mosque – Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

Kentucky: Mosque Protest Efforts in Florence

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, and we reject violence and attacks on houses of worship.

But today, in yet another of the continuing coast-to-coast protests against mosques around America, anti-Islam activists are seeking to recruit protesters to demand a halt to plans since 2008 to build a mosque in Florence, Kentucky, with claims that the local mosque is part of an effort in the “takeover of our country.” Mosque protesters are also stating that who object their efforts to deny religious freedom and freedom of worship to Kentucky Muslims are “anti-American people” who are “free to leave” the country.

According to the Kentucky Courier-Journal, the application was filed in April 2008 and approved by the Boone County Planning Commission in June 2008.

The North Kentucky Enquirer reported that a group called the “Mercy Foundation, Inc., has approval to build a mosque near Mall Road in Florence, with another report states is to be built at 900 Cayton Road. The Enquirer states the effort is led by a Florence, Kentucky physician, Mohammed Zineddin, who is president of the Mercy Foundation. Both the Enquirer and the Courier-Journal report that the building area is zoned for Commercial Two (C-2) allowing religious buildings. FOX 19 News reported that the mosque was being planned by the Islamic Center of Northern Kentucky.

Kentucky: Plot Where Planned for Florence, Kentucky Mosque (Photo: Fox 19 News)

On July 25, 2010, the North Kentucky Enquirer reported that that “Boone County Assistant Zoning Administrator Mitch Light said there has been no such public response to this plan. ‘We have not heard from anyone opposed to the project,’ Light said.”

Illustrations of the planned Islamic Center of Northern Kentucky’s mosque are online on their website.

Kentucky: Florence Mosque Illustration (Image: Islamic Center of Northern Kentucky)

Apparently this has now changed. According to the August 16, 2010 Kentucky Courier-Journal, the mosque proposal is now receiving “a strong reaction from some in the community,” including calls to Forence city officials, a flier being distributed in Florence neighborhoods.

FOX 19 News reports in its story “Neighborhood flyer rejects mosque”: “A flyer left on doors and mailboxes in a Florence neighborhood is stirring up more attention around a mosque being built nearby. Neighbors we spoke with had mixed feelings about the mosque, but everyone had the same concern, who is circulating the flyer and why didn’t that person/group want to be identified.”

According to the Courier-Journal, the anti-mosque flier states: “Cayton Road is in your neighborhood… Everyone needs to contact Florence City Council to have this stopped. Americans need to stop the takeover of our country.” FOX 19 News has images of the flier including its statement urging protesters to “Do your part to stop the take-over of our country of our country. Use your voice to speak out. If anti-American people do not like the way we are, they are free to leave. We are the United States of America, not an Islamic nation.” The fliers were anonymous, but appears to have the same image as an individual’s Facebook page photo background graphic, with a web site protesting the mosque.

Kentucky: Anti-Mosque Flier Being Circulated (Photo: Fox 19 News)

FOX 19 News has a video report online on the efforts by anti-Islam activists to encourage others to protest the mosque.

The Courier-Journal quotes Joshua Wice, community/business development director for the city of Florence who states that he is not surprised that people have questions, but all of the questions are being answered to people’s satisfaction.

The Courier-Journal also states: “”Much of the criticism has focused on city or county officials for allowing the project to go forward or not holding public hearings, but undue scrutiny or unwarranted efforts to impede the project might well have violated federal laws. The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act is often described as federal zoning for religious uses.”

The Courier-Journal also reports on a website “run by a Boone County resident that posts anti-Islamic messages” to seek Florence residents to “Stop the Mosque.”

Kentucy Mosque Protester "The Vigilante" Mark Hallenberg (Photo: Facebook)

The Kentucky anti-Islam, anti-Mosque website called “The Vigilante” describes “Enemy One” as “Islam.” The anti-mosque website is led by a Christian, Mark Hallenberg, in Kentucky who views the anti-mosque campaign as part of promoting “Christian values” and attacking a “Marxist-Socialistic agenda.”

In his protest against the planned mosque and “Northern Kentucky Rising,” Mark Hallenberg claims that he contacted two dozen Boone County residents about the planned Florence, Kentucky mosque, with 50 percent opposing it (according to him). Mr. Hallenberg also calls for an investigation into the funding of the mosque and into Mercy Foundation. He also repeats claims from others that “Islam declared war on the United States.”

