Month: July 2010

Dallas: Westboro Baptist Church Hate Group to Protest Holocaust Museum, Synagogue, Jewish Centers

The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), listed as a “hate group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center,  planned to picket and protest the Dallas Holocaust Museum, a Jewish synagogue (Congregation Beth el Binah), Jewish Community Center of Dallas, Yavneh Academy of Dallas, and the Texas Jewish Post, in Dallas, Texas today, July 9, 2010. In addition, the Westboro Baptist Church “hate group” plans to protest the Chabad of Dallas on Sunday, July 11, 2010.

Dallas Holocaust Museum where Westboro Baptist Church Hate Group Seeks to Protest (Photo: Dallas Holocaust Museum Web Site)
Dallas Holocaust Museum where Westboro Baptist Church Hate Group Plans Anti-Semitic Protest on July 9, 2010 (Photo: Dallas Holocaust Museum Web Site)
Dallas, Texas: Chabad of Dallas - where Westboro Baptist Church Hate Group Plans July 11 Protest (Photo: Google)
Dallas, Texas: Chabad of Dallas - where Westboro Baptist Church Hate Group Plans Anti-Semitic Protest on July 11 (Photo: Google)

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) rejects efforts to use hate and intimidation to deny our universal human rights of freedom of religion and worship.   R.E.A.L. has also posted on the previous activities by the Westboro Baptist Church to protest synagogues in New York City and in Colorado.  R.E.A.L. has reported on the Westboro Baptist Church spreading Holocaust Denial in its videos stating “you lie about the holocaust days.”

Westboro Baptist Church Hate Group Protester with Anti-Semitic Sign "God Hates Jews"
Westboro Baptist Church Hate Group Protester with Anti-Semitic Sign "God Hates Jews"

In May 2010, the Congregation Beth el Binah reported receiving a package from Westboro Baptist Church “hate group” labeled “Obama Hates Israel,” with a DVD “Jews killed Jesus”; this was reported by the Dallas Voice on May 6, 2010.

In Dallas, a non-profit organization the Resource Center Dallas is calling for members of the north Texas community to donate a dollar for each minute that the Westboro Baptist Church protests the Congregation Beth el Binah, which has outreach to the LGBT community of Dallas.  Resource Center Dallas Associate Executive Director Bret Camp has stated that “the protestors have been known to abandon their protests when they’re turned into a fundraiser.”

The Jewish Star has reported on the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC): “The automated telephone greeting at the Westboro Baptist Church features a pleasant, Southern-accented female voice who advises if you are a ‘Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, or Christ-rejecting Jew,’ that ‘God hates you all.'”

On June 24, 2010, the WBC also praised “world terror” and terrorist attacks on humanity.  The WBC group has praised terrorist bombings on a Somalia mosque, praised terrorist attacks against Iraqi Christians, and has praised the shooting and the murder of police officers.  At the end of April 2010, the Florida-based Dove World Outreach group decided to support and defend the WBC, and held a joint march with the WBC “hate group.”   Dove World Outreach’s objective is to promote a message that “Islam is of the Devil.” On July 4, the WBC’s ally Dove World Outreach held their own protest against an Islamic mosque in Gainesville, Florida.

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Some view the Westboro Baptist Church as merely “fundamentalist.” We challenge that definition and instead view their efforts to seek to deny freedom of religion, freedom of worship to others by intimidation tactics, as well as their history of praising violence against others and praising violence against law enforcement, as nothing less than a “Christian supremacist” “hate group.” We call upon all Christians to denounce the Westboro Baptist Church’s activities and their interpretation of Christianity as not representing the views of most Christians around the world.

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our universal human rights, including our universal human right of dignity, and our universal human rights of freedom of religion, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience.   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.”

We condemn such protests against houses of worship as seeking to intimidate and spread fear among those seeking their universal human rights of freedom of worship.   We urge those whose hearts are burdened by hate against others to remove the burden of hate from their hearts, and to find common cause with their fellow human beings in being responsible for equality and liberty together.

We urge all to Choose Love, Not Hate, Love Wins.

Iran: Reports that Stoning of Sakineh Ashtiani Halted

Multiple media reports indicate that the stoning sentence for Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani may have been halted, but she may still face the death penalty in another form.

— Guardian: Iran halts woman’s death by stoning
— Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani could still face death penalty, despite reprieve that follows international campaign led by her children

— CNN: Iran denying Iranian woman will be executed by stoning
— CNN: “Iran’s government is denying reports that an Iranian woman convicted of adultery will be executed by stoning, though her death sentence may still be carried out by some other method.”

