NYC: “After Fiery Debate, Vote Approves Mosque Plans”
— Panel OKs Muslim center at Ground Zero
Category: Religious Freedom
Minnesota: Vandalism Attack on Buddhist Temple
In Rochester, Minnesota, a Cambodian Buddhist Temple Wat Dhamma Visuddhikaram has been the repeated target of a series of vandalism and harassment attacks, according to a recent press report. The Rochester Post-Bulletin reports that one previous attack included “pro-Christian” vandalism message in spray paint graffiti.
The Rochester Minnesota Post-Bulletin reports:
— “The Cambodian Buddhist temple in southeast Rochester has taken a series of security measures following a string of vandalism and harassment. The temple installed motion-detecting exterior lights and a steel-barred security door in the monks’ residence in March after attempted break-ins by a man wearing a ski mask, said Chhan Aun, 60, the temple’s head monk. The measures have not stopped the break-in attempts, five in total, Aun said.”
— “Following a suggestion from the post office, the temple also removed its mailbox from 29th Street Southeast last week and and placed it next to its main building at the end of a long driveway. The box has been repeatedly vandalized. Incoming and outgoing mail has been stolen in recent years, including bank statements, bills, and immigration documents whose theft has complicated the arrival of new monks from Cambodia, according to temple members.”
— “Vandalism at the temple a year ago included smashed lights, yanked flowers and a cross along with ‘Jesus saves’ spray-painted on the driveway in orange.”
====================================
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) promotes our universal human rights, including our freedom of religion and conscience. We urge all those who promote hate and violence, to drop such burdens from their hearts.
Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.
Hindu Temple Attacked – $5000 in Damages
The Australian Campletown-MacArthur Advertiser reports on “Hindu temple claims attack on religion”:
IT STARTED off as a few graffiti tags on the side of Mukti Gupteshwar Mandir Shiva Hindu Temple in Eagleview Road, Minto.
But last week things got worse.
Offenders destroyed a 200-metre fence and forced their way into the temple before smashing light fixtures on Monday, April 19. They damaged property worth more than $5000.
The attack happened between 3pm and 5pm.
Minto Hindu Society president Prem Misra said local religious followers were being victimised.
‘‘We have spent more than $3000 on community activities and to cop this sort of treatment is nonsense,’’ he said. ‘‘I can’t understand why they would deliberately do this. Why does it keep happening to us? One can only conclude this is an attack on our religion.’’
The temple was built in 1991 after Campbelltown Council controversially approved the development in a scenic protection area. The proposal included a temple structure built partially below ground level to give the illusion that the building was underground.
Mr Misra said when he walked onto the property after the recent attack, he found broken light fittings, a section of fence missing and smashed glass.
‘‘This is illegal, immoral and unethical. This is obviously a place of worship so it’s just not right. It’s stirred up a lot of people’s emotions and we don’t want to create this type of tension in our community.
Pakistan: Christian Students Abused in Schools
— Compass Daily News reports:
— “Muslim teachers at a girls school here have derided Christian students for their faith, beat them, pressured them to convert to Islam and forced them to clean school bathrooms and classrooms after class hours, according to area Christians.”
— “Muslim teachers at Government Higher Secondary School in village No. 79-NB (Northern Branch), Sargodha, in Punjab Province, have so abused Christian students that two of the dozens of Christian girls at the school have dropped out, said a 16-year-old student identified only as Sana.”
— “‘Christian students are teased and mocked by radical Muslim, female teachers from the start of the school day to the end,’ she said. ‘Due to the contemptuous behavior on religious grounds by the fanatical Muslim principal and staff, Christian students feel dejected, depressed and frustrated. I am totally broken-hearted because of the intolerance and discrimination.'”
— “Rebecca Bhatti, a 16-year-old grade 10 student, told Compass she left the government school because her main teacher, along with an Islamic Education & Arabic Language teacher identified only as Sumaira, a math teacher identified only as Gullnaz, other Muslim teachers and Ferhat Naz, the principal, would call Christian girls in to the staff room at recess and demand that they polish their shoes or wash their undergarments and other clothes.”
