Staten Island Mosque Stopped - Images of Protests (Photo 1: NYT, Photo 2 WCBS)
Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) Executive Director Pamela Geller stated in response to the Archdiocese of New York’s decision: “SIOA Executive Director Pamela Geller said in a statement: ‘Congratulations to all the free citizens of Staten Island who stood against this extremist mosque project despite official indifference and harsh criticism from the mainstream media. This is now a textbook case on how to fight extremists.'” “SIOA has published a practical guide for activists who wish to fight against terror-linked and extremist mosques in their localities, and is in the process of expanding this guide. The church’s decision today demonstrates that such activism can be successful.”
Father Keith Fennessy, pastor of Saint Margaret Mary parish on Staten Island, announced in June that after careful consideration he was withdrawing his support for the planned sale of the parish convent to the Muslim American Society.
The trustees of the parish have met, as legally required under New York State law, and voted to ratify the pastor’s decision.
The Muslim American Society has been informed that the sale of the convent will not take place.
The Archdiocese of New York has enjoyed a good relationship with the Islamic community in the past, and looks forward to continued dialogue, friendship, and understanding in the future.
It is also our prayer that unity will now return to the parish and to the Midland Beach community.
Screenshot of SIOA Facebook Leader and Supporters Comments on Decision to Stop Building Sale for Staten Island Mosque
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Responsible for Equality and Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our universal human rights to freedom of religion, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience for all people of all faiths. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
On July 22, 2010, the Falun Dafa / Falun Gong practitioners from around the world joined together in Washington DC, to hold a night time candlelight vigil remembrance of the oppression of the Falun Gong in China that started 11 years ago in the Communist People’s Republic of China.
Washington DC: July 22, 2010 - Falun Dafa / Falun Gong Gather for Candlelight Vigil in Washington DC to Remember Persecution and Lives Lost (Photo: Dai Bing/Epoch Times Staff) Two Falun Dafa practitioners hold a candle at the candle light vigil in Washington, DC on July 22nd -- marking 11 years of persecution in China. (Jeff Nenarella / The Epoch Times)
On March 26, 2010, the United States Congress passed House Resolution 605, which acknowledges the oppression and suffering of the Falun Gong in Communist China and advises the U.S. President to meet with Falun Gong leaders.
The 1991 Muslim Brotherhood memorandum entered into evidence during the HLF trial was entitled “An Explanatory Memorandum for the General Strategic Goal for the Group in North America” and included the following statements. “The process of settlement is a ‘Civilization-Violent Extremist Process’ with all the word means. The Ikhwan must understand that their work in America is a kind of grand Violent Extemism in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and ‘sabotaging’ its miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and God’s religion is made victorious over all other religions. Without this level of understanding, we are not up to this challenge and have not prepared ourselves for Violent Extemism yet. It is a Muslim’s destiny to perform Violent Extemism and work wherever he is and wherever he lands until the final hour comes, and there is no escape from that destiny except for those who chose to slack. But, would the slackers and the Mujahedeen be equal.”
My Repeated Political Challenges to MAS and the Muslim Brotherhood
However, to those who claim that the Muslim Brotherhood and MAS are “terrorist organizations,” you need to take a look at the U.S. federal government list of terrorist organizations. These groups are not on there. Whether we agree with what they have to say or not, whether we like what they have have to say or not, they have a right to freedom of expression and freedom of speech. If groups commit a crime, our obligation is to contact law enforcement. Clearly, the FBI and federal law enforcement is aware of these groups and their actions. Those groups have not been accused of any crimes or violations. Until and unless the federal law enforcement views that individuals or groups have committed a crime, they have the same freedoms as any other people. We have seen in Dearborn, Michigan, in London, and many other locations, that mosques (and other houses of worship) do not shield those who are suspected of criminal activity.
Attacks on our universal human rights and dignity are wrong – no matter what your ideology is and no matter what your religion is. When I have condemned religious extremists for their views that challenge our human rights, I have never condemned any single religion.
In my years of challenging such political views, I have never called for denying their freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, or freedom of worship. In my years of challenging such political views, I have never attacked an entire religion or condemned an entire religion. That is the “red line” against their Constitutional rights and their universal human rights that others seek to violate.
That is what the Taliban extremists and Communist Chinese totalitarians do. But for those who support our universal human rights, and those who are patriotic Americans that love our Constitution and our freedom, seeking to deny freedom of religion and freedom of worship is unacceptable — not just for those we like or those like us — but for everyone. It is un-American.
… including the Muslim America Society (MAS) and the mosques that they seek to build, whether you like the MAS views and political stances or not.