— FOX News: Stoning may have been Stopped

— TVNZ: Iranian woman escapes death by stoning

Iran: Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani to be Stoned for Adultery
Iran: Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani has been scheduled to be Stoned for Adultery

Georgia: Muslim community member charged in Marietta mosque fire

— Atlanta Journal-Constitution:  “Muslim community member charged in Marietta mosque fire”
— Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports: “A member of the Muslim community is suspected of setting the fire that occurred at a Marietta mosque Monday night, Marietta fire officials said Thursday.”
— “Tamsir Mendy, 26, a native of Gambia, has been charged with 1st degree arson and is being held without bail at the Cobb County detention center, said Scott Tucker, Marietta assistant fire chief.”
— “Mosque leaders said Mendy, who describes himself as a ‘devout Muslim,’ had attended their prayer services for a few weeks, Tucker said.
— “Mendy was taken into custody around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Marietta Fire Department headquarters. He is believed to have acted alone, Tucker said.”
— “Officials have ruled out the possibility that the arson was a hate crime, and did not provide details on any possible motives for the fire.”

Aftermath of Fire at Marietta, Georgia Mosque - Arson Investigation Underway
Aftermath of Fire at Marietta, Georgia Mosque – Arson Investigation Underway
Tamsir Mendy -- Arrested in Marietta, Georgia Mosque Fire
Tamsir Mendy — Arrested in Marietta, Georgia Mosque Fire

Iran: Press Releases from Other Human Groups on Iranian Announcement on Sakineh Ashtiani

Press Releases from Other Human Groups on Iranian Government Announcement on Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani

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July 8 Mission Free Iran (MFI) Press Release

MFI Press Release: Regarding the Statement of July 8 from the Islamic Republic’s Embassy in the UK
Posted on July 8, 2010 by missionfreeiran

The Islamic Republic’s intention to stone Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani to death has unleashed a historically unprecedented amount of international public fury and pressure on the Islamic Republic. The regime did not expect this response from the world, and it has been caught off guard.

In an effort to buy time to decide how to react to the global pressure, and in an effort to reduce the intensity of the pressure that is mounting, the Islamic Republic’s Embassy in the UK has issued a statement noting that Ms. Ashtiani “will not be executed by stoning.”

This letter does not deny that Ms. Ashtiani is under a sentence of death. It does not preclude her execution by other means such as hanging. It gives no guarantee of her justly-demanded freedom.

The letter also states that stoning “has rarely been implemented in Iran.” The regime’s admission to the use of the barbaric practice of stoning nevertheless contains a documentable falsehood: evidence of the extent to which stoning has been practiced by the Islamic Republic is forthcoming.

By denying the intention to execute Ms. Ashtiani by stoning, the Islamic Republic has been forced to retreat from its preferred position, and this is a victory for us, but this is a little victory. It is a step forward, only one step.

Dissembling by the Islamic Republic notwithstanding, the Campaign to Save Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani will continue in full force until our demands are met:

1. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani must be released immediately and without condition. The world should hear her voice outside of the prison, announcing her freedom.
2. All those sentenced to be stoned for adultery must be released immediately and without condition.
3. The practice of stoning must be outlawed immediately.
4. All executions must be stopped immediately.
5. Zeinab Jalalian and Mohammad Reza Haddadi should be released immediately and without condition.

If the Islamic Republic thinks that it has seen pressure with this campaign to save Sakineh, it should recognize that this is only the beginning. The campaign to save Sakine points out our next steps: we will amplify our demands to remove the Islamic Republic from the UN Commission on the Status of Women. The Islamic Republic is indisputably undeserving of a seat on that Commission — or on any other international decision making body.

Mission Free Iran
July 8 2010

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Press Release from International Committee Against Stoning

Mina Ahadi’s rebuttal of the press release issued by the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in London on the stoning case

8 July 2010

With regards to the 8 July 2010 press release issued by the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in London on the stoning sentence of Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani:

1. The Islamic Republic of Iran has retreated to some extent due to international pressure and widespread coverage received by the international campaign to save Sakine’s life. The main aim of the embassy’s press release, however, is to create doubt and detract from the campaign to save Sakine and others sentenced to death by stoning and execution.

2. Still the press release is a clear confirmation of the barbaric act of stoning saying only that the regime rarely carries out such sentences! The International Committee Against Executions and the International Committee Against Stoning has a list of 13 people languishing for years in prison awaiting death by stoning. The real numbers are much higher.

3. The embassy’s press release says Sakine will not be stoned but it does not say what fate awaits her. They may execute her instead. The regime has retreated from stoning on a number of occasions in the past but has executed the accused instead. The execution of Abdulla Farivar in Sari prison for the alleged crime of sex outside of marriage is a case in point. Therefore, Sakine’s life is still in danger.