— see the rest of the CDN report
Pakistan: Forced Conversion of Christian and Hindu Girls on Rise
— “A Christian girl who was kidnapped and forced to convert to Islam has been reunited with her family after three years apart. Tina Barkat, now 28, was kidnapped by the family of her friend Sobia, who together with her uncle forced her to convert to Islam and marry one of their relatives, Qaiser.”
— “Joseph Francis, director of CLAAS Pakistan, said the kidnapping and forced conversion of Christian and Hindu girls was on the rise in Pakistan. Nasir Saeed, director of CLAAS UK, agreed that it was a serious problem.”
— “CLAAS has brought the worrying trend to the attention of the Pakistani government and is pressing for legislation to end forced conversions and ensure the protection of women and young girls belonging to a minority group, who are particularly at risk.”
Pakistan Government Blocks Facebook and YouTube Sites
Multiple media reports have expressed how the Pakistan government is blocking Facebook and YouTube for at least two weeks over the “cartoon controversy” associated with May 20 “Draw Muhammad Day,” which is being viewed as an insult to Muslims and to Islam.
R.E.A.L. has been reporting on this “cartoon controversy,” which also included a recent arson attack on a Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks.
In our posting “Cartoon Contests and Human Dignity,” R.E.A.L. has indicated that our human rights of freedom of expression also include the right and responsibility of human dignity, but such offensive expressions never justify threats and violence. R.E.A.L. also published the comments of Muslims on human rights and dignity on May 20.
The Pakistan Daily Times reports that:
— “The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has directed all Internet service providers in Pakistan to block Facebook until further orders. These directions have been issued in compliance with the orders of the Information Technology Ministry in view of the decision of the Lahore High Court. Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry had ordered the PTA to block the social networking website until May 31 across the country for hosting a competition of making caricatures of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The PTA director submitted that they had blocked the link to the relevant page instead of the entire website.”
Pakistan Dawn reports on protests about the “cartoon controversy”, and the Pakistan government’s decision to further block YouTube web sites over “blasphemous’ material, stating: “Pakistan has blocked the popular video sharing website YouTube indefinitely in a bid to contain ‘blasphemous’ material, officials said on Thursday.”
This is not the first such instance of Pakistan government involvement in the “cartoon controversy.” Two years ago on April 15, 2008, the Pakistan National Assembly passed a resolution to urge the United Nations to seek capital punishment for those drawing cartoons and expressing comments viewed to be “blasphemous.” In the Pakistan Daily Times April 16, 2008 report, it indicated that Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani attended this meeting of the Pakistan National Assembly “moments” after this resolution was passed.
Additional Media Reports:
— Pakistan Dawn: World is protesting (photos)
— Pakistan Dawn: US cartoonist disavows ‘Draw Mohammad’ Facebook page
— Jerusalem Post: Pakistan blocks Facebook access for two weeks
— London Times: Pakistan court orders blocking of Facebook over Muhammad cartoon
Muslims Respond to Cartoon Controversy
As we promised in our article “Cartoon Contests and Human Dignity,” on May 20, 2010, “Draw Muhammad Day,” we would publicly provide online the counter messages from Muslims emailed to us on the subjects of pluralism and human rights. To those with additional input on this article, please send your comments to info@realcourage.org. We are providing these comments unedited, as promised, to promote dialogue on this issue and to provide their point of view.
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) welcomes the opportunity for dialogue on this issue with those we agree and those we disagree, and invite others to express their views on human rights and human dignity. As R.E.A.L. has previously stated, we reject the views of those that would call for or that would rationalize violence as a recourse to affronts and insults, and we also recognize that this issue is a much more wide spread issue than only a few “extremists” on either side. We also recognize that our universal human rights of freedom of expression also entail rights and responsibility to promote human dignity, which we have seen from history to be an imperative to human co-existence. We encourage respectful dialogue on both sides of this issue.
Below are the comments sent to Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) by individuals identifying themselves as Muslims on the “cartoon controversy.”
