NYC – Staten Island: “Prayers Tuesday for peaceful resolution to mosque debate”
Year: 2010
NYC – Continuing Reports on Staten Island Mosque Protests
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our universal human rights of freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, and freedom of worship for ALL people – without exception. We reject protests against houses of worship. (See also report: “Why Freedom of Religion Matters for MAS Mosques”).
Below are news stories regarding ongoing protests about a planned Staten Island mosque on Greeley Avenue in the Midland Beach area.
— Staten Island Advance: “Prayers Tuesday for peaceful resolution to mosque debate”
— Staten Island Advance: Another Sunday, another protest against proposed Staten Island mosque
— Staten Island Advance: Backers of Staten Island mosque go on offensive
— Earlier Staten Island Mosque Protest news media reports
The sponsor of the project, the Muslim American Society (MAS), is also the same sponsor of a mosque project in Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn that is also being protested. The MAS group’s leader, Mahdi Bray, has been investigated for support for Hamas by the Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT) for comments made at a rally in 2000. IPT states that MAS was founded by the Muslim Brotherhood; the IPT states “MAS denies it is a part of the organization, [although] it acknowledges that its foundations are with the Muslim Brotherhood.”
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our universal human rights of freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, and freedom of worship for ALL people – without exception. We reject protests against houses of worship.
Responsible for Equality And Liberty supports our universal human rights for all.
Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.
Chicago: Anti-Democracy Hizb ut-Tahrir Event Canceled at Marriott Hotel
The Chicago Marriott Oak Brook hotel states that the July 11 public conference by the Hizb ut-Tahrir America will not be held at that location. The anti-democracy political group, Hizb ut-Tahrir America, had widely promoted the Chicago Marriott Oak Brook hotel as the site for their second public conference, through social media and YouTube. Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) learned today that the Chicago Marriott Oak Brook hotel has decided that the hotel will not to be the site for that event. The Hizb ut-Tahrir America has not yet advised its supporters of the planned change, and is not available for comment.
Human rights activists had been informing Chicago area hotels of Hizb ut-Tahrir America’s decision last year to distribute pamphlets calling for the “death penalty” for those who seek freedom of religion to leave Islam. At Hizb ut-Tahrir America’s July 19, 2009 event in Chicago, they distributed a pamphlet (page 62) that supports killing those individuals who leave Islam as guilty of “treason and a political attack on the Khilafah.”
The Hizb ut-Tahrir America website promoting this year’s conference in Chicago promotes links to the main Hizb ut-Tahrir website, Khilafah.com, where this pamphlet is still distributed online by Hizb ut-Tahrir.
In 2009, Hizb ut-Tahrir America (HT) also had difficulty keeping a conference location for their July 19, 2009 conference. The 2009 HT event was originally scheduled to be held at the Aqsa School, an Islamic school located in Bridgeview, Illinois, until it was canceled on June 29, 2009; this happened after HT’s 2009 conference was clarified as an event to promote the Khilafah (Islamic caliphate). In 2009, CBS News reported that “The school’s business manager Rana Jaber said the group misrepresented the goal of the conference when they booked it as they claimed it was going to be a bazaar type event where tradition food and clothing would be sold.” However, by July 1, 2009, the HT event was eventually relocated to the Oak Lawn, Illinois Hilton, where R.E.A.L. led a pro-democracy demonstration outside the July 19, 2009 event, challenging Hizb ut-Tahrir’s views against democracy, human rights, and religious freedom.
When asked by R.E.A.L. today about this year’s Hizb ut-Tahrir event, the Oak Lawn, Illinois Hilton has stated that it is not holding this year’s Hizb ut-Tahrir conference. Other Marriott hotels in Oak Brook are also not holding the event, although apparently there had been consideration to moving the event at one point to August 1, 2010. Marriott event planning reservations stated that Hizb ut-Tahrir does not have a conference planned at their facilities according to their current records. In terms of Starwood facilities, R.E.A.L. has confirmed that the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, and the Chicago Westin are also not holding the July 11, 2010 Hizb ut-Tahrir conference. Starwood national reservations also states that their records show that the Four Points by Sheraton Chicago is not holding the July 11, 2010 Hizb ut-Tahrir conference.