On Mark Hallenberg’s web site, he links to the Heritage Foundation, and promotes videos by Pat Condell and Frank Gaffney, and praises Geert Wilders as a political “Braveheart.”

Mark Hallenberg repeats claims by Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) leader Pamela Geller on Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh; SIOA leader Geller claimed in April 2010 that the Oklahoma City bombing was “the first heinous Islamic terror attack on American soil.”

Kentucky mosque protester Mark Hallenberg is also a supporter of the Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) group led by Pamela Geller.

The Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) group is the leading organization behind the planned September 11, 2010 protest against the 51 Park Place Islamic Center in New York. SIOA’s top leaders have also been active in mosque protests in Staten Island. After the recent decision not to sell land to a mosque in Staten Island, SIOA leaders and supporters claimed victory, with SIOA supproters stating: “SIOA is mighty and growing stronger every minute. The evil comes out of the mosques, now and in Mohammed’s time. Close and dismantle ALL mosques, mosques have no place in America the Free….One down and so many more to go.”

R.E.A.L. has reported that the SIOA’s Executive Director seeks to recruit members and supports the violent English Defence League group. SIOA supporters have promoted the plan for a “Burn A Qur’an Day,” and call for the criminalization of Islam in America.

Kentucky Anti-Mosque Protest Leader Mark Hallenberg - Supporter of the Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) Group (Image: Facebook)

Mr. Hallenberg has used the SIOA Facebook since May 2010 to recruit Kentucky supporters for his anti-Islam movement in Kentucky.

Kentucky Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) Supporter Mark Hallenberg Started Recruiting Anti-Islam, Anti-Mosque Supporters for Kentucky in May 2010 (Image: Facebook)

On Mark Hallenberg’s Facebook page, he states that he is a member of the Northern Kentucky Tea Party. R.E.A.L. has contacted the Boone County representative of the Northern Kentucky Tea Party for comment, and received the following response: “The Northern Kentucky Tea Party is not involved in any way with a protest of a planned mosque in Florence, or anywhere. Our issues are those which impact free people of all faiths: Fiscal Responsibility, Limited Government, and Free Markets.””

Mark Hallenberg also claims to work for a survivalist organization that promotes Krista Branch‘s Tea Party supporting video of individuals waving Gadsden flags, “I’ve got some news, we’re taking names, We’re waiting now for the judgment day.”

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Responsible for Equality and Liberty (R.E.A.L.) is deeply concerned about the escalation of intolerance and hate that we seeing growing across America towards Muslims and Islamic mosques. We will be inviting the public to join us in a freedom of religion, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience event on September 11 at 2 PM in Freedom Plaza in Washington DC to give Americans an opportunity to publicly show their support for such freedoms. There is more information at 911Freedom.com.

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, including the freedom of religion supported under Article 1 of the United States Constitution. 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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Why the ADL is Wrong in Rejecting Mosque Construction in NYC

In a posting on the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) web site under civil rights, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) issued a statement on the planned Islamic Community Center at 45-51 Park Place, New York City. Beginning in June 2010, opponents have sought to block efforts to expand their facility at 45-51 Park Place.

In its July 28, 2010 statement, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) joins those who oppose the development of the planned Islamic Community Center. While ADL states that is supports freedom of religion, the ADL states “this is not a question of rights, but a question of what is right.” The ADL statement concludes: “In our judgment, building an Islamic Center in the shadow of the World Trade Center will cause some victims more pain – unnecessarily – and that is not right.”

As Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) has pointed out Muslims have held prayer services at the 45-51 Park Place location since December 2009. 45 Park Place is a good two blocks away from “Ground Zero,” or as one person has calculated about 600 feet (that’s roughly about two American football fields). In the dense concrete jungle of New York City, two blocks might as well be a mile away in terms of visibility.

Individuals and groups may have a rainbow of subjective opinions about what is “right” or “wrong,” which they are entitled to have. But America as a nation, and for the human beings around the world, ensuring justice and fair treatment for all is not based primarily on our subjective opinions on what we like and what we don’t like, but on our objective guarantees for freedoms for all Americans and all human beings.

America’s Constitution provides objective guarantees for our freedom of religion under the 1st Amendment, which were freedoms defended by America’s founding fathers long before the passage of the Bill of Rights.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, created after the horror of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, was a unified message to say “Never Again” by seeking to objectively defend everyone’s right to freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, and freedom of worship. 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.”