==================================================
Shamira Kashmiri: Open Letter to Non-Muslims – Why We are Offended
“Molly Norris, in her statement apologizes to people of Muslim faith and asks that this ‘day’ be called off. She says this day has brought together a group of people who only want to draw obscene images,which are offensive to the Muslims, ‘who did nothing to endanger our right to expression in the first place.'”
“Despite being a predictable offense to Muslims and their repeated requests NOT to draw Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), cartoons have been drawn in defiance and published by Swedish Lars Vilks and by Danish political cartoonist Kurt Westergaard and now this…There have been numerous protests by Muslims over time, who have made it very clear to everyone that cartoons, paintings or depictions of Muhammad (pbuh) are disrespectful to our religious views. Now, to go a step further and draw ‘obscene’ cartoons is an obvious provocation even to the most mild mannered Muslim.”
“We want to make it very clear to everyone, that these objections are not limited to extremists or groups. I wish I could explain to you in so many words, the passion that an average Muslim feels about Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). You would have to be a Muslim to understand that bond. The men/women who attacked the cartoonists were ordinary people…not criminals, terrorists or extremists. Call these crimes of passion, they were committed in a rage.”
“We don’t like it either when you draw obscene pictures of Jesus Christ (Hazrat Isa) or any of our other Prophets, peace be upon them all. We don’t like it when you use ‘Jesus Christ’ as an expletive or depict pictures with men urinating on the Bible (which you have now replaced with the Quran). Maybe that is freedom of expression for you, but WE find it extremely disrespectful. We love and respect all our Prophets, starting with Prophet Abraham (pbuh).”
“There is a shared responsibility in a shared society, which includes defending each other’s human dignity. We are endorsed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Offensive cartoons have appeared over time, especially about Black American and Jews, amongst others.”
“Mocking the human dignity of others in offensive cartoons depicting men and prophets seems to be the medium of those promoting disrespect and outright hatred. There are many things that we are free to do, but we do not do out of respect for others, so that we can co-exist peacefully.”
“What exactly do you think you will achieve by offending ALL Muslims across the globe? Superiority? Or do you think you will defame the Prophet and Islam? I assure you that this will not affect Islam or the character of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the least bit. Chronicles prove that he was a man of impeccable character, erudite, humble, soft spoken and very well mannered and a great leader. No amount of sketching is going to change that. However, we can pretty much predict the outcome of this provocation and offense to the Muslims… more hatred and animosity. Then there will be those who may retaliate, the extremists, the terrorists and those who, in a rage of passion decide to take the law in their own hands… and we, the rest of the Muslims have no control over that. What will you have achieved?”
“We want to publicly show you that we are larger than those who mock us and therefore:”
“‘We appeal to sensible, peace loving Americans and non-Muslims across the world, to stand with us and denounce this open provocation and disrespect. We hope for peace in the next generation, which is dependant on the history we write today. Let us choose Love, not Hate. Love always wins.'”
“Shamira Kashmiri”
[Note: we are publishing the comments of Shamira Kashmiri unedited to show the quoted comments. Please note that we do not, however, agree with any assessment that would suggest that “rage of passion” attacks are anything less than criminal attacks when they involve violence or threats of violence.]
==================================================
Mr. Elias on Human Rights
“Hello,
I am responding to your article (which I greatly appreciated). I am a Muslim who wants to share my view of human rights. The following is my answer to your article.”
“The Best Answer is From the Quran.”