Over the past six months, Hizb ut-Tahrir America has been holding “webinar” Internet-based seminars promoting the Islamic caliphate and jihad. Hizb ut-Tahrir America also held another public conference in another Chicago suburb in December 2009.
On December 20, 2009, Hizb ut-Tahrir America held a smaller conference at a government-managed community center in the Chicago suburb of Lombard. The Lombard city government did not respond to concerns about HT’s distribution of pamphlets in Oak Lawn, Illinois calling for the death penalty for those who seek religious freedom. At the December 2009 event at the Lombard community center, Hizb ut-Tahrir America denounced democracy, denounced “the Kafir,” and urged Muslim attendees “do not take the Jews and Christians for your allies.” HT also blamed U.S. President Obama as part of a plot to take over Muslim-majority nations.
Hizb ut-Tahrir rejects democracy because it “is the rule of people, for the people, by the people.” (page 24) Hizb ut-Tahrir has called for Muslims to boycott voting.
HT has had a history of seeking to promote a global Islamic caliphate government, in seeking to train teenagers for “jihad” (page 37), has reportedly been involved in threats against Jews, Hindus, and has reportedly threatened Muslim university officials. HT also rejects the “gender equality movement” for women’s rights, saying that women must pursue a global Islamic caliphate instead.
British media have reported that intelligence sources state that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed spent time with Hizb ut-Tahrir, and that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was “former member of the Jordanian branch of Hizb.”
Muslim democratic leader Dr. Zuhdi Jasser has denounced Hizb ut-Tahrir America as “a conveyor belt to terror,” but also stated that we “change the narrative and start to promote groups that are reformist,” and “prove how invalid their [HT’s] ideas are…” Dr. Jasser leads the American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD).
On June 18, we challenged Hizb ut-Tahrir America to a public debate on their view of an Islamic caliphate versus R.E.A.L.’s support for democracy and human rights. They have not replied. We continue to leave that offer open, and we invite them to publicly debate such views at R.E.A.L.’s July 11, 2010 pro-democracy event in Washington D.C.
On July 11, 2010 (the previously scheduled date of the Hizb ut-Tahrir conference in Chicago), Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) has planned a public event at 2 PM at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool steps in Washington DC to promote democracy, equality, and liberty. We choose that spot where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood – with his courage of compassion years ago – on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Steps, and called out to the American conscience “I have a dream.” We too have a dream of being united in support democracy, equality, and liberty. We know that realizing such a dream entails the responsibility of standing together – not just on what we oppose – but also on what we believe.
We urge all Americans, especially Muslim Americans, to join us in our nation’s capital on July 11, 2010 (the planned date of the Hizb ut-Tahrir) conference to send a message to those who seek to attack democracy and freedom, that we will stand united for such freedoms together – as one nation, one people, – responsible for equality and liberty – for all.
We urge other Muslims and all others in America who also share our commitment for such freedoms, especially for our shared freedoms and democracy to contact Responsible for Equality And Liberty via email at info@realcourage.org .
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See additional R.E.A.L. postings on the anti-democracy Hizb ut-Tahrir movement at:
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Rhode Island: Suspect in Swastika Vandalism on Synagogue Arraigned
WPRI reports that Ryan N. Johnson was arraigned on June 24 in the vandalism of the Temple Am David mosque in Warwick, Rhode Island, with a swastika and a racial slur. He did not enter a plea on a charge of desecrating a public space (a felony), but pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor vandalism charge.
Rhode Island Synagogue Vandalized with Swastika, Racial Slurs
Washington State: Muslim Van Vandalized Outside Mosque in Bellevue
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) condemns religious intolerance, and we promote freedom of religion, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience for all of our fellow human beings. We are shocked and disturbed to hear of the report in Seattle, Washington suburb of a Muslim van being vandalized, outside of the Islamic Center of Eastside (Bellevue Masjid), in Bellevue Washington.
The Muslim van was vandalized with dog feces on the front and side windows. It was clearly labeled as a Muslim van. The vehicle was targeted, while other vehicles were ignored. The mosque sits next to a Mormon church which was not vandalized.
Local Bellevue Muslims have been calling for law enforcement authorities to investigate the vandalism as a “hate crime,” according a KIRO video interviewing local residents. In addition, most other local non-Muslim residents interviewed also stated that they viewed it as a “hate crime.”