4. The aim of the campaign to save Sakine Ashtiani Mohammadi is for an official rescinding of her stoning and execution sentence and her unconditional release. Sex outside of marriage and the sexual relations of adults is their private affair. It is not a crime and must never be prosecuted.

5. The Islamic Republic of Iran must officially rescind the stoning and execution sentences of Sakine and all those facing stoning and execution and end the inhuman and barbaric punishment of stoning and execution.

6. Even this limited retreat is a success for Sakine and her children Sajjad and Faride as well as all the activists of the campaign against executions and stoning and decent people everywhere. Our campaign has shown that we can force the regime to back down. The embassy’s press release will not stop us from intensifying our powerful campaign. The retreat, however limited, has shown that the regime is under pressure.

I congratulate all those who have joined and supported our campaign for this limited success. I ask however that you step up your efforts for Sakine Mohammadi Ashtiani, Mohammad Reza Hadadi (juvenile offender awaiting imminent execution), Zeinab Jalilian (sentenced to death for ‘enmity against God’) and others awaiting execution and stoning. Our pressure is working. We must intensify it until we secure a victory for the people of Iran by saving the lives of Sakine and others. We mustn’t stop until we deprive the regime in Iran of this tool for suppression and murder.

International Committee against Stoning
International Committee against Execution

Mina Ahadi

8 July 2010

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Iran: Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani was Sentenced to be Stoned for Adultery
Iran: Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani was Sentenced to be Stoned for Adultery

International Protests Against Stoning July 10 and 11

LONDON, England: Saturday July 10, 2pm Trafalgar Square: Caravan through London against stoning in Iran. We will be meeting at 2pm on Trafalgar Square to do a stone-in act and then move towards other points in London staging more stone-in acts to raise awareness of Sakine’s sentence. Contact: iransolidarityuk@gmail.com or call 07507978745.

BEVERLY HILLS CALIFORNIA, United States: Sunday July 11, 12pm-3pm on the north side of Santa Monica Blvd and Beverly Drive on the side with the grass and park. Contact: maria.rohaly@gmail.com.

SYDNEY, Australia: Sunday July 11, 11am-1pm outside City Hall. Organized by Iran Solidarity Australia.

WASHINGTON DC, United States: Sunday July 11, 12pm-1:30pm outside Islamic Republic’s Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy (2209 Wisconsin Ave NW) to protest against stoning and execution and in remembrance of 18 Tir. Organized by WPI, REAL Courage and Mission Free Iran

Where Our Universal Human Rights Apply...
Where Our Universal Human Rights Apply...

Malaysia: Three on Trial Over Firebombing of Christian Church

Asia news media are reporting on the trial of three individuals involved with the firebombing of a Christian church.

Channel News Asia reports that the trial began on July 6 at the Kuala Lumpar sessions court, and the three men were charged with firebombing the Metro Tabernacle church in January 2010.  It states that the three men on trial are Raja Muhd Faizal and Raja Muhd Idzham, and Azuwan Sahah Ahmad, and that they have been charged under “436 of the Penal Code for causing mischief with fire.”  Catholic Culture and Vatican News are also reporting on this story.  The Vatican News states “Fr Lawrence Andrew, Editor of the Catholic weekly Herald, believes that the men on trial did not act alone.”

A Kuala Lumpur police officer inspects the damage to the Metro Tabernacle Church which was destroyed by a fire bomb in the Kuala Lumpur suburb of Desa Melawati,08 Jan 2010 (Photo AP)
A Kuala Lumpur police officer inspects the damage to the Metro Tabernacle Church which was destroyed by a fire bomb in the Kuala Lumpur suburb of Desa Melawati,08 Jan 2010 (Photo AP)

See Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)’s January 8, 2010 posting on the initial church firebombings “Malaysian Churchs Firebombed,” as well as follow-up reports on attacks on Malaysia houses of worship, and other posts on Malaysia.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our universal human rights, including Article 18 freedom of religion, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience — for all people – everywhere.  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.”  We support religious pluralism and tolerance around the world.

R.E.A.L. urges all people to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

Iraq: Sucide attacks kill 33 Shiite pilgrims in Baghdad

AFP/FA reports: “A suicide bomber wearing an explosives-filled belt murdered 28 Shiite pilgrims on Wednesday while five more were killed in bomb attacks against worshippers in Baghdad, a security official told AFP. The suicide attack occurred in Adhamiyah, a Sunni district across the Tigris river from Kadhimiyah, an area named after Musa Kadhim, the seventh of 12 revered imams in Shiite Islam, whom the pilgrims are honouring.”

Iraq Shiite Shrine (Photo: Channel News Asia)
Iraq Shiite Shrine (Photo: Channel News Asia)