“The Quran on Human Dignity and Equality:”
“‘O mankind, Indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.’ (49:13)”
“‘We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.’ (17:70)”
“The Quran on Religious Pluralism:”
“‘To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.’ (5:48)”
“‘Indeed, those who have believed and those who were Jews or Sabeans or Christians – those [among them] who believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteousness – no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.’ (5:69)”
“The Quran on Freedom of Religion:”
“‘There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong.’ (2:256)”
“‘Had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed – all of them entirely. Then, [O Muhammad], would you compel the people in order that they become believers?’ (10:99)”
“‘The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills – let him believe; and whoever wills – let him disbelieve.’ (18:29)”
“The Quran on Peace and Forgiveness:”
“‘Abraham said, ‘Peace will be upon you. I will ask forgiveness for you of my Lord. Indeed, He is ever gracious to me.” (19:47)”
“‘The servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] ‘peace!’ (25:63)”
“‘If they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah. Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing.’ (8:61)”
“‘Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; and turn away from the ignorant.’ (7:199)”
==================================================
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) condemns hate and violence. We support our unqualified, universal human rights, including our freedom of conscience and the pluralism to allow such freedoms. We urge all those who promote hate and violence to unburden their hearts from hate and violence.
Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.
Egyptian Convert from Islam Mohammed Hegazy Lawsuit Delayed by Court
— CDN reports:
— “An Egyptian convert to Christianity said he is devastated by a recent court decision to suspend a lawsuit he filed to change the religion on his identification card from Muslim to Christian.”
— “The First District of the Court of the State Council on April 27 suspended Mohammed Ahmed Hegazy’s case until the Constitutional Court rules on a challenge to Article 47, a section of the civil code that in theory allows Egyptians to change the religion listed on their ID card.”
— “Hegazy, 27, said the suspension endangers his children’s welfare and will force them to lead a double life indefinitely – at home they will be taught to live in accordance with the Bible, and outside it they will be taught to live according to the Quran.”
— “If they ultimately decide to follow Jesus, Hegazy said, his children will be declared “apostates” and be persecuted the rest of their lives for “leaving Islam.” Hegazy, who has suffered severely after Egypt’s religious authorities declared him an apostate, including being imprisoned by State Security Investigations (SSI) several times, said he filed the case so his children would avoid the same fate.”
German Synagogue Arson Attack – Letters Left Behind
A German synagogue was attacked by arsonists in the Rhineland-Palatinate city of Worms. It had been doused with flammable liquids in several areas and set on fire. However, alert fire officials were able to minimize damage to the synagogue’s outward walls. Letters were reportedly left on the scene, claiming that the terrorist attack was the goal of those who opposed the Israel’s views towards Palestinians. Some were not certain which group was behind the attacks.
— Der Spiegel Report: Outrage over attack on synagogue
— in German “Empörung über Anschlag auf Synagoge”
— The Local reports: Arsonists attack Rhineland synagogue
— “Fire fighters in the city were able to put out the blaze quickly, and the building was not heavily damaged. The walls were however blackened by soot, a fire department spokesperson said. ”
— Jerusalem Post reports: “A synagogue in the German city of Worms was attacked by arsonists on Monday.”
— “The attackers left a note linking their torching of the synagogue with the Israel-Palestinian conflict, according to a report in the regional paper Wiesebadner Kurier. German police found eight copies of a note written in ‘awkward’ German, claiming responsibility for setting the place blaze.”
— “‘So long as you do not give the Palestinians peace, we are not going to give you peace,’ stated the note.”
— “Observers of the attack said they believe the perpetrators could have been extreme leftists, neo-Nazis or radical Islamists. What unites these groups, they said, is their common hatred of Israel.”
— JTA: Arson attack on German synagogue raises alert
— Worms Local Tourist Information on Synagogue
=============================
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) condemns such hate and violence. We support our unqualified, universal human rights, including our freedom of conscience and the pluralism to allow such freedoms. We urge all those who promote hate and violence to unburden their hearts from hate and violence.
Choose Love, Not Hate. Love Wins.
Michigan mosque vandalism twice in one week
— Detroit News: Vandals hit Downriver mosque twice within a week
— Detroit News reports “Brownstown Township — Police are investigating two incidents of vandalism that happened within a week at a local mosque.”
— “Windows were broken and doors were smashed at the Masjid Umar-bin-Khattab Mosque on May 9 and again on Saturday, with the second attack caught on videotape, said spokesman Muhammad Khan.”
— “‘You can see five young persons on the recording,’ Khan said.”