The Bellevue police say that it “malicious mischief”, but say that since there were no threats, they are not investigating it as a “hate crime” at this time. The Bellevue police have stated that they are increasing police patrols near the mosque, but without any video or witnesses, they believe that they have limited evidence for an investigation.
The Bellevue Reporter quoted Police captain Patrick Spak as stating: “We have to keep this in perspective. The van is not damaged and the building is not damaged. From a police department perspective, we don’t want to over-react, but we don’t want to under-react.”
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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.”
We urge those who promote hate and intolerance to unburden the hate from their hearts.
We urge all to Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.
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Other Media Reports:
— KIRO: Van Outside Mosque Apparently Smeared With Dog Feces
— Bellevue Reporter: Feces smeared on Muslim van near Bellevue mosque
— Seattle Post Intelligencer: Feces smeared on Muslim van near Bellevue mosque
— Seattle Post Intelligencer: Group says van parked near mosque vandalized
Scotland: Shock after Nazi sign appears at Stonehaven
Scotland: Shock after Nazi sign appears at Stonehaven
— Scotland Press and Journal: “An investigation has been launched after a Nazi sign was erected in a north-east town. The sign, which was placed near a group of travellers who have pitched up in caravans next to Stonehaven’s open air pool, read ‘Nazi Gathering’ and displayed a swastika.”
Indonesia: Aceh police cane three for gambling
Indonesia: Aceh police cane three for gambling
— Jakarta Post: “Three Daya Daboh men were caned Friday on charges that they were gambling in the front of Al Munawarah Mosque in Jantho, Aceh, under a penalty dictated by Islamic sharia law.”
— “Sharia law stipulates that criminals may be caned for a variety of offenses.”
— “People convicted of promulgating religious beliefs other than Islam to Muslims in the Aceh may be caned, for example.”
— “Muslims who miss Friday evening prayers three times in a row without an excuse can be fined Rp 2 million, sentenced to six months in prison or given three strokes of the cane, under sharia law.”
Muslims and Rights Activists Call for Women’s Rights, Freedom for Nathalie Morin, at Saudi Arabia Embassy
On June 26, 2010, at the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington DC, Muslim women, Muslim men, and other supporters of human rights called for women’s rights in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Specifically, the Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV). led by DC chapter activist Fatima Thompson, sought to protest the male guardianship program, and the conditions of gender apartheid for women in Saudi Arabia, while Saudi King Abdulaziz was attending the G20 summit in Canada. The Washington Times also reported on the plans for the protest in their June 25 article, “Women’s rights supporters to protest outside Saudi mission.”
A Canadian woman, Nathalie Morin, has been held against her will in Saudi Arabia, by her common-law husband since 2005. Nathalie Morin has been a victim of conjugal violence, confinement and abuse, and activist had photographs of the abuse of Nathalie Morin and her children. The Canadian National Post reported on the plight of Nathalie Morin and the efforts of Canadian political leaders in seeking to help her in a report: “Help sought for Canadian family in Saudi Arabia.” According to the National Post, Nathalie Morin’s common-law husband Samir Said Ramthi Al Bishi, “met with Canadian officials in Saudi Arabia on Sept. 22, at which time he demanded $300,000 in exchange for the release of Ms. Morin and the children.”
At the June 26, 2010 protest, Muslim women and men, as well as other human rights activists, condemned the mistreatment of Nathalie Morin demanding that she and her children, and other similarly detained were allowed to return to their home countries for safety. The MPV protest statement sought to “declare to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Government that Americans are demanding Nathalie Morin and her children, as well as any foreign nationals held captive, be returned to their countries immediately, that they respect the human rights of women and children and ensure the safety of Nathalie Morin and the safety of her children.”
The leader of the protest, Fatima Thompson spoke to television media on the subject, and a Saudi woman gave an interview on the story in Arabic. When additional reports are available, this blog posting will be updated.
Protesters marched around the Saudi Arabian Embassy and chanted “Free Nathalie Morin,” “No Guardian for Mature Women,” “End Gender Apartheid,” and “Saudi Arabia Keep Your Promises.”
Protesters were showing their signs and chanting to individuals entering the Saudi embassy. One Saudi Arabian embassy employee came out with a camera to take the photographs of the protesters.