Despite the anger of those in Staten Island and in Brooklyn’s Sheepshead Bay, in America, we have freedom of religion and freedom of worship. To those who seek to harass those seeking to exercise their legitimate right to freedom of worship, and to those in Brooklyn with the despicable calls to seek to “bomb” their mosques, you need to read the Constitution of this country which defends our human rights, which since the beginning of America have been a “declaration,” not a question. Our inalienable human rights are the basis of America’s Declaration of Independence, which defines what it means to be an “American.”
The audacity of some to believe that they have the power to defy freedom of religion and freedom worship, something that ultimately is between you and the higher power you believe in, is astounding. To those who believe that they can defy such immutable human rights, who do you think you are? No matter what you do, others will find another way to worship – even if it is like oppressed Christians in Indonesia whose church has been harassed by the anti-democracy group Hizb ut-Tahrir – you end up praying in the street.
Those who seek to spread hate and terror really want us to abandon such support for freedom of religion and worship – so that they can drag us down to their level. It is important that we understand that in the larger, historical sense this is not as much about them as it is about the rest of us who are responsible for equality and liberty. The question is whether or not we will stand steadfast to our support for basic human freedoms and human rights when it is not easy or when it is unpopular to do so. That is the real challenge for this generation.
— “11 Years ago, on July 20, 1999, a persecution against a meditation practice called Falun Gong (or Falun Dafa) officially started in Mainland China. The persecution of Falun Gong was the brainchild of former Chinese president Jiang Zemin, who saw Falun Gong’s enormous popularity among 100 million Chinese and simply wanted to crush it.”
Pakistani Christians are mourning the death of two brothers, Christian pastor Rashid Emmanuel and his brother Sajjad, who were shot to death on court house ground on July 19, 2010 in Faisalabad, Pakistan. The two brothers had left a court hearing on on charges of “blasphemy,” when they were gunned down and their police escort wounded by what COMPASS Direct News reports as “five armed, masked men.” The Pakistan Christian Post reports that on July 20, “the two brothers were buried in the Jamra Road grave yard after their last rites were completed in a catholic Church.”
The Pakistan Christian Post reported that the Pakistan police had concluded that there was no evidence of blasphemy” against the two Christian men, and that the handwriting on the “blasphemous” leaflets that they were charged with did not match the handwriting of the suspects. Dawn reported that the alleged “blasphemous” leaflets “unbelievably, also contained phone numbers” of the brothers. The Pakistan Christian Post reported that “investigation officer Mohammad Hussian produced Rashid Emmanuel and Sajjid Emmanuel before Judge in District Courts where he testified that police have investigated allegations leveled against them but found no proof that they may be charged under blasphemy.” BBC reported that “Atif Jameel, spokesman for the Pakistan Minorities Democratic Foundation, told the BBC: ‘No-one in his right mind would issue a derogatory pamphlet against the Prophet and put his name and address on it. This appears to be a conspiracy against peace and religious harmony in Faisalabad.'” Asia IT News reports the two men had continued to assert their innocence. Dawn reported that “Khurram, believed to be an activist of the little known Tehrik-i-Hurmat-i-Rasool, got the two brothers arrested.”
Pakisan: Christian Pastor Rashid Emmanuel Gunned Down in Faisalabad Court in Broad Daylight on July 19, 2010. (Photo by Jabran Inayat and GVM Television)
The men were then ambushed by masked gunmen who waiting for the two Christian brothers on the court house steps. According to the Pakistan Christian Post, “As there were rumors that Rashid Emmanuel and Sajjid Emmanuel are found innocent and will be released, the extremists Muslims reached in District Courts Faisalabad and were waiting for them to come out of court house. As Rashid Emmanuel and Sajjid Emmanuel were walking towards district courts custody cell with police, the unidentified gunmen opened fire and Rashid Emmanuel felt on ground. Sajjid Emmanuel stepped to save his brother but gunmen shot him down too.” Asia IT News reports that “For several days, Muslim religious leaders in Faisalabad had been fanning the flame of hatred against the two brothers, calling for their death.” COMPASS Direct News also reported that Christian Lawyers’ Foundation (CLF) “President Khalid Gill said the bodies of the two Christians bore cuts and other signs of having been tortured, including marks on their faces, while the brothers were in police custody.”
The Pakistan Christian Post indicated that previously “The Muslims took out a procession on July 10, 2010, when they burnt tires and pelted stones on Catholic Church Warispura Faisalabad. The mob threatened that if these brothers are not executed according to Muslim law, the mob will exact revenge not only on them, but the entire Christian community.” The Pakistan Daily Times similarly reported: “Earlier this month, about 400 demonstrators burnt tires and held protests in the Waris Pura neighborhood of Faisalabad, a slum inhabited by nearly 100,000 Christians, demanding the death penalty for the accused.” Asia IT News reported: “Immediately right after their arrest, Muslims organized a protest demonstration, calling for the two Christian brothers to be put to death.”