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) mandate is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all citizens alike.” Without supporting our universal human rights, there cannot be justice and fair treatment to anyone, anywhere. To those in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Tennessee, who seek to gain legitimacy for protests against mosques by flying the Israeli flag or claiming their protests are based on their views on Israel, they do not represent American Jews, but they represent simply those who seek to deny human rights to others.

There have been many American Jews, including NYC Mayor Bloomberg who understand the importance of defending our objective guarantees of our Constitutional and human rights, for all people.

The Associated Press reported on the astonishment by many American Jews and Jewish groups on the ADL statement, reporting “Its position on the mosque was met with shock and condemnation by several groups. Jeremy Ben-Ami, head of J Street, the dovish, pro-Israel group, said he would hope ADL would be at the forefront in defending the freedom of a religious minority, ‘rather than casting aspersions on its funders and giving in to the fear-mongerers.'”

On July 30, 2010, the Jewish activist group J Street’s President Jeremy Ben-Ami issued the following press release:

— “The principle at stake in the Cordoba House controversy goes to the heart of American democracy and the value we place on freedom of religion. Should one religious group in this country be treated differently than another? We believe the answer is no.”
— “As Mayor Bloomberg has said, proposing a church or a synagogue for that site would raise no questions. The Muslim community has an equal right to build a community center wherever it is legal to do so. We would hope the American Jewish community would be at the forefront of standing up for the freedom and equality of a religious minority looking to exercise its legal rights in the United States, rather than casting aspersions on its funders and giving in to the fear-mongerers and pandering politicians urging it to relocate.”
— “What better ammunition to feed the Osama bin Ladens of the world and their claim of anti-Muslim bias in the United States as they seek to whip up global jihad than to hold this proposal for a Muslim religious center to a different and tougher standard than other religious institutions would be.”

The AP also stated that the “Rev. Welton Gaddy, head of the Interfaith Alliance, a Washington advocacy group, said he read the ADL statement ‘with a great deal of sorrow.’ ‘As an organization that for nearly 100 years has helped set the standard for fighting defamation and securing justice and fair treatment for all, it is disappointing to see the ADL arrived at this conclusion,” Gaddy said.”

The growing coast-to-coast, anti-mosque, anti-Islam campaign in America must be defied organizations and individuals that are willing to stand up consistently for our universal human rights. On July 30, 2010, in Temecula, California, protesters against a mosque there showed up with a dog and signs such “No more mosques in America” to harass worshipers during the Muslim Friday worship services.

There are other international groups that recognize this anti-mosque campaign in America as a human rights disgrace, including those who have been victims of attacks by radical extremists.

A year after a mob of 20,000 came to burn down Christian homes and churches in Gojra, Pakistan, and weeks after Pakistan Christians were gunned down on courthouse steps for apocyrphal “blasphemy” charges, The Pakistan Christian Post published “‘Mosque’ ado about nothing. by Parvez Ahmed,” which condemns the NYC mosque protests. In India, Hindus have suffered for many, many decades of endless terrorist attacks, including the Mumbai terrorist attacks that left the city in flames. However, on July 29, The Hindu published ‘Refudiate’ Palin’s bigotry, condemning the protests against mosques in America, stating “Opposition to the project remains strong and vocal, fueled by a mix of prejudice, paranoia, and misinformation… It would be a great pity if the most liberal-minded of American cities joins the list of places that suffer from Islamophobia.”

For a human rights groups, it is always a question of defending our human rights, including the objective, universal human right for “everyone” of freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, and freedom of worship.

Those who consistently support our universal human rights don’t support calls to block the construction of any house of worship, of any faith, anywhere.

Our universal human rights and American Constitutional freedoms are not just for those we like or who are like us. We stand with NYC Mayor Bloomberg, we stand with J Street, we stand with interfaith groups, we stand with Hindu groups, we stand with Christian groups, and we stand with all those Americans and our brothers and sisters in humanity with the courage to consistently support our universal human rights for all people.

We urge all to be Responsible for Equality And Liberty.

Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

Staten Island: Planned Mosque Stopped by Archdiocese of NY

Regarding the planned Staten Island/Midland Island mosque, the Archdiocese of New York has withdrawn support for the sale of a former convent building for a new mosque. The mosque was vehemently protested by local individuals and leaders of the Stop Islamization of America (SIOA) group, involved with other mosque protests, and some of whose supporters have recently called for the criminalization of Islam, and have promoted a “Burn a Koran Day.”