Protesters also showed their signs to drivers going past the area, near the John F. Kennedy Center. Some drivers saw the protesters and stopped to give a “thumbs up” in support of their efforts.
Several Muslim men came and joined the protest at the Saudi Arabian embassy, and marched together with Muslim women and rights activists in support of Nathalie Morin and women’s rights in Saudi Arabia.
One man joined the protest whose family came from an African nation as workers and had lived in Saudi Arabia for two generations without gaining citizenship.
Fatima Thompson was speaking to Muslim men on the plight of Saudi women as they passed by the protest group, seeking their support for women’s rights.
Some protesters also distributed a fliers with a report:
— “UN: Saudi Arabia Pledges End of Men’s Control Over Women”
Protesters sought to urge the Saudi Arabian government to be responsible for its pledges for women’s rights.
The protesters also included Jeffrey Imm from the volunteer human rights group Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.), whose group plans an event at the White House on women’s rights and religious freedom on Tuesday, June 29 at 12 Noon (see also Adobe Acrobat PDF flier).
Update: June 28 – 9 PM – The Gulf Institute has changed the time of their event on June 29 White House and moved it also to 12 Noon as well. I am certain we will coordinate efforts.
[Additional photographs at Online photo gallery of photographs of June 26 protest taken by Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)]
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Press Release from Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV)
PROTEST – Nathalie Morin and Gender Apartheid – Saturday June 26, 2010 at 1:30pm
PROTEST
Saturday June 26th, 2010, 1:30 pm in front of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia
601 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20037
To denounce the confinement of Nathalie Morin and her children, and foreign nationals, in Saudi Arabia
Canadian, Nathalie Morin who is 26 years old, along with her three small children, has been held against her will in Saudi Arabia by her common-law husband since 2005. A victim of conjugal violence, confinement and abuse, Nathalie must return to Canada with her children. But in Saudi Arabia a woman must have the authorization of her male guardian to leave the territory and her aggressor will not allow this.
Gender apartheid and the male guardianship system of Saudi Arabia is a violation of women’s human rights and international law. As long as the U.S. and Saudi governments consider Nathalie and her children’s case a private affair, they will not deploy all efforts to ensure their safety and bring them home to Canada. During this time, Nathalie’s condition continues to deteriorate as the abuse worsens.
On June 26th and 27th, representatives of the Saudi government will participate in the G-20 summit in Toronto to discuss the economy. In June 2009 Obama stated in his speech in Cairo: «But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose.
These are not just American ideas; they are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere.» We call on President Obama to defend human rights by demanding that any foreign nationals held captive in Saudi Arabia be allowed to exit the country.
This protest is to declare to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Government that Americans are demanding Nathalie Morin and her children, as well as any foreign nationals held captive, be returned to their countries immediately, that they respect the human rights of women and children and ensure the safety of Nathalie Morin and the safety of her children.
Location: 601 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20037
We will not abandon Nathalie and her children to an undeserved fate
Information: www.nathaliemorin.org E-mail: soutiennathaliemorin@gmail.com
Contact Information for MPV:
Ani Zonneveld – MPV-USA (national organization) ani@mpvusa.org 323-842-2869
Fatima Thompson – MPV-DC (local chapter) thompson.fatima@gmail.com 703-901-0720
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Westboro Baptist Church Hate Group Protests Colorado Synagogue and Jewish Center
The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), listed as a “hate group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center, planned to picket and protest a Jewish synagogue, Congregation Har Shalom, and the Chabad Jewish Center of Northern Colorado, in Fort Collins, Colorado today.
The WBC has a long history of protesting and picketing Jewish synagogues in New York City and throughout the United States, including spreading Holocaust Denial in its videos stating “you lie about the holocaust days.”
On July 9, 2010, the WBC plans to picket and protest a Jewish house of worship in Dallas, Texas (Congregation Beth el Binah), as well as the Dallas Holocaust Museum, Jewish Community Center of Dallas, Yavneh Academy of Dallas, and Texas Jewish Post.
The Jewish Star has reported on the 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.”
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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 all to Choose Love, Not Hate, Love Wins.
Religious Freedom and Protests Against Houses of Worship
Posting in progress – check back later today..