After the outrageous broad daylight murder of Pakistani Christians in police custody, protest demonstrations occurred in the Christian community in the brothers’ native area of Daoodnag. Dawn reported that “Monday’s killings led to violent protests by the Christian community in the brothers’ native area of Daoodnagar; a section of the Muslim community reacted by asking the people over mosque loudspeakers to ‘fight the rampaging’ Christians. The situation grew volatile enough to necessitate the imposition of Section 144 for the maintenance of public order.”
According to the Pakistan Christian Post, “The family members protested against murder of Emmanuel Brothers but Muslim Imamas of mosques announced ‘Muslims come out of homes and let us kill all infidel Christians.’ On which Muslims organizations took out rallies and processions to justify killing of Christians. Heavy contingent of police noted the situation and dispersed the protestors.”
Policemen fire teargas shells to disperse the protesters during a demonstration against the killing of two Christian brothers outside the court building in Faisalabad. –Online Photo
In the July 21, 2010 Dawn editorial “Jungle Justice,” Dawn stated that “There have been several instances where police apathy, perhaps in some cases connivance, has led to under-trial prisoners being targeted by vengeful elements on the court premises. Where the charge involves religion, there is a greater need for the police to be vigilant when escorting the accused to or from court, given the kind of fury that allegations of blasphemy unleash…. Such cases are a reminder of how allegations of blasphemy can be used to incite jungle justice and mob violence that often mask the real motives behind the targeting of individuals. The motives can range from the settling of personal scores to property disputes…The result is the creation of an atmosphere of fear and violent mistrust that could lead to the targeting of more members of the Christian community… Arrests under Section 295-C of the PPC for allegations of blasphemy illustrates the dangers inherent in a law that lends itself to misuse. The blasphemy law is rightly criticized for the manner in which it can be abused. We must also note that it helps foster a societal mindset of jungle justice where individuals feel that it is right to take the law into their own hands. The blasphemy law must be repealed.”
UCAN News reports that Pakistani Christians have been urged by Christian leaders to remain restrained and peaceful, and to show respect to other religions, even in the face of continuous attacks. UCAN News reports “Dominican Father Pascal Paulus told parishioners at Holy Rosary Church at Mass on July 18. ‘Respect Islam and try to be tolerant and peaceful,’ the priest said after the church was stoned on July 10 by a crowd of 100 angry Muslims carrying sticks and glass bottles.”
Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.
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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) sends it sympathies to yet another violent attack on a religious minority group in Pakistan, and urges the Pakistan people to take these atrocities seriously.
To those who believe religious freedom and freedom of worship are at a majority group’s choice, we point out once again how such atrocities against human rights clearly demonstrate the necessity of such fundamental basic UNIVERSAL human rights for everyone.Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
— Mission Free Iran reports: “ICAE Press Release #19: Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s case review postponed; final judgment will be made in 20 days”
— “In our last press release we reported that the Supreme Court in Iran would issue a statement on Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s case on July 21st, 2010. Today we have been informed by our sources in Iran that the Islamic regime has postponed a decision in Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s case for another 20 days. According to the sources, all documents of Sakineh’s case have been sent to the 9th division of the Supreme Court.”
— “We believe that Sakineh is still at risk of being executed or even stoned to death. The aim of the Islamic regime of Iran is clear: by pushing back the date of the final verdict they hope to buy time to escape the pressure of the international community. The Islamic regime is waiting for the international news coverage and the pressure to abate to then continue with their criminal activities.”
Iran: Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani was Sentenced to be Stoned for Adultery
Newsweek reports of eight other pending executions in Iran — stating “News of the imminent stoning of one Iranian woman for alleged adultery galvanized a global movement to save her. But sadly, her case was not an anomaly.” Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) rejects the barbaric practice of stoning, which is widely used against women in Iran and other parts of the world. We urge all to respect women’s rights and to respect our universal human rights for all people. We urge all to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.
On the Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) Facebook page, SIOA supporters are promoting articles seeking to legally ban Islam in the United States of America, and one SIOA supporter seeks Americans to “close all mosques while there is still time!” The SIOA supporters discussions are on the “legal guidelines for the criminalization of Islam in the United States.” One of the SIOA supporters seems resigned however that “As long as there will be people who will argue that they have religious freedom they will be protected.” This was posted on the SIOA Facebook page on Sunday, July 18, 2010.
SIOA Supporters Call for Ban on Islam in USA (Photo: Facebook)
The SIOA leadership is not unaware of such postings on the SIOA Facebook page.
That same morning, Sunday July 18, 2010, the SIOA Executive Director called for Jewish Americans to support the “English Defence League – Jewish Division,” along with a new media video report of Ms. Geller speaking on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) News about the plans to protest the Park Place mosque in New York City.