Protesters of the Staten Island planned mosque packed a public hearing on June 9, 2010 where they shouted at the planners of the mosque. Some of the protesters had to be led away by police.

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.”

In response to SIOA Executive Director Pamela Geller’s SIOA Facebook posting applauding the decision by the Archdiocese to stop the property sale for the Staten Island mosque, one SIOA supporter replied on the SIOA Facebook:
— “SIOA is mighty and growing stronger every minute. The evil comes out of the mosques, now and in Mohammed’s time. Close and dismantle ALL mosques, mosques have no place in America the Free.”
— Another replies: “One down and so many more to go”
— See SIOA posting screen shot

On Sunday, July 18, 2010, SIOA Executive Director Pamela Geller made yet another appeal for support for the violent extremist group “English Defence League” (EDL) which has been involved in multiple riots, and whose members were recently arrested after throwing bricks at riot police officers during their protest of a potential mosque in Dudley (that had already been canceled.) One of the SIOA supporters has darkly claimed that a group like the violent “English Defence League” is being created in America today.

The recent mosque protests are part of a coast-to-coast campaign against Mosques and Islam throughout America. See Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)’s recent post: Coast-to-Coast Anti-Islam Movement Results in Protests, Attacks Against Mosques

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.

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Archdiocese of New York Press Release: Statement on Saint Margaret Mary Parish

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 22, 2010

STATEMENT ON SAINT MARGARET MARY PARISH

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.

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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.”

Why Freedom of Religion Matters for MAS Mosques

In the New York City suburbs at Midland Island / Staten Island and at Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, protesters have sought to deny the creation of new mosques by an organization known as the Muslim America Society (MAS).

R.E.A.L. stands in support of religious freedom and freedom of worship for all – without exception. Our Constitutional rights as Americans and our universal human rights for all human beings – are not just for those we agree with, not just for those we like, and just for those like us – but they are for everyone.

Background on the Muslim America Society (MAS) and the Muslim Brotherhood

The Muslim America Society (MAS), headquartered in the Washington DC suburb of Northern Virginia, is a political organization with activist protest demonstrations, with lobbying to specific political candidates. Former MAS president Esam Omeish also recently ran for political office in Northern Virginia (and lost). Former MAS president Esam Omeish also wrote that to the Washington Post that “the influence of Muslim Brotherhood ideas has been instrumental in defining our understanding of Islam…” 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.”

The Muslim Brotherhood is another international political organization. The Muslim Brotherhood is viewed by some as seeking to promote “democracy,” but does so without the democratic values of pluralism. The Muslim Brotherhood was founded based on a view of Wahhabist supremacism, seeking to mold the world to conform to its world view. Like Hizb ut-Tahrir, the Muslim Brotherhood seeks the creation of a global Islamic caliphate super-state (“Khilafa”), and according to its own comments, one of the Muslim Brotherhood’s main objectives is “Mastering the world with Islam.” The Muslim Brotherhood’s theme includes “Violent Extemism is our way.” In the United States, during the Holy Land Foundation (HLF) terrorism trial, a Muslim Brotherhood memorandum was discovered from 1991 with a Muslim Brotherhood goal to infiltrate and undermine the United States from within. In September 2007, a controversial DoD memorandum was issued on the Muslim Brotherhood, with the suggestion that they be viewed as “threat organization.”

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

For years, I have challenged the Muslim Brotherhood’s political views and the Muslim America Society (MAS) political views. I don’t share or defend their political views, their perspective on freedom, or the Muslim Brotherhood’s Wahhabist view of “democracy.” I have challenged such ideologies at venues around the country, and I have led counterprotests to MAS political protests in Washington DC, challenging the MAS support for the Muslim Brotherhood political ideology and promoting universal human rights. I have met MAS’ Mahdi Bray face to face in a counterprotest. I have condemned Mahdi Bray’s fist raising and cheers in apparent support of Hamas and Hezbollah as documented on video by the IPT.

