the families of 9/11 victims. So, other than pure hatred, what is the excuse for the people opposed to building a mosque and Islamic center hundred of miles away in Murfreesboro, TN??

Early Saturday morning, someone poured flammable liquid over four pieces of equipment at the construction site of a planned Islamic center in Murfreesboro. Federal officials are investigating this as a possible arson.

Controversy has been surrounding the plan to build a center to serve the 250 Muslim families in the area (who have been using a suite in a local office building to hold services.) The planned facility includes a mosque, a community center, and athletic fields, and is slated to be completed gradually over the next few years.

But, many in the Murfreesboro community are angry over the proposed religious center. Some claim that their concern is about zoning and traffic issues, while others have made very clear that their objections are based purely on anti-Muslim sentiment.

After months of vocal opposition in meetings and in the media, apparently someone has decided to take their anger and transform it into violence. And the local Muslim community is frightened.

A local religious freedom group, Middle Tennesseans for Religious Freedom, plans to hold a “candlelight vigil in front of the Rutherford County Courthouse on Monday in response to the fire. “We simply cannot allow the actions of a few destructive individuals to go overlooked by Rutherford County residents,” said Claire Rogers, a spokesman for the group. “It’s truly a shame that we have reached this point, but it is up to us to ensure the intimidation goes no further.” (source)

Anti-Muslim bigotry has risen to epic proportions in this country. And criminal acts committed against Muslims or the property of Muslims like this recent arson attack go largely unnoticed in the media. Or, they are tacitly condoned by the majority of "good, God fearing Christians".

Imagine if this had been a Christian congregation that had been the victim of this attack. It would have been national news. And there would have been the ever present "Was this terrorism?" question asked by every media outlet. But, since Muslims are the victim, Americans smile and nod and think it is OK.

I truly find it mind boggling that a nation that was "founded" by people who LEFT their homes to seek religious freedom has evolved into a country so intolerant to people of different faiths.

It is a perversion of the concept of "freedom". But, realistically, this country NEVER practiced the ideals it preached. And this is just one more example. Besides, they were burning down black churches not too long ago.

Why Should Anyone CARE if Barack Obama is a Muslim?

By Joanna (JuJuBe)

I really wish Barack Obama WAS a “secret Muslim” as so many people in America choose to believe. I wonder what would happen if President Obama and his family were found studying the Qur’an covertly in the White House. Would there be attempts to oust him from office for the offense of not being a “good Christian”?

I would LOVE to see a Muslim in the White House. Maybe THAT would be an indication that America actually embraces the ideals it was SUPPOSEDLY founded on. I thought I would never see a Black president. I cried when Barack Obama was elected because I THOUGHT it showed progress. I did not believe that his election heralded a “post racial” society, as so many like to claim, but I thought it meant we were moving towards equality and justice. Of course, the rise of the Tea Party and the virulent anti-Obama sentiment across vast populations proved me wrong. And the anti-Muslim rhetoric running rampant across this country is further proof that we are NO WHERE NEAR a fair and just society.

I wonder if there will ever be a Muslim president…. Frankly I do not see it happening any time soon. The fact that so many American’s are “concerned” that Barack Obama is a “secret Muslim” is proof enough that anti-Muslim sentiment is the rule in this country. Because it is surely not Obama supporters who believe he is a Muslim. It is not proponents of religious freedom who are concerned with his religion. It is the people who HATE him, and use “Muslim” as a slur, an attempt to make Barack Obama look like evil personified.

I was reading an article today about the belief that many Americans seem to share: That Muslims are simply evil. That Islam is the religion of only the scum of the Earth. That the Qur’an advocates violence relentlessly. I have to wonder how many of the people who are SO anti-Muslim have actually READ anything from the Qur’an. Better yet, if they are so convinced that the Qur’an promotes a violent agenda, I have to wonder if they have ever read the Bible. Because from what I can see, the “Word of God” that Christians hold so dear is filled with murder, rape, and sexism.

Ron McNeil (R-FL): Build the "Mosque" Nine Stories Underground

I dunno what's happening in Florida, but with a Christian church proposing to hold a "Burn a Koran Day" on September 11th, I suppose what congressional candidate Ron McNeil (R-FL) had to say above isn't surprising.  Nothing like getting a few hundred thousand votes by appealing to the prejudiced mind.

So according to this prick, Islam is against the "freedom" that America represents. Wow, I never knew that about Islam; but I do know that one of said "freedoms" in America happens to be one that has to do with freedom of religion and expression, no? You'd think in a Christian nation where black churches were bombed, that such a fundamental American ideal would be endorsed without question.

I dunno who fixes the Kool-Aid for Republicans, but somebodies slippin' an idiot pill in it, that's for sure. But then again this is Florida we're talking about; I suppose all that sunshine eventually fries the brain.

TOTALLY IRRELEVANT SIDENOTE: In all fairness to the people concerned about the construction of the "mosque": we built many 'ground zeros' near mosques in Iraq since March 2003.  

I tell you what? Say what you want about kids being screwed up these days (?). But kids like Doug Reed who was willing to challenge McNeil's position, definitely gives me hope for the future of the nation.

As for the good folks of The Dove Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida?

Well, there ain't no saving them; people like Pastor Terry Jones are a lost cause as are all religious nutjobs. But don't tell them I said that; I'd hate to wake up to cross burning on my lawn in Jesus' name.



STORY HERE

The "Not-So-Ground-Zero" Mosque & Right-Wing Islamophobia

"We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must - at that moment - become the center of the universe." — Elie Wiesel

I realize that the debate over the building of an Islamic center near Ground Zero in downtown Manhattan may not be issue number one. Yes, and I'm fully aware that any attention paid to this debate plays directly into the strategy of right-wing politicians. However, unlike Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), we must not cave to the pressures of the noise-makers on the right.

To do so would be a compromise of our principles, ideals, and everything that we celebrate about America. And that would be, the very freedoms and rights afforded to everyone per the U.S. Constitution. The very same Constitution and American way of life that countless American-Muslims have died in service to the country with the utmost honor and sacrifice.


SIDE NOTE: While people protest the "Ground Zero Mosque", nobody has said a word about the Mosque that exists within the walls of the Pentagon. Was that not also a target of Islamic extremists on 9/11? Are Muslims not allowed to serve in the military?

But don't tell that to the people protesting; for only they know just what it is to be American. Don't mention the fact that American Muslims lost their lives in the tragedy that was 9/11. Further, don't mention to them that Islam is a religion of peace, that gets a bum rap due in large part to the political pandering and fear-mongering of politicians, and xenophobes alike.

Whatever you do, just like the words of the late great Howard Zinn suggests: "You cannot stay neutral on a moving train." Hopefully you stand for what is right, and what is American; I know I am, and hell I don't even do religion. I do however do politics because it impacts my life, and I believe in being as free as the U.S. Constitution allows the next man.