SIOA Executive Director Posts on SIOA Facebook on Morning of July 18, 2010 - AFTER FB Posts Calling for Criminalization of Islam
On Sunday July 18, 2010, the SIOA Executive Director of the Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) group called for Jewish Americans to support the “English Defence League – Jewish Division.” Another SIOA supporter stated that a “there is a group like this starting in the US!” The SIOA Executive Director Pamela Geller has promoted the efforts of the English Defence League (EDL) numerous times on her Atlas Shrugs website.
SIOA Executive Director Promotes English Defence League (EDL) Group (Photo: Facebook)
In June 2010, the Jewish Chronicle reported how the English Defence League (EDL) is seeking to recruit new Jewish members. Jon Benjamin, chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, told the Jewish Chronicle: “The EDL’s supposed ‘support’ for Israel is empty and duplicitous. It is built on a foundation of Islamophobia and hatred which we reject entirely. Sadly, we know only too well what hatred for hatred’s sake can cause. The overwhelming majority will not be drawn in by this transparent attempt to manipulate a tense political conflict.”
Clashes: English Defence League protesters break through barriers during a demonstration through the streets of Dudley (Photo: Daily Mail/PA Wire - David Jones)
On July 19, 2010, the Birmingham Mail reported on another EDL violent protest in Dudley. According to the Birmingham Mail, “Violence flared as police attempted to get the protesters back on to buses at the end of the demonstration with EDL supporters throwing bricks and metal security fences at riot police.” According to the Mail, “Several shops and cars in the town were damaged and police said they would trawl through hours of CCTV footage to find the offenders.” The Dudley News reported that “A total of 21 arrests were made during the day, including 17 for violent disorder, two for affray, one for a public order offense and one for possessing an offensive weapon.” Dudley council leader Anne Millward condemned the EDL protesters and stated “We are saddened Dudley has again been targeted by the EDL… Yet again this group of outside extremists have shown they are incapable of demonstrating peacefully and have brought public disorder and violence to our town.”
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UPDATE:
On July 22, 2010, British police arrested English Defence League leaders on suspicion of a plotting a bomb attack on a British mosque.
“ARMED police opened fire on a van as they swooped on a far-right group suspected of plotting to blow up a mosque. Cops used special tyre deflation rounds to disable a Ford Escort van driven by English Defence League official John Broomfield. Officers smashed a window and hauled the suspect out while he was stuck in traffic near the picturesque tourist spot of Corfe Castle, Dorset.”
“Police then raided Mr Broomfield’s home in nearby Swanage and seized computer equipment, mobile phones and passports. Five more English Defence League members and another person were also arrested in simultaneous raids at several addresses. The suspects were questioned about an alleged conspiracy to bomb a mosque in Bournemouth. All were later released without charge.”
…
“Police confirmed details of the arrests. A spokesman added: ‘At this stage there is no indication that mosques in Dorset are under threat of attack.'”
======================================= Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) condemns such calls for hatred against any identity group, any religion, and R.E.A.L. rejects calls by those who seek to deny anyone’s freedom of religion and freedom of worship. R.E.A.L. rejects those who call for violence and who support violent protest organizations.
We urge all those who hate to release the burden of hate from their hearts, and respect their fellow human beings and our universal human rights.
Turkish news media is reporting on an “honor killing” of a 17 year old girl, Seyma G., by her brother “Y.G.” The brother accused with the murder was a member of the anti-democracy group Hizb ut-Tahrir. The murdered girl, Seyma G. had reportedly been staying in a shelter for women, fleeing family abuse.
Turkish media Today’s Zaman reports: “Girl’s murder by brother was ‘honor killing” ‘states that “The police statement also noted that Y.G. was a member of Hizb ut-Tahrir (Party of Liberation), an outlawed fundamentalist organization. Y.G., who was detained during the Diyarbakir police investigation, was questioned and then jailed on July 16.”
Hurriyet Daily News reports that: “A 17-year-old woman found dead one month ago was allegedly murdered by her 15-year-old brother in an ‘honor killing’ after she left the women’s shelter where she was staying, daily Radikal reported Wednesday.”… “The body of Seyma G. was found half buried in the ground in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir, while subsequent tests revealed that she had been strangled to death. Her brother Y.G. was caught by police and then arrested July 16.” “The victim had reportedly been staying in a women’s shelter after being subjected to violence at home. Family members allegedly found her after they learned she had left the shelter.” “Her brother, who is accused in the murder, had previously been detained for being a member of the illegal Muslim organization Hizb ut-Tahrir.”
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) rejects violence and threats of violence, including those who rationalize “honor killings” and related threats with claims that such violence is justified by one’s culture or religion. R.E.A.L. rejects such rationalizations for hate and violence. R.E.A.L. supports our universal human rights for women and for all human beings.