R.E.A.L.'s Jeffrey Imm Challenges MAS at Political Protest in Washington DC — R.E.A.L.'s Jeffrey Imm Challenges MAS at Political Protest - Washington DC

I have objected to bipartisan Congressional representatives seeking to promote “engagement” with the Muslim Brotherhood, and I have objected to West Point’s Counterterrorism Center in calling for engagement with the Muslim Brotherhood on counterterrorism issues. I have objected to Republican conservative pundits that seek to whitewash the Muslim Brotherhood as a force for “democracy.” I have reported for years about the U.S. law enforcement research that led to the discovery of the 1991 Muslim Brotherhood memorandum.

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.

I have also challenged the political views of groups that state they represent other religions, from the Christian extremist Westboro Baptist Church group to members of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and other religious extremists. The Westboro Baptist Church has repeatedly praised violence and even praised murder of American law enforcement officers. The Westboro Baptist Church has repeatedly and publicly praised “world terror” and praised terrorist attacks on mosques and even on other Christians. I have challenged members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) have held events where the apocryphal “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” was promoted as fact and PCUSA members have gone to meet with and praise Hezbollah. I have also criticized the Washington Post for posting editorials from both Hamas and Hezbollah. I have criticized the failure of Israeli courts to effectively prosecute “Jewish terrorist” Yaakov Teitel. I have condemned those in India committing “Hindu honor killings” against women and couples.

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.

Why Freedom of Religion Matters for MAS Mosques

We have a right to believe and to worship however we see fit. In America, Amendment 1 to our Constitution is designed to protect freedom of religion. In the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Article 18 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.”

Everyone.

… 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.”

Staten Island Mosque Protest (Photo: NYT)

Voorhies Avenue Signs Protesting Planned Mosque (Photo: Sheepshead Bites)

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.

To those who oppose the Muslim Brotherhood’s stated plans for political undermining America – “‘sabotaging’ its miserable house by their hands” – do you seek to give such groups a victory by our hands by undermining and sabotaging the VERY IDENTITY of America as nation committed to our inalienable human rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — and seeking to deny our Constitutional freedom of religion? Who do you think wins if Americans rejects the universal human rights of freedom of religion and freedom of worship for all?

As for me, I know where I stand.

I will consistently remain Responsible for Equality And Liberty.

Find out more about Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L) at RealCourage.org.

California: Anti-Islam Tea Party Group Protests Temecula Mosque Plans

But in Temecula, California, Anti-Islam group and other activists are organizing to prevent an Islamic mosque from being built by the Islamic Center of Temecula Valley in a vacant lot in that city. According to the North County Times, the Islamic Center of Temecula Valley purchased the land for the mosque in 2005, and has stated that the application process for the mosque has taken nearly two years, while it has gone over details with the Temecula government. The Islamic Center of Temecula is currently holding religious services in a business warehouse.

The Islamic Center of Temecula is currently holding religious services in a warehouse (Photo: Irfan Khan, Los Angeles Times)

One of the organizing groups is “We the People – Citizen in Action.” On other parts of the group’s web page, the group calls itself the “Southwest Riverside County (SWRC) Tea Party Citizens in Action.” It views its mission as “Southwest Riverside County Citizens in Action was created to return the local Tea Party Movement to the people” and to hold “Tea Party events.”

This Southwest Riverside County (SWRC) Tea Party group has been seeking to stop the building of the Islamic Center of Temecula Valley mosque – stating “It will bring in Islam and usher out our freedoms and liberties, as has happened all across Europe and already parts of the US, “and stating “Not in our city!!!! Not in our Southwest Valley!” The SWRC Tea Party group plans to have their supporters “pack the house” to an August 18th hearing to prevent the mosque, because they view that Islam is “a radically intolerant belief system that is compatible with the freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. ”

California: Southwest Riverside County (SWRC) Tea Party against Islam and Temecula Mosque (Photo: SWRC Tea Party Web Site)

Local Republican politician Patrice Lynes has also promoted an online “Concerned Community Citizens” petition against the planned Islamic Center of Temecula Valley mosque on her web site. Patrice Lynes states that she is a “Member [of the] Temecula TEA Party.”

Temecula Tea Party Politician Patrice Lynes has Petition against Mosque (Photo: PatriceLynes.com web page)

As R.E.A.L. has previously done with other reports of Tea Party activists that seek to protest mosques and attack Islam as a religion, R.E.A.L. will contact the National Tea Party for comment, and will update this if we receive any comment. We have not yet received any comments on this topic from the National Tea Party yet.

North County Times has reported that Islamic Center of Temecula Valley imam Mahmoud Harmoush has indicted that the group needed the space for growing numbers of families in the area, for the group that was founded in 1998. According to the North County Times, “The nearest mosques are in the cities of Riverside, Corona and San Diego, Harmoush said. He said local Muslims are excited about building a new one in Southwest County, but not everyone shares that enthusiasm. Among those at the meeting Friday at City Hall was Diana Serafin, a Murrieta resident and local political activist who said she is not opposed to the mosque, but what she believes it represents: the so-called Islamification of America.”

Pastor Bill Rench, the Christian pastor of the Temecula-area Calvary Baptist Church, stated that he opposed the Islamic Center of Temecula Valley mosque. According to the Los Angeles Times, Pastor Bill Rench told the press that Islam and Christianity “mix like oil and water” and predicted a “confrontational atmosphere” if the project moves forward. Pastor Bill Rench told the LA Times that “The Islamic foothold is not strong here, and we really don’t want to see their influence spread… There is a concern with all the rumors you hear about sleeper cells and all that. Are we supposed to be complacent just because these people say it’s a religion of peace? Many others have said the same thing.”

Pastor Bill Rench Opposes Planned Temecula Mosque (Photo: KABC TV)

Pastor Bill Rench told KABC News that “it’s not peaceful, so we have several members from an Islamic background, and have expressed concerns themselves because of their history in it” (see also ABC video link). KABC also quoted another Temecula resident Junior Satele: “To put a mosque around here is going to get a lot of people worried, just because of what’s going on in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

KABC News also reported that the Islamic center’s chairman, Haid Nael, says there is no reason for concern and all the group is planning to is expand from the current building where they have been worshiping a few miles away because it is too small. KABC quoted Hadi Nael, as stating: “We don’t go out door to door, we don’t pass flyers, we don’t pass booklets.. This is really surprising to see in a free country, that there is some kind of opposition for a peaceful community like us… All we do is just pray for God. That’s all we do.”

KABC reports that “The approval of the mosque has not been finalized. The issue will come before the Temecula planning commission in August.” This is where the Southwest Riverside County (SWRC) Tea Party seeks to influence the planning commission to reject the mosque application that has been underway for two years.

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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.

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

Georgia: Mosque Fire Investigated to Determine if Arson

On July 6, 2010, Marietta, Georgia local news media outlets are reporting on what is being described as a “suspicious fire” at the Marietta mosque, stating that the fire is being investigated to determine if it was arson.

The Marietta mosque that was damaged by fire is on Powder Springs Street in Marietta, Georgia. The Masjid Al-Hedaya describes its location as on Powder Springs Street in Marietta, Georgia. WSB radio reported the fire as “The fire was reported shortly after 11 p.m. Monday at Masjid Al-hedaya on Powder Springs Street in Marietta. The building is also known as the Islamic Center of Marietta.” WSBTV has described this as the “Masjid Al Head mosque.” Local Marietta media are reporting that Muslim attendees at the Masjid Al-Hedaya mosque are uncertain if someone deliberately set the fire. The fire started after the last prayer session. Reports state that damage to the mosque is “extensive.” According to reports, the fire destroyed the front entrance and did significant damage to the main prayer hall. The local imam Hafiz Inayatullah told WSBTV that “We locked the door and everything and we left and suddenly he called me and said, ‘There’s fire’.”

Marietta, Georgia - Area Near the Masjid Al-Hedaya Mosque

On June 15, 2010, the Marietta Daily Journal published a column by a writer warning about the construction of mosques in the United States.

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) urges all to assist law enforcement agencies in their investigation. If this fire was the result of arson, we urge that all Americans help law enforcement agencies to aid in identifying those responsible. Our universal human rights include our freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, and freedom of worship for all people. We urge all to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

NYC: Brooklyn Mosque Protests and Bomb Threat

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”).

In the Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn, New York, it was reported that on June 27, 2010, between 200 and 300 people sought to protest a planned mosque 2812 Voorhies Avenue in Brooklyn. A group called Bay People, Inc. is leading the mosque protests.

Voorhies Avenue area in dispute for planned mosque

The sponsor of the project, the Muslim American Society (MAS), is also the same sponsor of a mosque project in Midland Beach on Greeley Avenue 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.”

Reports have indicated that the protesters are divided between those who view that the Voorhies Avenue cannot accommodate the traffic for a new mosque, and those that reject the planned mosque due to Islamophobic views. The local blog/newspaper Sheepshead Bites addresses this split between the protesters in its article “Rally Reveals Conflict Within Anti-Mosque Movement.”

A protest notice by Bay People, Inc. alleged called for protesters “Please be polite and tolerant.”

But The Brooklyn Paper has reported that one local counter-protester Guseyn Ibragimov who called for freedom of religion, was booed down and “ordered him to get off their street.” The Brooklyn Paper reporter Thomas Tracy also indicated that the divisiveness has spilled over into calls for violence and bombing against the proposed mosque, not unlike those seen in recent reader comments on the New York Post web site and those made on AM radio stations.

The Brooklyn Paper also quoted an anonymous local man, who reportedly lives across the street from the planned mosque, and who threatened to bomb the planned Voorhies Avenue mosque, telling the reporter: “If they build a mosque there, I’m going to bomb the mosque.. I will give them a lot of trouble… They’re not going to stay here alive.”

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty supports our universal human rights for all. We reject and oppose all calls for intolerance, hate, violence, and terrorism. We urge all those who promote hate and intolerance to unburden their hearts.

Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

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Media Reports:

The Brooklyn Paper: ‘What kind of America’? Hate-filled rally to stop mosque

Sheepshead Bites: Rally Reveals Conflict Within Anti-Mosque Movement

Photographs of June 27, 2010 protest against New York City mosque in Brooklyn

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.

Islamic Center of Eastside, Bellevue, WA (Bellevue Masjid)

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.

Muslim Van Vandalized in Bellevue - Across Street from Muslim Mosque and Mormon Church

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.”

Dog Feces Vandalism of Muslim Van in Bellevue, WA (Photo: KIRO Video Clip)

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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

— KIRO video

— 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

Tennessee Mosque Plans Under Protest

In the small town of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, 650 residents came out to speak out about the plans to build an new Islamic mosque, to replace the existing facility. The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro already has an existing facility, but according to ABC, it seeks to develop a larger facility for its 250 family membership. The Murfreesboro, TN population is estimated at around 100,000, and it is 30 miles from Nashville.

During the meeting on the proposed new mosque and Islamic facility, ABC reported that residents displayed “ugly criticism” that “some sharing their opposition in public comments… [made comments] that at times turned intolerant.” The Tennessean reported that “Plans for a new Islamic center south of Murfreesboro have some residents denouncing the Muslim religion and others calling the dispute one of the ugliest displays of religious intolerance in the county’s history… Many saw the event as an embarrassing black eye for Rutherford County over a lack of religious tolerance, while dozens reiterated their fears and charges that the mosque needs to be held to high scrutiny and regarded with heavy suspicion.”

News Channel 5 reported that “The area the Islamic Center purchased land already had the correct zoning for a church, therefore did not need a public hearing before it was approved. That fact upset many people who came to Thursday night’s meeting.”

Video Clip from Tennessee Mosque Protest (Photo: News Channel 5)

Another report stated that “Dozens spoke for an allotted 3 minutes each during the two hour public portion of the meeting. None spoke in favor of the mosque.”

In January 2010, WKRN reported on vandalism of a sign for the planned new mosque, with the graffiti ” Not Welcome.”

In Tennessee, vandalism and violence has been seen against mosques. In February 2010, the Al-Farooq Mosque was vandalized with “Christian” graffiti and the message “Muslims go home.” In Columbia, Tennessee, a mosque was burned down by Neo-Nazi White Supremacists.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee: Vandalism of Sign for Planned Mosque

ABC video

Tennessee News Channel 5 Video:

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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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List of Media Reports:

ABC News: “Plan for Mosque in Tennessee Town Draws Criticism from Residents
Murfreesboro Mosque Sparks Debate That at Times Turns Ugly”

Tennessee News Channel 5: Proposed Islamic Center Stirs Up Controversy In Murfreesboro
— Channel 5 Video Link

The Tennessean: Mosque expansion proposal in Murfreesboro spotlights fear, shame

The Tennessean: Murfreesboro mosque opponents pack commission meeting

January 18, 2010: WKRN: Vandals spray paint Murfreesboro Islamic Center sign

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R.E.A.L. Reports:

Tennessee: White Supremacist Nazi Gets 4 Years in Prison for Mosque Firebombing

Tennessee Man Sentenced to 183 Months in Prison for Burning Islamic Center

Tennessee: Vandalism Against Mosque